Making a 40 Pound Freehand Formed PVC Bow With Tape Finish - Full Build

Here’s a re-upload of the freehand tapered PVC bow plus tape finish with both parts together. Update on the 105 pound Turkish style bow coming tomorrow!
Thanks for watching and enjoy!
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Simple PVC Pipe Bows - www.amazon.com/dp/1478140917/?...
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Adventures in Paracord - www.amazon.com/dp/0983248133/?...
All Wrapped Up In Paracord - www.amazon.com/dp/1483969169/?...
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If you want to send me anything, here's my P.O. Box!!
Nicholas Tomihama
P.O. Box 354
Camas, WA 9860

[@JoshSand-bl3wi]

I been a plumber over 25 years I always thought this could be done just never tried I now, will be making me a pvc bow

[@MrCh0o]

If it works out, please do report. Seems like there are less and less PVC pipes that aren't brittle being sold, and I can't even find fitting PVC pipes around here, everything is too thin-walled :(

[@endlessnameless8181]

This is old so my comment will probably go unoticed, but this was awesome. Loved the cleverness of this bow build.

[@lorenray9479]

When selling art at a native american celebration, a complainer said the art was not culture correct. A true native american turned to me and said that his ancestors always utilized the cutting edge technology as opportunity presented itself. When the french came by, they traded up for the best beads, wire, clothes, etc. Settlers were contributing better technology, as in present day festivals and shops! You are following in my ancestors tradition of TRADE UP!!!

[@DontLookBehindYou1]

That's an awesome perspective...

[@user-hq9gk4if6s]

ما شاء الله إبداع بأبسط الأشياء

[@Bat_Bt47k]

бізде оны садақ деп атайды

[@endlessnameless8181]

There is a Karen for every occasion my friend. Fk em!

[@PixelSlayer247]

"I'd like to return this piece of PVC piping, please." "Sure, what's wrong with it?" "Well, I hit it a bunch of times with a hammer, and it shattered."

[@user-gy5dr7nz6y]

Be4 u take it , pick a hammer and test it .

[@MOE13576]

"Also, this hammer "

[@endlessnameless8181]

Lol

[@chrisrussell1800]

The very first bow I had as an adult was a takedown made from your videos. That was 6 years ago and now my son has a bow. He's 7 and easily pulls a 15lb compound bow. He says he needs a new one haha. My 4 year old daughter wants to get into archery but needs a little bit more strength And I have a $50 40lb eBay bow. Funny thing is the one I made was more accurate and more toward the 60lb mark I think I'm going to teach my kids how to make a PVC bow. Better than eBay crap

[@senatorjosephmccarthy2720]

About 6 years ago I made a bow close to yours, and made it freehand. Mine has syah-like straight sections. And I painted it grass green. Yes, bows of that type are fine bows. Thanks for showing.

[@Michael-vp4zt]

This is one cool build. I took a couple hours it's a bit lumpy bumpy but it's enough to make the local turkeys worried... if I had some arrows.

[@gavinc2827]

And this is why I’ll survive the new world apocalypse

[@Prime_gamer-kg3uk]

Facts

[@anthonyrutten4018]

I dig how you make it look so easy!!! I fight it the whole time🥴 Practice makes perfect heh. I hope 🤙🏼

[@jamescampbell3799]

You probably didn't heat it enough

[@willownoel5017]

Backyard Bowyer, I wonder if the PVC pipe is temperable sort of like metal to become harder or softer when subjected to different temperatures during the manufacturing process? I mean we might be rejecting a lot of pipe that actually just needs de-tempering possibly? Maybe try heating a test piece up and plunging it into cool water and heating another piece up and allowing it to slowly air cool and see what the difference in their hardness is? It's worth a try!

[@mariemccann5895]

No, its elasticity is determined by the plasticisers used to modify its characteristics in manufacture. If anything it will become more brittle if thermally cycled.

[@MrCh0o]

@@mariemccann5895 I guess the question then is, are there any compounds that could be purchased easily that would act as plasticisers and whether applying those topically/submerging the pipe (and presumably letting it "cure" for a while to get rid of the excess) could be the way to go

[@thomasgreenwald6857]

Hi, I am 71 years old and have arthritis in my left hand. I am a right handed archer. Drawing a heavy bow is a problem. Could you do a build that would yield a 20-25 pound draw, but be an adult size? I like to shoot my bows about 3 times a week in my back yard and the ones over 30 pounds can be painful. I have built your “Seminole” bow. It came out beautifully and shoots well. I have not tested the pull weight. Thank you for your excellent instruction and wonderful personality.

[@riskysway2542]

How are you?

[@williamjmansfield8768]

Enjoyed watching this build. Came on your channel several years ago and haven't seen you for quite a while. Brings back memories of making bows and arrows nearly 75 years ago as a youngster, pre pre PVC🙃

[@pfcaraujo]

What a small world! I was camping next to you and your family at Echos in time about 6 years ago! Hope you and the kids are doing well. I was there with my two sons as well.

[@Carpythesharky]

Your tape wrapping is very satisfying ^^. Always a treat to see a new video, happy holidays!

[@terrybailey4600]

Just got through watching some of your video's...fantastic. Thanks. Be blessed man.

[@cliffordkelly5327]

I love the simplistic way yu’ve formed that bow & th sound of a released arrow sounds awsum !!

[@deejaytrizay]

YOU ARE THE BOOYER'EST OF ALL BOO'YERS!

[@handlesaredumb1]

I'd say you'd be the popular kid at the archery tag field.

[@user-ny5tx9pk4t]

Making a 50 Pound bow thank you for the video, you inspired me to make this bow

[@theTrueOverlord]

Hey Nick, Awesome bow as usual, Stay safe Brother.

[@fonwoolridge]

Wow! I made some years ago - out of hazel wood - but never got that fancy shape... I will try this technique sometime soon! Thanks!

[@nikolacvetkovic2276]

I really liked that. I have made few wood laminated bows ten years ago, but my workshop is gone now so I like Your low tech approach. Only thing I would change is that electrician tape. I am thinking of using cloth ribbon soaked with glue

[@pacificgoldsmith285]

Another great accomplishment...just love your new marketing strategy...GREAT JOB!!! Keep up the Mana. This video is perfect to help the guys that do not have access to a lot of room to store all of the necessary paraphernalia and extra tools. Much Aloha

[@AquaticPlace960]

Very nice, my dad has been wanting to make one. Now we know how

[@ivanrodrigues653]

👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👍👍👍 Depois de assistir a Km’s de filmes aqui, finalmente aprendi a fazer meu arco de PVC. Tudo isso sem falar e, nem entender a língua inglesa. Parabéns...!!!

[@BackyardBowyer]

Awesome! I'm glad you were able to make one!

[@tradbowtimewithuncledan2686]

That looks great sir!

[@Ryuxcx]

I would like to make a bow under his instructions! Nice bow Nick!

[@s.p.q.roctavianvsavgvstvs900]

Bravo -an excellent work.

[@raulbuzorangel378]

Very cool bow dude!!

[@richardbarnard4934]

Nice work. Going to make one. Cheers from North Bay Ont Canada. It will be good for Partiage gather while bush camping.

[@condaungayay]

Very good idea. Thank you guy.

[@user-ni1mm8qy9n]

Very very cool idea Nick. I've watched several of your videos and have made about three

[@BackyardBowyer]

Awesome! Thank you for watching!

[@maxr236]

Hi Nick glad to see you back making vids would love to see more knife making vids also, love your work

[@markaguilar8066]

Nice work man! 💪🏾👍🏾

[@muhammadvalizad3399]

Hi nick I hope you doing well, thanks for your toturials;do you have any idea about making arrow shaft and blade? I will be thanksfull if you guide us.🙏🙏🙏🌹🌹🌹

[@JoshSand-bl3wi]

You could build a jig You could also rough sand your bow a lil. It will help paint stick

[@user-mt4sf7di7f]

Fantastic！Beautiful work →👍

[@crabmansteve6844]

You could make one of these things seriously strong with the addition of a fiberglass core. Even so, just the pvc by itself is surprisingly snappy, I didn't expect the +40lb draw, very pleasantly surprising. Try using Tesa tape for your wrap sometime, it's incredibly strong stuff, with a lot grip. Doesn't hurt that it looks cool too.

[@markradvanszki5659]

I been working a lot with Tesa tapes for a while and I absolutely agree with you. Btw yes it's possible to make the bow even stronger, with a fine method you can even use 2 pipes at the same time and make it a compound bow. With that you can easily reach 55-60 pounds if it's a well made one (had one).

[@sesdartesesdartino3882]

​@@markradvanszki5659un tubo dentro del otro??

[@HubsAlgarveKnives]

Sim,um interior do outro. ​@@sesdartesesdartino3882

[@NerualTheMad]

I've tried to make this several times and I just don't have the artistic ability for it. How much would you charge to make me one?

[@burstfireno1617]

Maan that looks like a siiick ottoman horn bow . Beautiful job bro 👍

[@alangrossheim2582]

I really enjoy watching you build bows. Awesome!

[@jasonthomas2908]

Solid release too

[@genuinsanity]

All ready to go ....got a scrap sheet metal folded into the same length and shape of the "aluminum heat retainer / guide" .... I think it will do and is more durable .....got a feeling I will be making a few of these trying different sources of PVC . I live where there are several different indigenous tribes and traditional wooden bows have been becoming more popular the last few years.... They will get a kick out of these . Also , I want that "sweet" one , that I don't think I will get on my first try.

[@user-io6gi7gv8t]

Знаете ли вы, что в СССР (1970-90 года) буквально всё было обмотано СИНЕЙ ИЗОЛЕНТОЙ! Ею "украшали" и усиливали хоккейные клюшки, рулевые колёса, поручни в автобусах, бамбуковые удочки, вилки и рули велосипедов, и многое другое. Просто это было дёшево, долговечно, продавалось повсеместно и вошло в традицию. СИНЯЯ ИЗОЛЕНТА во времена интернета стала мемом, который применяют все поколения, даже рождённые в 2000-е годы. И тут синюю изоленту достаёт американец, и обматывает ей только что сделанный лук, чтобы его УСИЛИТЬ И УКРАСИТЬ! 😄 Это просто связь веков и цивилизаций! 🤝

[@kalwardenss130]

Hey love the build might try it later on. But have you tried making a crossbow in a similar manner? Would love to see your thought on that.

[@blaineteply413]

Nick, love the channel. I would love to see a Manchu style bow that has a draw of 55 lbs at 35 inches.

[@daviduyeda3787]

Hi Nick, I just made a bow for my seven year old son thanks to your video! I need to make a few for myself because, it’s sure getting weird and scary out there! ( I’m in Kaimuki btw) Thanks!

[@DeirdreHollinshead-gj2gv]

It works great I made my first bow string and I prefer it over store bought

[@YooProjects]

Professional video and great channel 🌷👍🍻😀

[@KenJohnsonUSA]

I'm really impressed. So, have you figured out a better way to get the right type of PVC? No hardware store in my area carries schedule 80 and the price of schedule 40 has almost tripled.

[@MOAON_AABE]

Dood this is so freaking cool and informative, thanks so much 😁

[@BackyardBowyer]

You're welcome! Thank you for watching!

[@donscottvansandt4139]

Great video!

[@BackyardBowyer]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@sesimie]

I'm going to do this....Hello from Trinidad and Tobago..you get a sub

[@J6rish]

Thanks for the build! I had everything at the house to make this. I've never built a bow until today. Your instructions were very clear. I put the string on about 30 mins ago. It's far better than I expected. Thanks again dude! Edit: I just shot about 20 arrows with it. I can't believe how good it shot! My string wants to fall off the siyahs to one side a little bit, but thats it! I'll make a few more minor adjustments.

[@BackyardBowyer]

You are very welcome! Thank you for building along with me! I'm impressed with you freehanding your first bow!

[@J6rish]

@@BackyardBowyer Thank you, Nick! It was a lot of fun. I made a flattening jig for the next few bows & it saved me a lot of time. The flattened horse bow with wood siyahs is my favorite so far. I will be trying out some more of your builds soon.

[@MrCh0o]

So the fabled PVC pipes that work still exist, then?

[@J6rish]

@@MrCh0o yes. They still shoot fine now. I made a several from Nick’s tutorial vids

[@MrCh0o]

@@J6rish Were you using the 1 inch, schedule 40/80 pipes? I'm determined to find the ones that would work one day, but I'm pretty sure all the stuff available locally is too thin-walled...

[@abdulkabirr3424]

Esse cara é o bicho,parabéns pra vc

[@hishamAlfajhan]

Great Video I wish you good and happiness

[@ribasquifett1592]

Very good! My friend

[@BackyardBowyer]

Thank you for watching!

[@cassiusclay7482]

Bravo très bien fait

[@montanawebb9256]

I’ve found pvc conduit works wonderful as far as strength goes. Got a deer with it this season

[@franciscoknopik185]

This was a very fun video to watch! Thank you for taking the time to post it!

[@salimesalime6503]

Good job my freind

[@lorenranberg]

Ok, is this a legit test of pvc strength? I get the pvc pipe manufacturing process may not be 100% consistent, but did he only smash test one end of each piece? If one end survives, are both of the same strength, what about the center of the pipe? I know he heats the material up to form the bow (smash survivor), does that change the material properties, would the same heating process change the outcome of the "failed" tests? I could google all this but I love watching all the awesome build videos! Been watching for forever, glad to see you're still doing work, bro!

[@MrCh0o]

The main reasons for embrittlement seem to be the manufactoring process itself (too little plasticiser), in which case there's likely no difference whatsoever on such a short piece of pipe, and storage time and conditions before the purchase. As far as the latter goes, temperatures would affect the pipe evenly, but sun exposure might actually only affect one exposed end, assuming that particular pipe wasn't on the outside of a batch. Heating does weaken the material to an extent, but as long as minimal neccesary heat is used, it should be fine. The biggest issue is that heating accelerates the escape of the remaining plasticiser, unless you absolutely torch it, of course, in which case the polymer might start breaking down too much (some of it will still break down since heat guns heat things up rather unevenly, hence the need to work in a well-ventilated place - PVC is a nasty thing when it comes to the products of it's decomposition)

[@user-Abhilashjenamani]

Nice video Love you from Odisha, India 🇮🇳

[@bagyi6010]

Very nice👍👍👍

[@ryandkuhn8327]

Okay just wondering what are the exact dimensions of the pipe that I need to get to make this

[@chappledesign]

Hi Nicholas, when shooting off the hand, do you have a brass nock on your string? Or do you have any type of indicator where to place the nock on the arrow?

[@magicdaveable]

Cool cheap bow that obviously can be built powerful enough to harvest a whitetail. Nice build.

[@DntBHoespktrth]

What up brotha man I bought the book a month ago read it twice still haven’t got the balls to go make one due my thinking I’ll fail but awesome to have these

[@johnemmons9087]

Have you tried the electrical gray conduit? The stuff seems indestructible every time I’ve used it for something. Glad you doin vids again!!!

[@jacksonterrance8833]

It broke on me and it doesn't reform when you heat it back. Pex works alright as a core as it's more flexible

[@kysbuver2668]

역시 잘만드신단 말이지...

[@ricardonava238]

I like your tecnology I Will Made one thanks

[@Djborders]

I wanna see you use wooden coat hanger cut in half an molded into the end, please show people that method

[@Unlucky-Dube]

What bow is the best?! I've watched at least 10 but I'm trying to gauge whats best for my needs

[@Akumatron]

How do you make a certain poundage. How do I make sure mine ends up being 35# for instance?

[@bluenovacorgi8230]

I would love to buy one of thess from u this is amazing !!!!!!

[@martinnosek9014]

Hi Nick, love your vids. I would like to try make some bow with heat gun, would you recommend me this type of bow for first time? Or some bow with flattening jig instead? Thanks!

[@theMindwalker]

Nick, are you going to post part 3 to other video series? The 2012 one?

[@Moosesupe]

Hey Nick, do you need to do the shatter test if you buy schedule 80?

[@marioveigo7748]

POR ONDE ANDARÁ Nicholas Tomihama?

[@michaelestrada6840]

PVC bows are cool 😎 thanks I'll enjoy making one and do you make wood 🪵 bow's thanks again take care.

[@skylerslack12]

Did you re upload this?

[@indianatone218]

Excellent idea m8 ,will have a go at this with my Grandson thanks for showing us . question ? you tried 3 pieces of plastic pipe 2 shattered one was ok , were they 3 different makes and the latter been the best or can you use any straight off the shelf ? greetings from Wales UK .

[@markmello1366]

Do you prefer the way these ends are made over your previous builds with siyah?

[@pleite77]

Thanks

[@sladenorthernil]

I'd like to see a quick #50 little recurve with fiberglass marking rods reinforcing the inside and fiberglass tape or strips epoxied to the face.

[@killjoy0408]

I have 2 questions. 1) do you need to do the hammer test for schedule 80 PVC? 2) is there a way to make a center shot horse bow?

[@user-mq9nq6sm7x]

Hermoso 😮.

[@bandar_sw]

Wish my son had something like this to satrt with :)

[@user-ou7wm9lq3u]

Good meaning

[@ArthurDoAcordeon]

How long does a pvc bow last?

[@Lotpite]

I haven't seen this kind of PVC tube on the market. Only PPR

[@pryan6562]

What kind of size do you use when you make a bow?

[@mkshffr4936]

I wonder if there is any advantage to using schedule 80 pipe instead.

[@elguerrero5399]

Buen video 👍

[@scotloggan1885]

Hey Nick, do you know what the numbers & letters are that is on the pipe that didn't shatter in pieces ? I would like to know so i can bye some at home depot or lowes. It would be greatly appreciated Sir. I am from Southern Alabama. Some farrow hogs get up to 500lbs here. Thank you kindly Sir for your informative and beneficial information in your videos. Please, keep'em coming.

[@johnemmons9087]

How about an accurate copy of a traditional Korean bow?

[@welovevietnam1945]

What type of string do you use for bowstrings?

[@harrytrustram7675]

What string do you use to finish the bow?

[@ateng_]

Thank you for this video, im really enjoy, may i know what size of this pvc? And what model PVC, im want to try make it 🥰

[@ismaelcasas9676]

So what was the difference between the 3 pvc pipes?

[@StofStuiver]

Plasticizers... All plastics aren't just the polymer of that particular plastic, but they have several additives in it. For instance for UV protection (which can break the polymer bond), but also plasticizers. The function of a plasticizer is to make it more plastic; deformable without it breaking. (so less brittle - similar to when you have steel and you harden it, or temper it) See: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plasticizer In fabrication, they add fixed amounts of plasticizer for a specific (half) product, but there will still be variations. So what he was doing is testing the tubes to see which is most flexible. Two failed and one was good for this purpose. Its all great to make a bow like this, however, the plasticizer over time will escape the polymer, so eventually the bow will break. When that happens depends on weather conditions, sunlight, etc and of course time. One reason for taping the entire bow (and keep it taped) is to not have sharp pieces flying about that injure you when such a break happens. Hope this explained it for you ;]

[@MommyKills]

@@StofStuiver so all pvc pipe is good use is there a specific pvc to use and if there is would you know where to get it

[@StofStuiver]

@@MommyKills Hi That probably varies per country somewhat, so i dont dare to say anything on that. Best thing to do is go to a shop that sells pvc piping (generally used for plumbing and so) and ask personnel/service which pvc type they have would best be suited / which is least brittle. You should probably start with least brittle, bc if that fails, it bends /folds on a specific spot and will not shatter. So if that doesnt provide enough strength, you should go with a more brittle variant. Generally there wont be more than 2 variants i think, so ask which is less brittle and that should probably be right. Apart from that, pvc piping comes in different variants wrt diameter and thickness of material. Thicker, means it can endure greater forces before it breaks. Usually diameter and thickness are connected to standardisation, but there is some variance. Thickness of course also means that it requires more force to bend it, which is released as you let go, wrt a bow. I think you can fairly safely experiment with this, provided you tape it up completely. Ive broken plastics in the past, of different sorts and so and hard plastics can all shatter and launch small, sharp fragments. Its not a safe thing to do without ppe. So taping is a must imo.

[@michaelprater3803]

What did you use for the string