Selfbow Secrets
Question how far do your kids bows hit? im 12 and im british.i make my own bows... i just find a neat branch in the local woods and use plaited horsehair for the string (my sis does horse riding).For my arrows I use pheasant tail feathers for the tail, and a sharpend(with a minus headed screwdriver)flint. I can hit a target 86 feet away so am I good or am I bad?

- J Hills 04/17/2007, ID=2858
Answer
The rattan bows will launch a 1/4" arrow a hundred yards. They are nice bows, but you are on the borderline at 12 of finding them too small.

I am impressed with your resourcefulness and your accuracy. I hope you find encouragements from all the adults close to you. If not, write me again with your name and address and I will begin adoption proceedings.


Question Laminated bows: Dean, I have made many laminated bows over the last four years, all of them along the lines of your video. Typically, I use three pieces of material: bamboo or hickory backing, core slat and riser blank. I have noticed that some bowyers, when laying up the bow, like to insert an extra lamination (or several pieces) between the backing (bamboo) and the bow core in the handle area. This piece may only be 1/2" thick in the middle and taper into the limb around the area of the fades. Does this piece serve a purpose other than looking "cool"? Are there any should's or should not's when adding this piece? For instance, how far out into the limbs should it be tapered? Does this cause a hinge in the fade area? As always, I appreciate your time and knowledge you share with us.

- Aaron Williams 04/10/2007, ID=2856
Answer
Using lams allows you to conserve wood by sandwiching marginal pieces of wood between the back and the belly and thereby keeping them out of harm's way. MUlti lam bows do not hold their shape better or perform better, or to my eye look better. Indeed, they depart from craftsmanship and approach engineering to the point that they are lacking only a layer of fiberglass.

On the other hand, the tension in the glue line of the backed bow with one slat bow seems to work to better advantage for cast.


Question will hair from a horse tail make a good bowstring? it's used as a violin bow and works because it is rough. if used as a string for archery, will it "saw" the bowtip off (or weaken it) at the string grooves?

- phil carpenter 04/09/2007, ID=2855
Answer
I don't know the answer, but I know how you can find out.


Question I noticed in your DVD, HOB, that you use a block plane to thin your stock and then a toothing plane to groove the surface for gluing. I have an inexpensive Stanley block plane from HD that just makes a mess of everything I work on. What type of plane and No. do you recommend for thinning bamboo and other general stock? Any pointers on setting the plane up correctly and sharpening it? Thanks again.

- Aaron Williams 04/06/2007, ID=2854
Answer
Bamboo is very hard on sharp blades and the plane irons in block planes are not up to the task. I've replaced all of mine with better irons. Woodcraft Supply sells the Hock replacement blades, and though they are expensive, around $30, they are good. There are others around, too, all of them better than the original blade. I have a Hock and a Samurai, or a name similar to that. It is cheaper and every bit as good as the Hock.

You probably require a sharpening jig to get the most out of your plane iron. It really needs to be sharp, sharper than any broadhead you'd hunt with. There are several on the market from these same stores. Shop around and pick up one that will suit your needs. I like the Veritas.


Question Hello Dean, I have your video Hunting the Bamboo Backed Bow and wonder how many grains of resin and hardener do you use to glue the bamboo back on the osage stave? I would hate to be a teaspoon short when glueing or a 1/4 cup too much wasted. Thanks

- Jack Lea 03/22/2007, ID=2852
Answer
Jack, what works for me may not work for you. I have an artist's palette knife with a slightly concave edge filed into it that allows me to trowel on the thinnest wet coat of glue I can manage (on both mating surfaces). If you don't do that, you'll fall quite short using my mix.

However, what's important to understand is that Urac has such a slow set-up time that if you do fall short, just mix more quickly and continue where you left off. So take a good guess at the volume and mix up a batch. Have everything at the ready behind you in case you need to come back for more. Then record the amount you used for future reference.





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Dean Torges
Be sure to visit Dean Torges's Website - Dean Torges is well-known to new and experienced self-bowyers. He is the author of Hunting the Osage Bow along with numerous articles, selfbow-tools, and videos.