[mole]

There have been a few posts about bows in the last few weeks here. I think all were concerning fiberglass recurves. This is to remind people of another/cheaper alternative. The wooden selfbow. Yesterday I got my girlfriend's sister to take a few photos of the bow I made for my girlfriend. The bow is made from a red oak 1x2 that cost $6.01 at Lowes including tax. The string is one I twisted up in about 20 minutes and cost about $.50 in material. The riser (handle) is a peice of scrap poplar that was lying around. You can literally walk into Lowes/Home Depot in the morning and be shooting your bow in the evening. This one is 64 inches long, 1 1/2 inches wide at the widest, and pulls 40 pounds at 25 inches. It's not a high tech bow, but shoots very sweetly. It was the third bow I made, so it's not my best.

Front profile
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z239/borwish/DSC01742.jpg?t=1178226725

Side profile
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z239/borwish/DSC01744.jpg?t=1178226825

Braced
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z239/borwish/DSC01745.jpg?t=1178226938

Approaching full draw
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z239/borwish/DSC01748.jpg?t=1178227029

The full draw picture got lost somewhere along the way. This bow was made with only handtools.

[CJ]

How about some step-by-step instructions (or where to find a decent set)?

[Dave McCracken]

Nice job. Tiller and fistmele look good and the lines are nice.

The Traditional Bowyer's Bible, volumes I-III have a lot of input on various styles of bows.

I note this one has a touch of string follow already. Gluing a backing on it, if done correctly, can reduce that and extend the life of the bow.

[mole]

Here are three different versions I found that start with a red oak board. I didn't use these, but they seem like they would work. I based mine from the reading of The Bowyer's Bibles. A 4th volume is in the works now and is scheduled to be released next year according to Jim Hamm and Tim Baker.

You are obviously correct about the string follow. It has 1 1/4 inches of just unbraced string follow with about 200 shots put through it so far. It may look like more in the photo, but the bow is tilted. I find that be very acceptable. The bow also has a positive tiller. Thanks for the compliments.

http://residents.bowhunting.net/sticknstring/brdbows.html

http://www.angelfire.com/magic/jawge/boardbowbuildalong.html

http://p081.ezboard.com/fpaleoplanet69529frm52.showMessage?topicID=12.topic

[coelacanth]

I like your design but the backing idea is spot on. What spine and taper on your arrows?

[mole]

I don't taper my shafts---not yet anyway. The above bow likes arrows spined in at 35-40#. My bows range from 40 to 70# and take a variety of spines. The shafts are 5/16 oak and poplar(for the lighter bows) dowel rods from Lowes. You'll have to go through a lot of dowels to find a dozen good ones. I use commerially processed turkey feathers and tie them on with thread. This is all keeping in line with the "anybody can do/afford this" theme. 500 points to whoever guesses what the tips are.

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z239/borwish/DSC01751.jpg?t=1178592702

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z239/borwish/DSC01732.jpg?t=1178593672

[Cosmoline]

I had an awesome St. Charles yew selfbow years ago, but foolishly sold it off when a profitable offer came my way. I really want one again. They're the purest of bows.

Aren't those bass from a .30 carbine?

[The Undertoad]

Tips look like spent .22mag shells?

edit to add:

I didn't look close enough, .30 carbine is a better guess Cosmoline :)

[mole]

Darn that was quick. They are indeed .30 carbine. 500 points go to Cosmoline.

[Cosmoline]

It's just the application of a little simple mathematics and a decade of obsessive reading of "Cartridges of the World."

Do I win a selfbow ;-)

[coelacanth]

but you DO win your very own .30 cal carbine field point - :D

[Cosmoline]

Are those rated to bring down large plush toys?

[coelacanth]

:D

[RancidSumo]

It looks like you did a good job on that bow. I would have to see it up close to check the grain but it looks like it was done right. Make sure all the grain runs straight up and down or it will break. Thats what happened to my bow that I bought two years ago, I went to shoot it and it snapped when I pulled it back. It really pissed me off. I guess I'll just have to stick to my compound for now.