[grumpy]

in reply to: ASH #46729

So much for Ash 001. I made Ash 002 with the beefier riser and also got some insight into the delaminating. As you recall from building the bow, I used the plastic shot glasses to mix the resin. I think I stepped on the plastic shot glasses. Not sure, but somehow they are gone. The directions on the can said to use paper cups, so I was using Dixie bathroom cups. Well, when I called 3M (guys that make the stuff) they said NOT to use waxed cups. Apparently that was the problem. I used cupcake liners (no wax) and ASH 002 is strong and has shown no sign of delaminating. Haven’t actually measured the pull, but it is the strongest bow I have made yet. I was barely able to pull it the first time. Sanding the excess resin/fiberglass brought it down a bit, and since I’ve been shooting it about a week, the arm/shoulder/back muscles are getting stronger. Still feels like work, but should be fine in a few weeks. Shooting several dozen arrows every night and the groups are getting closer, and tighter. 😀

Working on backup bows for both me and Audrey with Oak risers, and Ash limbs. When I have the time, I’ll post pics.

Farmer friend said I am welcome to hunt on his land (and his neighbors) and have scouted 3 Wildlife Management Areas. I know where the deer are, now if I can be there at the same time the are…

[grumpy]

in reply to: Best Natural Cover Scents #42110

But is the predator scent from what we eat or are we born with it along with canine teeth?

[grumpy]

in reply to: 7 year spike #41600

Great story. Good to see you can share your failures along with successes. We need more of that. In any endeavor, the experts suffered through all of the failures you have and became experts through persistence. Learning from their mistakes, and having the courage to go out there and make more mistakes. Those who tell us only the successful stories are not telling the whole tory.

[grumpy]

in reply to: Unintended predator call? #41592

Bats on a fly rod. Actually I was on a fly fishing forum 10 or 15 years ago, and the subject came up. Think about it: the trout and bats are eating the same mayfly, and your imitation is good enough to fool the trout. It is flying around in the air among the bats. What could be more natural than catching one of the bats? Yet when it happens (and it happens ALL of the time) its one god awful surprise. Gory details are not Archery, so you can use your imagination. Anything your imagination can come up with has happened. 🙄

[grumpy]

in reply to: Arrows #39668

If wood was good enough for Fred Bear, it s good enough for me.:D

[grumpy]

in reply to: Unintended predator call? #38385

NO, but you can catch bats with a fly rod…

[grumpy]

in reply to: Eye Glasses for Archery? #38376

Nice hat.

[grumpy]

in reply to: Eye Glasses for Archery? #35798

I asked Laura (awesome frame mechanic, not noted for tact & diplomacy) “What the hell!! Tell him to get different frames.” I also asked Dr. Dave. “You will get better image definition if you look through the center of the lens. Doe’s he have a problem turning his head.” Neither are archers, but we tried to duplicate the problem you are talking about. Smaller lenses, a smaller bridge, and.. turn your head??

[grumpy]

in reply to: What ya got goin? #33348

Didn’t know they had elk in Idaho. Thought it was just potatoes?? Do Elk eat potatoes??

[grumpy]

in reply to: ASH #30033

ANOTHER ONE BITES THE DUST!!!!:(

The riser wasn’t strong enough. It split and split the ash with it. OK, the riser was only 1/4″ thick, which is the thinnest riser I have made yet, and was oak (brittle). Next one I’m going to use 2 pieces of 1/4″ epoxied together. That way it should not split. I’m also going to get the G FLEX Epoxy. It’s pricey. $60 for a qt. vs $10 for the stuff at the big box store. Again, I have the feeling I could have bought a bow for a lot less than I have spent, and I am REALLY glad I’m not keeping track of how much this is costing. On the other hand, I want a bow that pulls over 40# AT MY DRAW LENGTH (22″), and shorter than I am (5′).

[grumpy]

in reply to: Let's See Your Fletching #26820

They look a lot like our arrows. Bet the rattiest arrow is the most accurate.:D

[grumpy]

in reply to: Eye Glasses for Archery? #26814

To give some perspective… I don’t remember ever being without glasses. I’ve never had the problem you are describing. Are you sure it is your glasses, and not your nose?

I work for a eye doctor. Have known him for 25 years or so. Thus I haven’t paid for an eye exam in 25 years.

When I started working on slate roofs, he took away the bifocals, as I couldn’t see my feet. Yes, I have titanium frames, and bullet proof lenses, you should too. That is a big safety thing, and goes for any climbing (rocks). I can almost read without glasses, thus have reading glasses.

My big brother got contacts, went out and used the chain saw… If you have warn glasses forever the reflexes to prevent eye injury don’t work as well. He had to go back to the eye doc to get the wood chips out.

I would suggest you go back to the place where you got your glasses, and show them the problem. They should be able to adjust them or find a frame that doesn’t interfere. No charge to adjust, and most insurance allow 2 sets of glasses (frame & lenses) every 2 years. If you could stop by our office either Laura (our glasses mechanic), could adjust them, or Nancy could find a frame.

I’ll ask them tomorrow to see if we have solved this for other archers.

[grumpy]

in reply to: ASH #26738

You got it right Pothunter. Actually the boss (or one of them) looked over my shoulder and winked.

We have success!!!! Trimmed it, and shot a dozen arrows. No bulls eyes, but they were all within 8″ of the bulls eye (35′). Haven’t measured the draw weight, but it is the strongest I have made, and that is over 40. You can tell it is hitting the target harder by the THWACK, and the arrows just look like they are going faster. Do we call that DEAD ANIMAL??? Some things I don’t like about the riser, but I have 5 ash blanks, left. Now, I will make some effort to make it pretty.:D

[grumpy]

in reply to: ASH #26308

Monday morning at work… I do not want to be here!!

IT WORKED!!!! Shot well, with no weak spots in the limbs, no delamination, no loss of recurv. Didn’t sand it completely, just trimmed the f’glass enough to string and shoot it. Guessing it pulled at around 35 to 40#. Not enough. I added more f’glass, and we will see if the ASH will allow me to break the 40# wall. I would really like to be home trimming the F’glass and shooting it to see if it works. Taking a risk here as I am not supposed to go into web sites on this ‘puter, but How doe’s ANTBODY expect me to concentrate on work at a time like this?? UT OH we have a problem….

[grumpy]

in reply to: ASH #24642

OK, I’ve shaped the bow, steamed/bent the recurves, and the fiberglass is on. Tomorrow I’ll trim the fiberglass, shape the riser, and put a string on it. THEN… I’m really feeling good about this. The ash is more resilient than the oak, thus I shouldn’t have the breakage I’ve been seeing. Seems like there is a wall I keep hitting at 45#. If I make the bow any stronger than that, the oak breaks. Sometimes at the recurve, sometimes at the riser, sometimes in the middle of the limb. Tried changing the recurve to no avail. Stronger riser didn’t work either.

I think I’ve solved the delamination problem I had last week. I used my brush to get the resin out of my measuring cup, before adding the hardener. Thus when I put the resin on the bow, the brush was loaded with resin with no hardener. Seems dumb, right? YOU would never do that, would you! Well, now that I’ve made a fool of myself, I guess not. 😀

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