I have been working on a flat bow (for archery) for about 2 months now. Not 2 months solid, mind, but a few hours on the weekends. All told I had about 14 hours into it.
Now here is the kicker. I got done shaping it, sanding it, sanding again and checking and rechecking my work. Everyone said it was very pretty for a first time bow maker (a bow maker is known as a bowyer).
I string it up with a string I also made myself with the help of a guild master string dude, and pull it back about 10 inches, and not only does it break, but it breaks in 2 places. Both the limbs came completely off.
So, what did I learn from this experience? Well, for starters, I’m going to be checking that the wood grain is going the correct way. Second, even though I spent 14 hours on it, I think it was a bit rushed. I will take my time next time and do it (hopefully) right.
Although, I thought I did it right this time, so that may not count for too much next time. At least I didn’t get a splinter in my eye. So I guess that’s something.
-Cheers
I had a bow-and-arrow set a while ago. It wasn’t handmade though.
So does the grain of the wood have to be parallel to the length of the bow?
Yes. If you think of plywood, the laminate sheets have to face the back and front of the bow. In this case the grain was 90 degrees the wrong way.