Ok, I have thought about this for a bit and have decided to try to get
away from my modern manufacture recurve.  I have two plans, one
involves building a crossbow, the other involves making a long bow.  I
intend to try both, but as I dont currently have the hundred or so
dollars to spend on metal bits of a crossbow and lack the metal
working skills to build them myself, I have decided to make a long
bow.  Problem is I have NO clue whatsoever as to how to go about
this.  I have seen several postings about where to purchase a basic
stave from, but where do I go from there?  Any ideas or sources would
be greatly appreciated.

Ranulf

--- In SCA-Archery@yahoogroups.com, "logantheboweyder"
<logantheboweyder@...> wrote:
>
> Any luck with thrown weapons?

I'll be ordering a set of knives after the first of the year.  I have
already looked at several backstops that would work in the basement and
can be stored out of the way.

Back to the the topic.  I appreciate the feedback and will get shooting
after this little cold snap.  It appears mother nature knew I wanted to
shoot and gave the tempatures a nudge down out of my comfort zone.

--- In SCA-Archery@yahoogroups.com, "logantheboweyder"
<logantheboweyder@...> wrote:
>
> Any luck with thrown weapons?
>

Ranulf,

May I say congratulations on taking the step!

1. Pickup the three books in the "Bowyer's Bible" series.
2. Go to "3riversarchery<dot>com" at the link below, they have several
"how-to" videos.
http://www.3riversarchery.com/Thumb.asp?c=4&s=89&p=57
3. Get yourself a good spokeshave, a good rasp, a good 4" blade lockback
knife, and a small (1/8") round file.
That is a basic toolset that you can build a bow from.

To get from rough stave to a rough bow shape, it is advantagous to have
a nice bandsaw also.

Where are you located?

Godwin
===========================

Ok, I have thought about this for a bit and have decided to try to get
away from my modern manufacture recurve. I have two plans, one
involves building a crossbow, the other involves making a long bow. I
intend to try both, but as I dont currently have the hundred or so
dollars to spend on metal bits of a crossbow and lack the metal
working skills to build them myself, I have decided to make a long
bow. Problem is I have NO clue whatsoever as to how to go about
this. I have seen several postings about where to purchase a basic
stave from, but where do I go from there? Any ideas or sources would
be greatly appreciated.

Ranulf

There is a tutorial in the files section I believe on building your
own longbow (not a true ELB though). But I understand that English
Longbows are bit more difficult then flatbows to tiller.
I'm not saying that you can't do it. But if this is going to be one of
your first bow-building experiences, it may not be the best starter
project. I sort of think it's analogous someone going to a drag race,
and the next day saying "I've never worked on a car, what's the first
step to build myself a dragster?"

With all of my earnest, I would suggest that you start off by owning a
pre-made longbow from a bowyer. That way you can understand what the
taper is like, what the bow feels like, draws like and shoots. They
are a different animal from a recurve or flatbow.

Then I would suggest that, you buy an "unfinished stave". These are
bows where, a bowyer has selected the stave for you and made the
initial rough cuts. You must finish by narrowing the limbs to your
desired draw weight, sanding, sealing and cutting or adding horn nocks.
In effect, you are doing all of the real "work", but they are selling
you something that you can only learn with years of trial and error;
finding a suitable bow stave. At this stage, you should have read a
book or two on building a bow so you understand things like what it
means when the bow is starting to hinge or what to do if the bow
starts to twist on you as you are shapping the limbs or tillering.

Once you are able to make a suitable bow from an unifinished stave, I
would then suggest that you attempt to build your own bow from
scratch. Selecting your own stave, testing it's moisture content, and
buying all of the tools necessary to shave the stave into a suitable
bow. (The last draw knife I purchased was like $54! The tools are a
major investment for a bowyer). An expert bowyer with years of
experience, building hundreds of bows occasionally does everything
right, can spend weeks building a beautiful bow that just doesn't
shoot well.

A case in point is a tale I heard from someone that ordered a bow
from, do not quote me on this, but I believe it was from Jay
St.Charles. The bow took a very long time (I believe it was 3-6
months). When the cutomer got the bow, there was a note appologizing
for the delay, as well as a second bow, a twin of the other. But the
first bow, though looking quite finished was snapped in twain. It
seems that bowyer was disatisfied with the bow's performance, and
himself had snapped the bow stave over his knee rather then send a bow
that did not behave as a $600 bow should. He then had to start over
from scratch to make a bow suitable to his reputation. He then sent
both to the buyer as proof of his dedication to the craft.

The reason that I suggest that you do not jump head-long into building
your own longbow is that even if you do everything by the book, you
still miss some of the intrinsics of bow-building that you can only
understand by owning a correctly made bow in the first place. You may
go through several bow staves before you even got a bow that will not
snap or will even pull the weight you are aiming for. Also, the tools
are not astronomical cost, but the basic ones will cost you about the
same as a finished bow all-together ($100-$150), plus the cost of
several staves and your time to manufacture it.

That's my "glass is half empty" bit of advice.

Also, though I like not to advertise for people I have never dealt
with, but I really like the looks and cost of the english longbows at
Rudderbows. They do not bend through the handle, but I like their
taper. The limbs appear the same dimensions as on my $450 victorian
bow and my $600 yew (following the 5/8ths rule). They also show the
bows at full-draw, so you can see the circumscribed view of the bow.
Which is something a lot of bowyers do not do.
Honestly, I don't see how they can produce the bows at $125-
$150/piece, but I plan on buying one sometime this coming year.
(assuming they don't go out of business from selling their bows so
inexpensively).
-Cian

--- In SCA-Archery@yahoogroups.com, "ranulfmayle" <ranulfmayle@...>
wrote:
  I have decided to make a long
> bow.
>

Bowyers bible Vol 1-4

Damales



   _____

From: SCA-Archery@yahoogroups.com [mailto:SCA-Archery@yahoogroups.com] On
Behalf Of ranulfmayle
Sent: Tuesday, December 26, 2006 2:11 AM
To: SCA-Archery@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [SCA-Archery] Long bow



Ok, I have thought about this for a bit and have decided to try to get
away from my modern manufacture recurve. I have two plans, one
involves building a crossbow, the other involves making a long bow. I
intend to try both, but as I dont currently have the hundred or so
dollars to spend on metal bits of a crossbow and lack the metal
working skills to build them myself, I have decided to make a long
bow. Problem is I have NO clue whatsoever as to how to go about
this. I have seen several postings about where to purchase a basic
stave from, but where do I go from there? Any ideas or sources would
be greatly appreciated.

Ranulf





[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Hey Ranulf

Well there are many ways to go about this. I would suggest you read the
bowyers bibles too. I have em and they are great but limited, we have made
soo many advances in the srt of bowmaking in recent years due to the
internet and all the shareing of learning going on.

Something I would suggest you do too is to read
http://p081.ezboard.com/fpaleoplanet69529frm52.showMessage?topicID=12.topic

And then spend time at paleoplanet browsing the rest of the archery site.

As for tools. What Godwin said is true but if I might expand a bit on it, I
do Not suggest you use a bandsaw yet, it allows you to make mistakes too
fast to understand what you have done wrong. I have seen it happen to me and
others too soon in the evolution of a bowyer. You end up making firewood all
too often.

For tools, I like good rasps, always buy Nicholsohn rasps, they are the
best. The best you can get are the patternmakers rasps #49 and #50 but they
are 50+ bucks each. To start I suggest 2 cheeper models, the wood workers
rasp and the 4 way rasp. That will give you fine and medium cutting surfaces
that are the mainstay of my shapeing tools. If you have the strength to use
it and a secure place to clamp the stave, a farriers rasp will also come in
handy but it is very big and very course and takes some skill to use well.

For shapeing and heavy rough work a draw knife works well if you have one or
can find one but it also requires a solid clamping system and Draw knives
are neither common nor cheep. I suggest you find yourself a light camp
hatchet and grind a single bevel on the blade so that you can shave and chop
carefully to shape. Axes and hatchets come generally with a double bevel
ground on the blade to facilitate cutting down trees and splitting wood and
it is a much more durable edge but for carving, the dbl bevel will skip off
the work rather than cut in unless you take a steep cutting angle which of
course makes it hard to trim and shape well. If you don't know how to do
this, take it to a knife sharpener or a local carver to do it for you. If
you are right handed then you need to grind the blade so that the left side
is the flat side. I know this makes no sense now but if you think about it
it will. In truth it is my primary roughing tool not a bandsaw and it works
well.

Spokeshaves will come into play in the tillering of your bow and they are
one of the best tools for the job but take a lot of practice to work well
and they do not work well if the wood grain is squirrely. Here I suggest you
get something called cabinet scrapers and learn how to sharpen them. They
work well, are cheap, possibly the cheepest tools you will be using and once
you understand how they work, will be amazed at what you can do with them. A
knife blade works simmilarly but not nearly as well and a knife blade dulls
fast. Another choice is something called the Bowyers edge
http://www.bowyersedge.com/stock.html  but it is also quite spendy but it
will prove to be the best fine working tool you ever own. Don't think you
need it now but plan on it if you spend time and effort to become a better
bowyer.

There is a Nicholsohn round file you should also get, a 3/32" 8 inch round
rasp, rather than the 1/8 inch round file. It works sooo much better at
making nocks it will amaze you.

As for wood, don't buy staves yet. They are not cheep and you WILL ruin a
few before you get skilled. And don't bother cutting down trees just yet, Go
to a lumber yard, such as a place that deal with cabinetmakers lumber not
construction lumber. Talk to the wood guy in charge and tell him what you
are doing. You need straight grained, hardwood and if you can find what is
called quartersawn lumber then all the better.
Read this article which will describe the process better than I can.
  http://p081.ezboard.com/fpaleoplanet69529frm52.showMessage?topicID=2.topic

You can sometimes find a good single piece of red oak or maple or something
at your local hardware store but it is a needle in a haystack but do not buy
the exspensive lumber. It is not worth it.

If I can help further then let me know

Ragi





-----Original Message-----
From: SCA-Archery@yahoogroups.com [mailto:SCA-Archery@yahoogroups.com] On
Behalf Of Godwin FitzGilbert de Strigoil
Sent: Tuesday, December 26, 2006 10:01 AM
To: SCA-Archery LIst
Subject: [SCA-Archery] Re: Longbow

Ranulf,

May I say congratulations on taking the step!

1. Pickup the three books in the "Bowyer's Bible" series.
2. Go to "3riversarchery<dot>com" at the link below, they have several
"how-to" videos.
http://www.3riversarchery.com/Thumb.asp?c=4&s=89&p=57
3. Get yourself a good spokeshave, a good rasp, a good 4" blade lockback
knife, and a small (1/8") round file.
That is a basic toolset that you can build a bow from.

To get from rough stave to a rough bow shape, it is advantagous to have
a nice bandsaw also.

Where are you located?

Godwin
===========================

Ok, I have thought about this for a bit and have decided to try to get
away from my modern manufacture recurve. I have two plans, one
involves building a crossbow, the other involves making a long bow. I
intend to try both, but as I dont currently have the hundred or so
dollars to spend on metal bits of a crossbow and lack the metal
working skills to build them myself, I have decided to make a long
bow. Problem is I have NO clue whatsoever as to how to go about
this. I have seen several postings about where to purchase a basic
stave from, but where do I go from there? Any ideas or sources would
be greatly appreciated.

Ranulf


--
[Email to SCA-Archery-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com to leave this list]

Yahoo! Groups Links

Wow  Cian such uncommon verbosity. ;)

I have to mention though that one need not jump into bowmaking and start
with a yew longbow. I am not entirely ready to play with yew yet and I have
been doing this for years. And he did not say he wanted an ELB anyways. He
simply wanted a longbow. Red oak, or White Ash or Rock maple will suit him
fine. And buy his name, Ranulf, he sounds like a norse persona so a horn
nocked ELB style is not appropriate anyways.

Cheep lumber staves will not set him back bazzilions of dollars and  making
a first longbow is not hard. The model I suggest takes me about 4 hours to
make and is a simple design based on a simple native American white wood bow
among other influences. It is what I teach people to make first off and is
much easier to make than a flat bow.

The post I just made offers him some basic info he can start with right off.
Your right he does need to learn what a bow is supposed to look and feel
like but that does not mean he needs give up the idea of starting now.

Merry Christmas or happy Yule Cian and don't be so glum.

Ragi

-----Original Message-----
From: SCA-Archery@yahoogroups.com [mailto:SCA-Archery@yahoogroups.com] On
Behalf Of Cian of Storvik
Sent: Tuesday, December 26, 2006 10:21 AM
To: SCA-Archery@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [SCA-Archery] longbow learning curve was Re: Long bow

There is a tutorial in the files section I believe on building your
own longbow (not a true ELB though). But I understand that English
Longbows are bit more difficult then flatbows to tiller.
I'm not saying that you can't do it. But if this is going to be one of
your first bow-building experiences, it may not be the best starter
project. I sort of think it's analogous someone going to a drag race,
and the next day saying "I've never worked on a car, what's the first
step to build myself a dragster?"

With all of my earnest, I would suggest that you start off by owning a
pre-made longbow from a bowyer. That way you can understand what the
taper is like, what the bow feels like, draws like and shoots. They
are a different animal from a recurve or flatbow.

Then I would suggest that, you buy an "unfinished stave". These are
bows where, a bowyer has selected the stave for you and made the
initial rough cuts. You must finish by narrowing the limbs to your
desired draw weight, sanding, sealing and cutting or adding horn nocks.
In effect, you are doing all of the real "work", but they are selling
you something that you can only learn with years of trial and error;
finding a suitable bow stave. At this stage, you should have read a
book or two on building a bow so you understand things like what it
means when the bow is starting to hinge or what to do if the bow
starts to twist on you as you are shapping the limbs or tillering.

Once you are able to make a suitable bow from an unifinished stave, I
would then suggest that you attempt to build your own bow from
scratch. Selecting your own stave, testing it's moisture content, and
buying all of the tools necessary to shave the stave into a suitable
bow. (The last draw knife I purchased was like $54! The tools are a
major investment for a bowyer). An expert bowyer with years of
experience, building hundreds of bows occasionally does everything
right, can spend weeks building a beautiful bow that just doesn't
shoot well.

A case in point is a tale I heard from someone that ordered a bow
from, do not quote me on this, but I believe it was from Jay
St.Charles. The bow took a very long time (I believe it was 3-6
months). When the cutomer got the bow, there was a note appologizing
for the delay, as well as a second bow, a twin of the other. But the
first bow, though looking quite finished was snapped in twain. It
seems that bowyer was disatisfied with the bow's performance, and
himself had snapped the bow stave over his knee rather then send a bow
that did not behave as a $600 bow should. He then had to start over
from scratch to make a bow suitable to his reputation. He then sent
both to the buyer as proof of his dedication to the craft.

The reason that I suggest that you do not jump head-long into building
your own longbow is that even if you do everything by the book, you
still miss some of the intrinsics of bow-building that you can only
understand by owning a correctly made bow in the first place. You may
go through several bow staves before you even got a bow that will not
snap or will even pull the weight you are aiming for. Also, the tools
are not astronomical cost, but the basic ones will cost you about the
same as a finished bow all-together ($100-$150), plus the cost of
several staves and your time to manufacture it.

That's my "glass is half empty" bit of advice.

Also, though I like not to advertise for people I have never dealt
with, but I really like the looks and cost of the english longbows at
Rudderbows. They do not bend through the handle, but I like their
taper. The limbs appear the same dimensions as on my $450 victorian
bow and my $600 yew (following the 5/8ths rule). They also show the
bows at full-draw, so you can see the circumscribed view of the bow.
Which is something a lot of bowyers do not do.
Honestly, I don't see how they can produce the bows at $125-
$150/piece, but I plan on buying one sometime this coming year.
(assuming they don't go out of business from selling their bows so
inexpensively).
-Cian

--- In SCA-Archery@yahoogroups.com, "ranulfmayle" <ranulfmayle@...>
wrote:
  I have decided to make a long
> bow.
>





--
[Email to SCA-Archery-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com to leave this list]

Yahoo! Groups Links

Does anyone have any sources on the use of sights on medieval
crossbows? I know they
were used on stone bows and have seen photos of the current replica
crossbows used in
Italian Crossbow Federation competitions. And there is the sighting
system using your
thumb joint on top of ramp attached to the top of the stock behind
the nut. But, are there
any other documented examples of sights, front or rear, used on
period, pre 1600,
crossbows?

Jon

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

You're right. I did go off on a tangent abut ELBs. And most of my
warning is regarding the difficulty in making an ELB, which even
though looks like a very simplistic bow can be frought with problems.
(most self wood bows can be fabricated very fast, in a few hours in
fact).

I have heard of people making very suitable flat bows, and even stave
bows right off the bat that work just fine to launch an arrow. But, I
still believe it is a lot more work and investment then some bargain
for to make your own bow, even when you have most of the tools
required and a shop to do it in. And occasionally a person will try to
reinvent the wheel, when they live next to a wheel factory.

I agree with Ragi that PALEO PLANET is a great resource to reference
for help, especially if you don't mind taking pictures of your work as
you go along. The experienced bowyers can often spot potential hinges
or areas in need of more attention just from a couple of photographs.
-Cian

Ranulf
I am in a similar position! I want to build a crossbow, several in fact. I
also have several traditional bows in mind. That is not counting several
band guns, my wife will be fighting rapier. I do have allot of metal working
experience (A rated journeyman machinist),
I am very new to SCA (in Sept. I asked someone what is SCA when it came up
in conversation). I am planning to start with arrow making then build a bow
or two then target xbows. After that I will evaluate my interest and
concentrate there.

Here are 2 web sites that may help.
Spoke shave
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=39917

This looks like a reasonable approach to making a board bow. I am thinking
about sinew rather than dry wall tape and no step unless it is for my kids.

http://www.geocities.com/salampsio/index.html

Skyper Anders

----- Original Message -----
From: "ranulfmayle" <ranulfmayle@...>
To: <SCA-Archery@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Tuesday, December 26, 2006 3:10 AM
Subject: [SCA-Archery] Long bow


> Ok, I have thought about this for a bit and have decided to try to get
> away from my modern manufacture recurve.  I have two plans, one
> involves building a crossbow, the other involves making a long bow.  I
> intend to try both, but as I dont currently have the hundred or so
> dollars to spend on metal bits of a crossbow and lack the metal
> working skills to build them myself, I have decided to make a long
> bow.  Problem is I have NO clue whatsoever as to how to go about
> this.  I have seen several postings about where to purchase a basic
> stave from, but where do I go from there?  Any ideas or sources would
> be greatly appreciated.
>
> Ranulf
>
>
>
> --
> [Email to SCA-Archery-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com to leave this list]
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>

Beware Harbor Freight tools.  They are made in China and are often of
questionable materials.  Not to say they don't work, I have a number
of them myself, but they often are of poor quality.  Notably, their
files and rasps dull on hardwood and their anvils dent even under the
pressure of hot iron.  Expect to put a lot of time in sharpening a
spokeshave from them if you want a quality edge and not something for
a quick and dirty project.
Carolus

At 09:39 PM 12/26/2006, you wrote:

>Ranulf
>I am in a similar position! I want to build a crossbow, several in fact. I
>also have several traditional bows in mind. That is not counting several
>band guns, my wife will be fighting rapier. I do have allot of metal working
>experience (A rated journeyman machinist),
>I am very new to SCA (in Sept. I asked someone what is SCA when it came up
>in conversation). I am planning to start with arrow making then build a bow
>or two then target xbows. After that I will evaluate my interest and
>concentrate there.
>
>Here are 2 web sites that may help.
>Spoke shave
><http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=39917>http://\
www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=39917
>
>This looks like a reasonable approach to making a board bow. I am thinking
>about sinew rather than dry wall tape and no step unless it is for my kids.
>
><http://www.geocities.com/salampsio/index.html>http://www.geocities.com/salamps\
io/index.html
>
>Skyper Anders
>
>----- Original Message -----
>From: "ranulfmayle" <<mailto:ranulfmayle%40yahoo.com>ranulfmayle@...>
>To: <<mailto:SCA-Archery%40yahoogroups.com>SCA-Archery@yahoogroups.com>
>Sent: Tuesday, December 26, 2006 3:10 AM
>Subject: [SCA-Archery] Long bow
>
> > Ok, I have thought about this for a bit and have decided to try to get
> > away from my modern manufacture recurve. I have two plans, one
> > involves building a crossbow, the other involves making a long bow. I
> > intend to try both, but as I dont currently have the hundred or so
> > dollars to spend on metal bits of a crossbow and lack the metal
> > working skills to build them myself, I have decided to make a long
> > bow. Problem is I have NO clue whatsoever as to how to go about
> > this. I have seen several postings about where to purchase a basic
> > stave from, but where do I go from there? Any ideas or sources would
> > be greatly appreciated.
> >
> > Ranulf
> >
> >
> >
> > --
> > [Email to
>
<mailto:SCA-Archery-unsubscribe%40yahoogroups.com>SCA-Archery-unsubscribe@yahoog\
roups.com
> to leave this list]
> >
> > Yahoo! Groups Links
> >
> >
> >
> >
>
>
>
>No virus found in this incoming message.
>Checked by AVG Free Edition.
>Version: 7.5.432 / Virus Database: 268.15.27/602 - Release Date:
>12/25/2006 10:19 AM


--
No virus found in this outgoing message.
Checked by AVG Free Edition.
Version: 7.5.432 / Virus Database: 268.15.27/602 - Release Date: 12/25/2006
10:19 AM

If you are interested in crossbow construction there is a SCA
crossbow makers group on Yahoo.  Goto:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SCA-Crossbow-Makers/

Jon

On Dec 26, 2006, at 9:39 PM, Rob Andersen wrote:

> Ranulf
> I am in a similar position! I want to build a crossbow, several in
> fact. I
> also have several traditional bows in mind. That is not counting
> several
> band guns, my wife will be fighting rapier. I do have allot of
> metal working
> experience (A rated journeyman machinist),
> I am very new to SCA (in Sept. I asked someone what is SCA when it
> came up
> in conversation). I am planning to start with arrow making then
> build a bow
> or two then target xbows. After that I will evaluate my interest and
> concentrate there.
>
> Here are 2 web sites that may help.
> Spoke shave
> http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=39917
>
> This looks like a reasonable approach to making a board bow. I am
> thinking
> about sinew rather than dry wall tape and no step unless it is for
> my kids.
>
> http://www.geocities.com/salampsio/index.html
>
> Skyper Anders


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Buy the traditional bowyers bible, a lamp with adjustable brightness, a piece of
insulated tubing long enough to fit the staff into and attach light fixture to
one end with small air intake hole. Other end should be sealed except for small
hole to let air out. Set with lamp on bottom and exit hole on top (verticle
tube) then turn on lamp. Use meat thermometer to moniter heat. Set for approx
100 degrees f. and place staff in rig and wait two weeks. You will then have a
nearly free bowstaff. I suggest you start with what ever grows a straight limb
in your back yard.

   Jonas

ranulfmayle <ranulfmayle@...> wrote:
           Ok, I have thought about this for a bit and have decided to try to get
away from my modern manufacture recurve. I have two plans, one
involves building a crossbow, the other involves making a long bow. I
intend to try both, but as I dont currently have the hundred or so
dollars to spend on metal bits of a crossbow and lack the metal
working skills to build them myself, I have decided to make a long
bow. Problem is I have NO clue whatsoever as to how to go about
this. I have seen several postings about where to purchase a basic
stave from, but where do I go from there? Any ideas or sources would
be greatly appreciated.

Ranulf





  __________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Tired of spam?  Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around
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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Calontir

--- In SCA-Archery@yahoogroups.com, Godwin FitzGilbert de Strigoil
<archergodwin@...> wrote:
>
> Ranulf,
>
> May I say congratulations on taking the step!
>
> 1. Pickup the three books in the "Bowyer's Bible" series.
> 2. Go to "3riversarchery<dot>com" at the link below, they have
several
> "how-to" videos.
> http://www.3riversarchery.com/Thumb.asp?c=4&s=89&p=57
> 3. Get yourself a good spokeshave, a good rasp, a good 4" blade
lockback
> knife, and a small (1/8") round file.
> That is a basic toolset that you can build a bow from.
>
> To get from rough stave to a rough bow shape, it is advantagous to
have
> a nice bandsaw also.
>
> Where are you located?
>
> Godwin
> ===========================
>
> Ok, I have thought about this for a bit and have decided to try to
get
> away from my modern manufacture recurve. I have two plans, one
> involves building a crossbow, the other involves making a long
bow. I
> intend to try both, but as I dont currently have the hundred or so
> dollars to spend on metal bits of a crossbow and lack the metal
> working skills to build them myself, I have decided to make a long
> bow. Problem is I have NO clue whatsoever as to how to go about
> this. I have seen several postings about where to purchase a basic
> stave from, but where do I go from there? Any ideas or sources
would
> be greatly appreciated.
>
> Ranulf
>

Thank you all for your advice and the benefit of your experience.  I
do have a couple of reasonably local archers whom I believe should be
able to assist me.  The problem is getting with them in person as I
currently work evenings with rotating days off.  I just wanted to get
a head start and not walk into a conversation about creating a bow
completely blind.  You all have given me much food for thought and it
is greatly appreciated.

LOL dont I know the feeling, I'm at work when I post between midnight and 8 am.
Love the job but yeah, schedules are a major block for many people who would
love to take part in SCA activities.

   Jonas

ranulfmayle <ranulfmayle@...> wrote:
           Thank you all for your advice and the benefit of your experience. I
do have a couple of reasonably local archers whom I believe should be
able to assist me. The problem is getting with them in person as I
currently work evenings with rotating days off. I just wanted to get
a head start and not walk into a conversation about creating a bow
completely blind. You all have given me much food for thought and it
is greatly appreciated.





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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Carolus wrote:

  > Beware Harbor Freight tools. They are made in China and are often of
  > questionable materials. Not to say they don't work, I have a number
  > of them myself, but they often are of poor quality. Notably, their
  > files and rasps dull on hardwood and their anvils dent even under the
  > pressure of hot iron. Expect to put a lot of time in sharpening a
  > spokeshave from them if you want a quality edge and not something for
  > a quick and dirty project.
  > Carolus

What he said, in spades! I have a number of Harbor Freight Tools. I am
replacing them as time and money allows. It's a poor workman that blames
his tools. But truth be told you can really only do quality work with
quality tools. So while a poor workman blames his tools, a good workman
fixes them!

Quality tools not only make for quality work. They also save you time.
The time spent making a tool "work right" can be better spent making
whatever it is you want to make. I spend way too much time fiddling with
my Harbor Freight, metal cutting band saw. It should just be a case of
selcting and installing the correct blade and going to town. I should
not have to stop cutting to fix blade tracking problems on every cut.

My father had a great number of tools from Harbor Freight. Which
surprises me still. He had the money to get the best and the skill to
make use of the best. But while we didn't grow up poor, we sure didn't
have any extra when I was kid. And in reading my fathers auto-biography,
he really did grow up dirt poor. So I'm thinking the "making do with
cheap tools mind set" was firmly locked in for Dad.

As for the Harbor Freight ASO (Anvil Shaped Object) Carolus is talking
about. It really is that soft. I have an earlier one that is a little
better then what they are selling now. But it is still slated for
replacement, once I get my new shop set-up. As it is, it is currently
relegated to demo and teaching purposes only as my traveling anvil.

Njall
(Tool Junky)

Scott B. Jaqua
Hagerson Forge.

Heya

This is why I suggested, recommended what have you using Nicholson files and
rasps they are the best no matter where you get them.

I spose I should have suggested http://www.leevalley.com/wood/index.aspx?c=1
they carry the best tools and have as good a price as you can hope for.

Ragi

-----Original Message-----
From: SCA-Archery@yahoogroups.com [mailto:SCA-Archery@yahoogroups.com] On
Behalf Of Scott Jaqua
Sent: Wednesday, December 27, 2006 12:23 PM
To: SCA-Archery@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [SCA-Archery] Harbor Freight Tools, Was: Long bow

Carolus wrote:

  > Beware Harbor Freight tools. They are made in China and are often of
  > questionable materials. Not to say they don't work, I have a number
  > of them myself, but they often are of poor quality. Notably, their
  > files and rasps dull on hardwood and their anvils dent even under the
  > pressure of hot iron. Expect to put a lot of time in sharpening a
  > spokeshave from them if you want a quality edge and not something for
  > a quick and dirty project.
  > Carolus

What he said, in spades! I have a number of Harbor Freight Tools. I am
replacing them as time and money allows. It's a poor workman that blames
his tools. But truth be told you can really only do quality work with
quality tools. So while a poor workman blames his tools, a good workman
fixes them!

Quality tools not only make for quality work. They also save you time.
The time spent making a tool "work right" can be better spent making
whatever it is you want to make. I spend way too much time fiddling with
my Harbor Freight, metal cutting band saw. It should just be a case of
selcting and installing the correct blade and going to town. I should
not have to stop cutting to fix blade tracking problems on every cut.

My father had a great number of tools from Harbor Freight. Which
surprises me still. He had the money to get the best and the skill to
make use of the best. But while we didn't grow up poor, we sure didn't
have any extra when I was kid. And in reading my fathers auto-biography,
he really did grow up dirt poor. So I'm thinking the "making do with
cheap tools mind set" was firmly locked in for Dad.

As for the Harbor Freight ASO (Anvil Shaped Object) Carolus is talking
about. It really is that soft. I have an earlier one that is a little
better then what they are selling now. But it is still slated for
replacement, once I get my new shop set-up. As it is, it is currently
relegated to demo and teaching purposes only as my traveling anvil.

Njall
(Tool Junky)

Scott B. Jaqua
Hagerson Forge.



--
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Yahoo! Groups Links

There is a longbow video on uTube with Thomas Hardy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hUI3gMTZL-4



Jon

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

John edgerton wrote:

  > There is a longbow video on uTube with Thomas Hardy.
  >
  > http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hUI3gMTZL-4
  >
  > Jon

You mean Robert Hardy I think :)

Njall
(fan of both his writing and his acting)

Corrected.  Robert the actor and writer.  Not Thomas, just the
writer.  :-)

Jon

On Dec 27, 2006, at 10:51 AM, Scott Jaqua wrote:

> John edgerton wrote:
>
> > There is a longbow video on uTube with Thomas Hardy.
> >
> > http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hUI3gMTZL-4
> >
> > Jon
>
> You mean Robert Hardy I think :)
>
> Njall
> (fan of both his writing and his acting)


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

It is with much regret that I forward the news of the passing of a long
time archer and supporter of archery in Caid.

THL Kurt von Arrikseva ( Jim Steuard) was very ill as of late. He had
been in the hospital for the last week. About 7:30 AM, on the morning of
Tuesday, December 26 Kurt passed away.

Kurt was very active in SCA archery for a very long time. For those of
you that remember the old "In the Gold" and then "Caidan Archer"
publication, Kurt was a frequent contributer and a member of the
editorial staff. Kurt also taught archery and fletching at Collegium
Caidis and many war collegiums. Kurt was of great assistance many yeares
ago during my tenure as Caid's Master of Archers. He was also one of the
movers behind Caids first archers handbook.

It was decided that there won't be any services. Lady Krystal (Sue
Steuard) isn't up to talking with anyone at this time. Please do not
contact her with questions. If you must know something please contact me
and I will forward it to the correct people.

Njall

I am sorry to hear this.  I knew Kurt only slightly.  And I thought
well of him.  I still have his articles in my copies of the "Caidan
Archer".  He will be missed.

Jon

On Dec 27, 2006, at 11:37 AM, Scott Jaqua wrote:

> It is with much regret that I forward the news of the passing of a
> long
> time archer and supporter of archery in Caid.
>
> THL Kurt von Arrikseva ( Jim Steuard) was very ill as of late. He had
> been in the hospital for the last week. About 7:30 AM, on the
> morning of
> Tuesday, December 26 Kurt passed away.
>
> Kurt was very active in SCA archery for a very long time. For those of
> you that remember the old "In the Gold" and then "Caidan Archer"
> publication, Kurt was a frequent contributer and a member of the
> editorial staff. Kurt also taught archery and fletching at Collegium
> Caidis and many war collegiums. Kurt was of great assistance many
> yeares
> ago during my tenure as Caid's Master of Archers. He was also one
> of the
> movers behind Caids first archers handbook.
>
> It was decided that there won't be any services. Lady Krystal (Sue
> Steuard) isn't up to talking with anyone at this time. Please do not
> contact her with questions. If you must know something please
> contact me
> and I will forward it to the correct people.
>
> Njall


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

I have seen that whole episode. Unfortunately, I didnt tape it and
dont remember exactly what show it was although it was very
interesting.


--- In SCA-Archery@yahoogroups.com, John edgerton <sirjon1@...> wrote:
>
> There is a longbow video on uTube with Thomas Hardy.
>
> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hUI3gMTZL-4
>
>
>
> Jon
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>

Well, I'd read about Simon Stanley in Robert Hardy's book  but to see him in
action like that is awesome!
   Matthew,
   isolated in "old" Jersey,
   and taking-up archery again after a 50-year lapse, this time with a
Bickerstaffe ELB, not a "school-equipment" Slazenger flat-bow.

ranulfmayle <ranulfmayle@...> wrote:
           I have seen that whole episode. Unfortunately, I didnt tape it and
dont remember exactly what show it was although it was very
interesting. SNIPPED





   .





[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

great clip!! nice to see Hardy in it too!

ranulfmayle <ranulfmayle@...> wrote:          I have seen that whole
episode. Unfortunately, I didnt tape it and
dont remember exactly what show it was although it was very
interesting.

--- In SCA-Archery@yahoogroups.com, John edgerton <sirjon1@...> wrote:
>
> There is a longbow video on uTube with Thomas Hardy.
>
> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hUI3gMTZL-4
>
>
>
> Jon
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>





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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

I would like to wish everyone a joyous and prosperous new year.  May your
arrows fly straight and true.   And may all of your hits be gold.
William

That was amazing and I had never seen it before.
Thanks
Isabella

Well i got my longbow back from being dedicated to a friend who died back in
september. But i fianlly got it back today. The guy who did it was a
professional artist, it's sooo good looking.

  
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a293/goinuyashago/The%20people%20i%20miss/este\
s_4.jpg


  
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a293/goinuyashago/The%20people%20i%20miss/este\
s_3.jpg


   this is a pic of kevin himself.
  
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a293/goinuyashago/The%20people%20i%20miss/1197\
664801_l.jpg


   _melissa









Visit my website:
www.goinuyashago.com

Love everyone, because God Loves everyone!





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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]