[Stephen Graf]

in reply to: PVC Kids Bow Build-Along #133216

Before I get started, I need to acknowledge and thank Nicholas Tomihama.  Nick has a YouTube channel called “Backyard Bowyer” which details how he makes PVC bows.  If you look at his channel, you will need to go back a few years to see bow work as his newer efforts have moved into other areas.  I bought his book titled Simple PVC Pipe Bows from which I learned most of the basics.  If you want to round out your understanding of making these bows, I encourage you to look at his work.

[Stephen Graf]

in reply to: PVC Kids Bow Build-Along #133215

Copy that.  All the pictures I took were high resolution.  I cropped them and reduced resolution for the forum.  I can provide original pictures as required.

Will you be able to attach a PDF to this thread like we did with the sanding block thread?

[Stephen Graf]

in reply to: Gluing nocks #133150

That’s a nice knot too Ralph!

Skinner don’t forget that when you draw the bow, the double nock-sets are closer together than when the bow is at brace.  So you need to set them so that the arrow nock is loose between them when the bow is at rest.  Otherwise one of the nock-sets has to slip as the bow comes to full draw.

[Stephen Graf]

in reply to: Gluing nocks #133117

I tie my nock-set to the string using the knot described in this video:

To keep it from slipping, I use a smaller string than I use to serve the bow.  So I generally serve the string with a 0.21″ diameter serving and tie the nock-set with 0.18″ diameter serving.  Sometimes I just use left over string material.  I wax the entire length of string before beginning to tie the knot.  The wax helps get a tight knot, and seems to help lock the knot to the string.

That said, if it does slip I wrap the serving above the knot with some ordinary button thread and put a dab of titebond glue on it.

[Stephen Graf]

in reply to: What ya got goin'? 2 #133090

There is nothing better than an afternoon nap!  I always count a hunting trip successful if I manage to bag one (or two)  🙂

[Stephen Graf]

in reply to: New Backpack Quiver #133011

Sorry Jim.  But I may redeem myself here soon.  I gave away my supply of kids bows/quivers this summer and need to rebuild inventory.  To that end I’ve got a few bows and quivers in the works and have been taking pictures as I go.  I thought I might do a build along for them that care.

[Stephen Graf]

in reply to: My tab is noisy? #133010

In the first volume of the video series Masters of the Bare Bow, Roger Rothhaar shows how he shoots bare fingered.  He builds up the serving to make it easier on the fingers.

I tried it.  Didn’t like it.  I do like a Damascus glove, which is the next best thing to bare fingers.

These days though, I shoot a hard hill style glove.  Takes some getting used to, but nothing gives as clean a release imo.

[Stephen Graf]

in reply to: What ya got goin'? 2 #132991

First acorns!!!  Seems early, but there were some real beauties under two trees which were on opposite sides of the mountain.  One on the east, one on the west.  Both dropping a bunch, and most eaten by deer.  Nice to see, except by the time deer season gets here, they will be tired of acorns already.

Had a spike stroll through my shooting range the other morning.  He couldn’t care less that I was standing there.  I had the wind in my favor, and so I got to watch him browse through for 5 minutes or so.  When he was 60 yards away, I started shooting again.  Didn’t seem to bother him one bit.

[Stephen Graf]

in reply to: New Backpack Quiver #132908

The hole in the side for retrieving the arrow.  I drop them in the top, and pull from the side.  It may be hard to tell in the picture, but pulling an arrow from the top would be hard on the old shoulders.

No glue used in the quiver, just stitching.  No wet forming, just cut and sew.

[Stephen Graf]

in reply to: Draw Weight #132496

It is possible that your brace height has decreased.

 

Might want to check that.  If your brace height has decreased it would explain the low draw weight and the stiff arrow behavior.

[Stephen Graf]

in reply to: New Backpack Quiver #132495

The long and short of it is that, like usual, no elk were harmed in the making of that hunt.  But we did see more elk on this trip than I’ve seen in all the trips of the last 10 years or so combined.  It did seem like, for a while, I might have a run it with a cow, but then a rifle hunter popped out at the bottom of the drainage and the herd shied away.

This was our first time in this spot and all we could get was over-the-counter tags for the 2nd gun season.  Tough stuff for a bow hunter.  If it were not for my upcoming Appalachian Trail hike,  I would be making plans for a hunt there this fall during the warmer bow season.  I decided to hold off on any trips between now and when we leave for the trail in March (well all but one trip to VA for deer this fall) as its just to hard to keep things up being gone too much.  Need to have the place in tip-top shape before leaving so the wife doesn’t have to work too hard holding down the fort.

It snowed on us for 4 days straight on this trip.  This was my first thunder snow storm.  Crazy to see lightening and snow together.  The following picture is from camp before the first thunder-snow.

[Stephen Graf]

in reply to: Looking for ideas for a kids archery class #132422

Make PVC bows.  Easy, fun, and cheap.  Can be done with just hand tools, except for heat gun.  There is a thread on here somewhere showing some bows I made with my nephews at the beach a few years ago…  Maybe called “beach bows” or something.

 

Kids seem way more interested and committed when they are shooting a real bow they made.  Dang lot o fun.

[Stephen Graf]

in reply to: What ya got goin'? 2 #132385

Oh I hope you don’t bust it….. Enjoy the good life!

[Stephen Graf]

in reply to: ETAR: WE ARE COMING!!!!! #132177

Sounds like you folks are gonna have a good time!

[Stephen Graf]

in reply to: ETAR: WE ARE COMING!!!!! #132161

I’m sorry to hear about your soggy brain but on the bright side, it does make a capital excuse for the occasional miss.  I sure hope the surgery takes care of it.  Good Luck!

And have fun at ETAR.  I have never been as things are just to busy around here this time of year.  But I hope to one of these years.  It looks like it would be a LOT of fun.  And good luck getting some ideas from the vendors there.

If you get a chance, post some pictures of the bows you are making 🙂

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