Fellow Leatherwallers, I Broke my yew bow a year ago trying to take the twist out of the limb in cold weather, brain fade,

The way the limb broke off is perpendicular to the way the bow flexes, so I hate to see a good peice of yew go to waste I glued it using titebond 3 several mionths ago.

Trying to be cautious I set it up on my tillering station and got back ten feet and slowly drew the bow exercising the limbs as I pulled 8", 10" 12" and so on until I got to 28".

I never heard a crack or any sound that might indicate a forth coming catastophy.

The only reason I even attempted this is because the crack does not run in th edirection of the flexing of the limb.

I worked this bow for quite a while then decided to shoot it. I short drew at first the worked my way back to full draw without and indication of failure. I shot about 15 arrows and decided to not press my luck.

I plan on wrapping the limb where the crack is and saturating it with super glue, of course doing the other side to match.

I forgot to mention this limb broke clear off the bow but the piece fit back together so well I decided to glue it.

I don't normally take any chances on something like this, but as I mentioned before the way it broke this may work.

I'd retire that sucker. No chance I'd ever shoot it, or any sawn selfbow that ignored the grain. Gimme a break. That gets an 'F' on selfbows 101. Glass backed, sure. Unbacked, no chance.

I split my POS MIM Fender Jazz bass neck trying to remove a nasty propeller twist that followed the grain in the neck up at the nut. That piece of wood should never have made it into the neck production room. Total crap.

That is what I wanted to know, it was a kit that I bought thirty years ago and finished sanding it into something usable, it has shot very well considering the grain running off the edge, I used it primarily for my fishing bow. I didn't know any better when I bought it and evidently the manufacturer didn't either, you buy something assuming it is correct and you get screwed.

I hate to throw anything away even if it was crap, but I will take your advice even though it shoots arrows better than my $1500 00 bow I will cut it up....Thanks guys.

I wouldn't cut it up. Hang it on the wall. Lance.

Might do that Lance, it did get a lot of fish.

30yrs before it bit the bullet,,,,thats not getting screwed my friend! Wall hanger! Right above a picture of one of them fish

Either hang it up or flatten it out (thin it) and face and back it with glass if you just want to keep it as shooter.

I was going to say the same thing. After 30 years, It would be a shame to trash it.

...if it was me, I'd find a way to save it. there's always a way. ...I mean, it was good shot today with that bow in FS! -ted

Yep...it would. And you could use nearly anything for the form. 2 pieces of glass and a little epoxy.

I think it will blow like it is,, just retire it with good memories, have someone make you a similar bow to shoot,,

Here's the one I have. Made in 1943 by a late family friend. Shot until it broke in the '70's when the owner/builder repaired it with auto body fiberglass! It held for a few shots when he heard a pop and stopped shooting it. He gave it to me a year before he died because he knew I'd keep it and his grown children didn't want it. I made a linen string and a boot and it's hung here for 5 years now. He made the bow when he was in the Boy Scouts. So Ron, there is life after you can't shoot it anymore. Thanks for letting me share. Lance

I assume its backed with hickory or maple? Rasp that yew down to about 3/16" thick and add a 3/8" thick belly lamination of osage. She would out live all of us.

I just couldn't throw away a piece of wood that served me so well all those years even if it was a milled out blank. It held up regardless and would still be fine if I didn't try to improperly straighten a twisted limb.

Pearl Drums, instead of finding fault with the bow, you supplied a solution so that piece of wood could still be used, I really like your attitude, you never know, the combo could make a super fine bow. I'm going to do exactly what you said.

THANK YOU Sir............Ron Gooden

Thank you everyone for your support and ideas, this piece of wood will live on......honest guys i'm not crazy, (maybe a little) I just love wood....Ha!Ha!

Pearl Drums, should I laminate the whole length of the bow or just the limbs and taper in to the fades. Thank you.

Good thought Patrick,

The bow was yew with a nice layer of sap wood on the back, I was concerned that it was some other wood laminated, but when the limb broke off you could see what looked like sap wood. Thank you

OK folks enough of this, I will refinish it and mark it not safe to use and hang it.

I need to start making new bows and quit worrying about the old stuff.

Sorry guys, I just thought maybe I saw an opportunity to save it.

I have had two yew bows blow up on me over the years. You may be able to save it but if it does blow you won't like the explosion. Not fun.

Its history Ron,,,the part of your life told with wood and string ; )

Im working in a new bow rack and noticed i need a good way to display all the arrows ive made or been gifted from friends and even some important people in the archery world Not my room but Fred Andersons and id live to go this route

wow thats nice

That is what heaven looks like.

You are correct Mountain Man someday I will be history, but I don't think my wife will hang me on the wall above the fire place.

LOL!

Deprnds on how much money you leave her Ron ; )

Yea i been lookn around for inspiration,,i guted my office at home to redo like an adult Just picked up some choice ceder for new bow racks today Im goong for this

I'm trying to spend it before anyone else get's their hands on it..........LOL!

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