how to make a long bow

[Jobin]

hi, just wondering if anyone has made a longbow or knows how to make them, i need info on what sort of wood to use, plans etc. this is for my major folio in tech studies. any help would be appreciated

jobin

[Scott]

Mate give Glenn a pm, I'm sure he would set ya right.

[Jobin]

ttt

[Luke]

http://www.ozbow.net/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=2534&highlight=longbow+build

Check out that thread on Ozbow, it might help.

Have you PM'd or rung Glenn yet?

cheers,

8)

[maxy]

Jobin,

I've made a few composit longbows now, and i highly reccomend the books and materials sold by John Clark in Golwa SA.

Website is:

http://www.ausbow.com.au/bowmaking.html

Good luck,

Maxy

[Jobin]

luke i ha ve given glenn a pm and he hasnt got back to me yet

[ed]

if you are looking to build a self bow then I would suggest picking up Dean Torges' book "Hunting the Osage Bow" will work with other woods but I would chat to Glenn about Australian hardwoods.

[Running Bear Eagle Eye]

I have made a few longbows i mainly use spotted gum with a bamboo back and belly.
But have had success with spotted gum on its own its just the grain has to be really good for to work IMO.
Another aussie wood that works and is easily available is grey ironbark but i havent personnally used it yet.

[Jawry]

G'day Running Bear,

I am keen to have a go at making a very simple long bow for my daughter.

Have heard lots of mention of 'spotted gum' - we have heaps of that around South East Queensland - but i guess thats just a local name and may not be the same as is mentioned as suitable for bow making.

Anyone got any thoughts as to S/E Qld spotted gum?

Thanks,

Iain

[Glenn]

Iain, soptted gum from southeast Queensland is very good but it needs to be growing on the stony ridges of the Great Divide. The easiest way to buy it for a selfbow is to buy it as shot edge decking. Just go through it and pick it for straight grain, it's a cheap way to buy it and makes very good selfbows. I have made decking board bow over 60# out of it...Glenn...

[Jawry]

Thanks Glenn,

Was actually thinking of something a lot more basic - getting a 50-60mm thick trunk/branch and splitting it. Then on from there.

Have found heaps of usefull info on the forum and links to other sites.

A bamboo bow shot alright - until an overzealous dad overdrew and snapped it.

A white poly pipe bow is working OK - not much power but a good draw weight for Miss 9.

If the trunk bow comes up OK i may just progress to something a bit more extravagent.

Thanks All,

Iain

[Glenn]

Iain, what you can do and anybody else for that matter is welcome to do this, is to take a run up here to Maleny which is not far from you and I will only be too happy to run you through some of the principles of bow making...Glenn...