Carriage long-bow: socket fitting

[ThePinkOne]

Can anybody tell me where I might get a socket/sleeve fitting for making a carriage long-bow please?

I fancy having a bow I can carry on my recumbent trike, and as pennies are a bit short and I have wood and had made decent long-bows before, I thought I'd have a go making a carriage bow. But so far, only place I've seen fittings in is a small place in US- I have e-mailed tham, but don't know yet if they ship to UK.

Any ideas?

Cheers.

P.

[Meddler]

IIRC, KG Archery may be producing carriage bows, on a limited basis. Give them a shout, they may have sleeves/sockets for sale.

[RichardH]

Found these the other day at Flybow

Really great guy to deal with.

You'll find them in Bow Building > Bow Building Supplies on the second page in the right hand column - Takedown Sleeves.

[Bald Eagle]

Your local angling shop may be able to help but imho, go to the Maistro himself, Bill Searle, Glaxo Archers

[ThePinkOne]

Originally Posted by RichardH

Found these the other day at Flybow

Really great guy to deal with.

You'll find them in Bow Building > Bow Building Supplies on the second page in the right hand column - Takedown Sleeves.

Many thanks for that Richard. Just the job.

P.

[ThePinkOne]

Thanks again to those who posted- I've just ordered a "small D" fitting from Flybow. With th epostal strike and all I don't know when it will arrive, but I will be building the bow from an ash stave I have lying about plus some maple backing. Lams glued with hot-hide glue- see how well it works (tho I relaise I won't be able to use it in the wet.....).

P.

[HOTHOUSEDOG]

I've just ordered the same for some osage i have curing. Be a few weeks till i can start. I want a longbow i can fit in or on a rucksack. I've got a good source of osage in the states if anyone needs it. PM me for details. I want a pair of those gemsbok horns as well. Oh well one thing at a time!
Good luck with the build Pink, any advice or warnings would be gratefully recieved!

[HOTHOUSEDOG]

[ Lams glued with hot-hide glue- see how well it works (tho I relaise I won't be able to use it in the wet.....).

P.[/quote]

Have you thought about using Gorilla glue? Its used to make boats so its very waterproof, strong and goes off at rroom temps. I ahve'nt tried it yet still building up to laminations but its been recommended to me.

[ThePinkOne]

Originally Posted by HOTHOUSEDOG

I've just ordered the same for some osage i have curing. Be a few weeks till i can start. I want a longbow i can fit in or on a rucksack. I've got a good source of osage in the states if anyone needs it. PM me for details. I want a pair of those gemsbok horns as well. Oh well one thing at a time!
Good luck with the build Pink, any advice or warnings would be gratefully recieved!

I'll let you know how I get on.

The hide glue issue was about using more "sustainable" materials really. I have a pile of two-part epoxy gotten by the crate from Highland Horn which is strong and waterproof...... I was just curious.

On that note. The bow I have decided will be designed as a 66" light draw-weight number (30-35#) with lots of cast. Also made with sustainably-grown wood from non-tropical forests- I don't see archery as being sufficient necessity to destroy the rainforest and also support nasty regimes along the lines of those in Burma (for some woods).

Sooooo......

Having done some research into ideas for light DW bows I have decided to use:

Back: Rock maple. 2mm thick, formed by laminating two pieces of "constructional veneer" (already have). Middle laminate: western red cedar- not yet sourced that but seems widely available from US/Canada sources with FSC certification. Belly: Walnut (I have a suitable piece already).

Of course, because it's a carriage bow only need 36" (max) billets! I will need to put a "riser" bit on too, I will see what I have about for that- I have the odd (native) offcut from a local sawmill lying about.

As for the theory of the lams- yes, I know this is unconventional- also lowers density therefore mass of limbs. As this is a low DW bow I do not need the massive strength of something like purple heart- and of course mass weight is more significant. Also, from what I have found out, the theory should work- I gather there is a UK bowyer successfully using western red cedar cores for low DW bows. I'll prob seek out some UK cow or rams horn for nocks- again with a low DW bow this should work OK.

Although I then have the challenge of spining arrows for such a light bow...

As I say, I'll let you know how I get on. Lots to do on this, although I think it should work oK.

P.