Some Said It Couldn't Be Done?

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Joe(thebow)M
Master Bowman

Posts: 635
No Commercial Interest
Location: Nebraska

Posted: Wed May 07, 2008 2:44 am Post subject: Some Said It Couldn't Be Done?

I never brought this subject up here on Archers Rest so this post is not about anything anyone offered up information wise from our nice little community here. I just wanted all to know this before I continue. I had noticed on a few other websites (I won't name names or sites nor PM any names or sites to anyone) that a question came up off and on about the use of three different types of wood glued together together to make a longbow. It seems the consensus was it couldn't be done, and if it could be, the bow wouldn't amount to much as there would have been to much use of glue which would slow the bow down. Now I did not take part in these conversations, but I did follow them a bit,,, just enough to find out if some felt it could be done and that a person would have a good workable longbow with good speed. A few thought it possible, but most thought not. Well,,, not to brag but I did it! I built one from Hickory, Ash, and Maple, 72" long - #55 @ 28", test shot it tonight before sealing it with Tru-Oil, and friends, I think it's a fast bow! I will post pictures tomorrow night of this "three wood longbow" as the sealer is still drying at this time and I will be adding a few more coats. The 24 arrows I shot tonight told me enough that the glue (TiteBond III) did not slow "this" long bow in any way IMHO. I think the secret is in the center 3/16" Ash. The maple was used on the front of the bow for backing and the hickory is on the back of the bow with a riser formed into it as the hickory also runs the 72" length of the bow. Granted, many more arrows need shot with this bow to draw a conclussion, but I feel it's a good bow that will give many years of good service. Pictures tomorrow night of this latest longbow. _________________ Joe(thebow)M

Club: White River Brigade
Bow: #38 to #55 @ 28" English Longbow
Sight: None
Arrows: feather fletched wood
Accesories:

Liam
Admin

UK East Mids Area Rep (NFAS)

Posts: 6629
Archery Website Publisher
Location: AR HQ

Posted: Wed May 07, 2008 11:14 am Post subject:

Sounds interesting Joe(thebow) looking forward to the pics _________________ Why not?

Club: Long Eaton Field Archers
Bow: Karel Osage Orange Hungarian Reflex Bow 50lb @ 28"
Sight: Not Brilliant
Arrows: Sitka Spruce 11/32's @ 31"
Accesories: 2 Funny gloves with not enough fingers on them

wintellect
Apprentice Bowman

Posts: 116
No Commercial Interest

Posted: Wed May 07, 2008 1:40 pm Post subject:

Yeah - would be cool to see the pics!!! _________________ It was an 'X' when it left the bow! I'm not responsible for where it chooses to land!

Club: Malden Bowmen
Bow: Hoyt Nexus (Inferno) - Hoyt Stratix limbs
Sight: Cartel K-sight
Arrows: Easton ACC 3L-18/620
Accesories: Beiter stabalisers and everything else

Joe(thebow)M
Master Bowman

Posts: 635
No Commercial Interest
Location: Nebraska

Posted: Wed May 07, 2008 8:27 pm Post subject:

It's an overcast day here, but I thought I better get these pictures taken and posted; #55 @ 28" - 72" Maple backed Hickory longbow with 3/16" Ash center. Click to see full size image Click to see full size image Click to see full size image _________________ Joe(thebow)M

Club: White River Brigade
Bow: #38 to #55 @ 28" English Longbow
Sight: None
Arrows: feather fletched wood
Accesories:

joe croatia
Master Bowman

Posts: 833
No Commercial Interest
Location: tyneside

Posted: Wed May 07, 2008 10:32 pm Post subject:

well done Joe(thebow)M , nice work so when will you start shipping them on this side of the pond joe _________________ A person who never made a mistake never tried anything new!!

Club: Cleadon Archers
Bow: WinstarII-Winstorm Carbon Limbs
Sight: Cartel 2000
Arrows: ACC's
Accesories: SF Elite 92 Quiver,MAC Triad's

Joe(thebow)M
Master Bowman

Posts: 635
No Commercial Interest
Location: Nebraska

Posted: Wed May 07, 2008 11:16 pm Post subject:

Thank you Joe! I don't know if I'm allowed or even set up to ship overseas for certain? I will have to talk with the Post-Master. I certainly would ship overseas if it's possible and if anyone was interested. I wonder what shipping cost would be??? I shot this bow again today. It's one of the heavier pull weights I've done. I do like it. _________________ Joe(thebow)M

Club: White River Brigade
Bow: #38 to #55 @ 28" English Longbow
Sight: None
Arrows: feather fletched wood
Accesories:

pafc1886
Apprentice Bowman

Posts: 178
No Commercial Interest
Location: Devon / Cornwall Border

Posted: Thu May 08, 2008 6:48 am Post subject:

Hi Joe Nice work there mate - can't see the join !! Congrats. Les _________________ Toad Hollow Archers - Loud And Proud !!

Club: Toad Hollow Archers
Bow: Blackbrook Zeta
Sight: Yes Thanks
Arrows: Self-made Woodies
Accesories: Wife

Joe(thebow)M
Master Bowman

Posts: 635
No Commercial Interest
Location: Nebraska

Posted: Thu May 08, 2008 5:57 pm Post subject:

Thank you Les! I rely on the TiteBond III for a good adhesion and I try to make sure my surfaces that will get the glue are as flat as I can get them. However I do give the credit to the glue as it dries slowly so it should be getting absorbed into the wood good. Today or tomorrow I should be getting some spools of flemish that I ordered so I can start making my own bow strings. _________________ Joe(thebow)M

Club: White River Brigade
Bow: #38 to #55 @ 28" English Longbow
Sight: None
Arrows: feather fletched wood
Accesories:

M Hardman
Cub Poster

Posts: 18
No Commercial Interest

Posted: Thu May 08, 2008 6:20 pm Post subject:

Well done on another success! If I understand you correctly, you have laminated three staves of wood together to make a longbow? People said this was not possible? If that was what they said I am very surprised, almost every single longbow I have ever seen has been made from 2, 3, or even 4 laminations of wood. The idea, if you're not familiar with it, is to get a good tensile material on the back of the bow, and a good compressive material on the belly. A horn-wood-sinew bow takes this idea furthest, sinew being able to be stretched twice as far as wood, and horn compressed 5 times as much (if memory serves). If you're planning on laminating more staves, I'd advise bamboo, good bamboo makes an excellent backing. _________________ Mike Hardman

Club:
Bow: Grozer Turkish
Sight: 20/20
Arrows: Whatever I can find
Accesories: Thumbrings galore

Joe(thebow)M
Master Bowman

Posts: 635
No Commercial Interest
Location: Nebraska

Posted: Fri May 09, 2008 12:22 am Post subject:

I found myself scratching my head also with some folks thinking that three woods laminated together wouldn't make a very fast bow, that the bow would be sluggish??? I have not found that to be the case at all, and yes, I to have seen bows with many laminations. The big news today however is that my flemish came, along with my flemish string jig. It's probably a given that you all know what I'll be playing with this weekend. Someday I may give the bamboo backing a try but it's pretty high priced from what I could locate, so for now I'll stick with the maple for backing. I've never had a problem with maple for backing, in fact I like it a lot. _________________ Joe(thebow)M

Club: White River Brigade
Bow: #38 to #55 @ 28" English Longbow
Sight: None
Arrows: feather fletched wood
Accesories:

Steve B
Admin

The Original Archers Rest Webmaster & Co-Admin
Australasia Area Rep (ABA - IFAA)
Posts: 4141
No Commercial Interest
Location: Victoria, Australia

Posted: Fri May 09, 2008 3:20 am Post subject:

Once again your Title is confirmed Joe(the bow)M. Love looking at your pictures and work, both are very good, I am watching your shipping comments with great interest as well Once again a top job

Club: Phoenix Field Archers of Sale. Victoria , Australia
Bow: Bowtech Commander
Sight: Copper John Ants
Arrows: Gold Tip Pro's
Accesories: Carter Just-B-Cuz