Making a 20 Pound 1/2 Inch Purple PVC Pipe Youth Bow

Today we’re building a 20 pound youth bow with 1/2” schedule 40 furniture grade pipe. I’m using Formufit schedule 40 pipe for this build.
Thanks for watching and enjoy!
Tab Style Arrow Rest - • PVC Pipe Bow Tab Style...
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Here are some of my books on Amazon. Thanks for the support!
Simple Knifemaking - www.amazon.com/dp/1534897704/?...
Simple PVC Pipe Bows - www.amazon.com/dp/1478140917/?...
Take-Down Archery - www.amazon.com/dp/1479348481/?...
The Impossible Bow - www.amazon.com/dp/098324815X/?...
The Backyard Bowyer - www.amazon.com/dp/0983248109/?...
Darts on Target - www.amazon.com/dp/151165385X/?...
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 98607

[@R2A1_USA]

You look amazing with your weight loss bro congratulations!

[@BackyardBowyer]

Thank you!

[@albinoblacksheep7826]

Wow dude congrats

[@darkmatter3538]

I didn’t even recognize him! I was like, “who the F is this?!” Congratulations man!!

[@albinoblacksheep7826]

I clicked instantly when I saw the notification. Your early bow videos is one of the first things I ever watched on KZbin. Man time flies

[@BackyardBowyer]

Awesome! Thank you for watching!

[@albinoblacksheep7826]

@@BackyardBowyer my pleasure u helped me and my brother make some bows back then.

[@bradleycopeland1423]

You're definitely an inspiration. Love you Nick and your family!

[@BackyardBowyer]

Thanks so much!

[@J6rish]

This will be my fourth bow I've made under your instruction. You're the man!

[@BackyardBowyer]

Sweet! Thank you for watching and building along!

[@lucasathus]

Wow it must have been years since the last time i saw you You lost so much weight!

[@BackyardBowyer]

Awesome! Thanks for watching again!

[@niq872]

yea i remember watching him a bout 4 years ago( i still have the pvc bows i made) and wow he lost alot of weight glad to see you still making videos

[@Alejandromunoz-yx6wj]

@@BackyardBowyer im glad you are back into bow making, weve missed you. Greetings from Colombia. Pd: congratulations on your transformation, great looks.

[@FirstNameLastName-nm5fl]

When I was a kid I’d watch your vids all the time. One of my biggest inspirations for creating things in my garage as a 12 year old. I gotta get back into it. Thanks for everything you do man.

[@noble7ify]

My man u be lookin good these days, been a while since ive been here glad to see u are still good and healty. U inspired me to create stuff with my own hands back in the day and i cant thank u enough for that, keep at the good works.

[@BackyardBowyer]

I appreciate that. Thank you for watching!

[@usernotfound5659]

Finally the legend himself is back great to see you again man!

[@BackyardBowyer]

Thank you for watching!

[@PhilJM]

I’m going to make a couple of these with my kids. They’re going to love it! Thanks for all the videos man!

[@Edwinthemountainman8454]

Iam sure Gonna try to make also a pvc bow looking Great with the weight los thanks for al the Nice video’s and tip's greats from the netherlands from edwin de vries 14 years old 👍👍👍👍👏👏👏👏🤠

[@pacificgoldsmith285]

Great Job Nick!!! So happy to see you back in such form with so much confidence just bubbling over...KEEP IT UP!...Your number II admirer.

[@williamcash1739]

SO GLAD! to see another video from the GOT of PVC pipes! truely hope you are well! Thank you for inspiring me to make bows!

[@notfeedynotlazy]

I just made a nice longbow for my daughter following your instructions. 150 cm long, yet draws only 15 pounds - exactly as intended (I remembered how you mentioned that with PVC, the longer the bow, the lower the draw). A very convenient bow to go with her medieval garb.

[@BackyardBowyer]

That's awesome! Thank you for watching!

[@michaelmalvagno9955]

Hello Nick , I first watched your videos about a year ago. I had some health issues that I had to receive dialysis. Your beautiful presence was a Godsend during a rough time. For 4hours a night three x a week,watching your videos made my treatments a whole lot easier.I love everything about your show. 6 months after starting dialysis I was blessed with a kidney.Now I watch from the comfort of my cabin. God bless you and your family.Be safe be well,Michael

[@captainbubbles5509]

Man glad to see this guy again and looking great, gives me hope for my own weight loss journey.

[@scotts.8978]

1) FIRST, thank you for sharing your knowledge with the KZbin community. I'm sure many, many folks have enjoyed you efforts. I first stumbled upon a 7-year old video of yours yesterday, while looking for reviews on the Bear Titan fiberglass bow, and I enjoyed your soothing demeanor. It made me want more! Next, I saw your video on the gull wing bow and appreciated the refined design. Then, I saw this purple kid's bow and was impressed with how "evenly tillered" and balanced the little bow looked. It is obvious that you have made many PVC bows over the years and you have developed a good "feeling" for how to shape them nicely. I like to go to PowWows and I see vendors selling poorly made PVC kids bows ... this purple bow is 100-times better and I might have to learn how to make them to offer them for sale ... not for profit, at cost ... as a service to help the young ones connect with their heritage. 2) I almost didn't recognize you in the newer video - you transformed your physique - kudos, bro (as another poster wrote, "I hope it was from living healthy and not from illness!"). 3) Are you concerned about toxic fumes released from heating the PVC? I've made PVC flutes and am careful not to breath the sawdust, but I've never heated it. 4) Do you have detailed plans on how to build your flattening jigs? 5) In looking through you video library, see you're a knife guy, too. SIGN UP for "Forged in Fire" ... I'd love to see you on there ... and potentially win the 10 grand prize! 6) I look forward to buying a book or two. Your skills have obviously grown and your techniques have probably evolved - do you have any plans to write updated editions of your books? That's all. Be well, Sir Nick. ~ Scott in Connecticut

[@MultiSmiley47]

A Master of the craft. You make it look easy. I tried my first one not long ago and it definitely needs work. 😂

[@nagasamuraigoichi4860]

You inspired me a few years ago period because of you I have learned how to make multiple PVC bow and arrows. Just showing my appreciation for your creative mind and I have several videos where I am shooting them all thanks to your

[@BackyardBowyer]

That's awesome! I'm glad the videos have helped. Thank you for watching!

[@stevebuckskinner5482]

Wow!!!! Great to see you Nick!! And dang....You look great 👍

[@BackyardBowyer]

Hey, thanks!

[@deemedappropriate4790]

Dude, I don't know how you can use your bare hands when the pipes are hot. I've made a couple with my son and those suckers are hot! Good stuff Nick, thanks.

[@BackyardBowyer]

Thanks for watching! I've been called asbestos hands before. It's something you get used to when doing it often.

[@ROBBANKS666666]

Hot sand works great for even heat. Great channel!!!!!

[@robsarchery9679]

Another good one

[@herbetone]

Keep up the good work bro.

[@BackyardBowyer]

Thanks, will do!

[@airborneinfantrynstuff489]

Absolutely the chillest dude on the Tube👍🏻 Love the content brother.

[@BackyardBowyer]

Much appreciated. Thank you for watching!

[@ROBBANKS666666]

Awesomeness

[@joserojas7560]

Wow! It’s been several years since I’ve watched your videos and I was unaware of how much you’ve physically changed! That’s awesome Nick, hope you’re feeling healthy and strong 💪 all the best, long time subscriber

[@BackyardBowyer]

Yes, definitely feeling much healthier! Thank you for watching!

[@bsod4144]

Good to see you again

[@BackyardBowyer]

Thank you!

[@theguywitheyebrows]

success!! tagged ya on instagram, finished and shot my first one ever in under an hour!!! you're such an amazing teacher bro!! much thanks!!

[@tonikauko]

You are awesome!

[@ZStraNNik]

Glad to See you again

[@BackyardBowyer]

Thank you for watching!

[@teenghiem7852]

Welcome back,you look great!, thanks I was looking for something for my son!

[@BackyardBowyer]

Awesome! Thank you for watching!

[@10223220]

Nice little bow👍

[@BackyardBowyer]

Thanks!

[@sidalimokrani8275]

welcome back bro

[@acheface]

You have the exact same work bench that l do!

[@pchrysostomou7955]

Good video thank you

[@BackyardBowyer]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@HunterOrock]

Hey man...I haven't seen one of your vids in a few years, and I just felt compelled to say you look great. Keep it up. Your skill as a bowyer and blacksmith have really progressed. Awesome!

[@BackyardBowyer]

Thank you for the kind words!

[@cabantingpaulmichaelangelo1817]

He thinned himself and you guys are jealous hahahahha Glad you're back sir!

[@colingmatthews]

Great to see you,had me worried there, you seem very balanced which is probably good for what you do. Keep it up and as we say in Welsh "I'r gad " (to the battle).

[@Dinoschannel]

yooooo, you are still posting, that's insane, so glad to see you again :)

[@BackyardBowyer]

Thanks for watching!

[@jb573]

Nice to see you back. You gonna do any forging really liked the knifes and rebar stuff you made.

[@gettygarrettable]

Very impressive

[@BackyardBowyer]

Thank you!

[@bagyi6010]

Very nice

[@BackyardBowyer]

Thank you!

[@aaronwine2111]

Love this bow! Thank you! Anymore knife making videos coming up?

[@BackyardBowyer]

Thank you for watching! I don’t have anything planned, but that’s a great suggestion! I’ve been making a lot of blacksmith style knives lately.

[@HistoricalWeapons]

you should sell these

[@scirockalot8v]

Just made one for my 8 year old daughter. I broke my pvc recurve after it sat through winter a few years ago. Going to make another.

[@mdsign001]

Enough with the weight loss already, you're done! Cool little now, are you working on a book about children's bows?

[@user-cr3vw7gj2i]

Hi man, can you do a video to make the target and finger protection ? I just got my bow , but it’s hard to practice

[@HarimauPenyerang96]

You lost weight legend... I make a lot of pvc bow using your technique.. Awesome dude

[@BackyardBowyer]

Awesome! Thank you for watching!

[@ehdewoow4761]

What is the thickness of the Pvc? Just to make sure when i buy some pvc So it would not have any problems? 🤔

[@loordzouhair3315]

Ur looking good are u planning on making a crossbow mabey?

[@thedeegeesaga]

Very cool to see these vids again! I discovered these recently but it's nice to see some newer ones! Btw I saw some of your instructions but I don't remember completely. Do you make the whole handle at the middle, or just the upper part of the handle so that the arrow is resting at the very middle of the bow resting on our hands? Thanks!

[@hakandemir.4093]

Zayıflamışsın

[@pjballard1487]

Do you make arrows for kids use? Or what arrows do you recommend

[@daro9582]

Is there a way to tiller a PVC bow?

[@deltafour1212]

I'm 6'1" tall . What length and size pipe would you recommend for an adult size 20lb - 25lb bow ?

[@comitatocentrale2022]

Add a little more shooting. You’re craftsmanship is awesome

[@CadillacJak]

wow havnt seen your videos in years it seems

[@BackyardBowyer]

It has been a while. Thank you for watching!

[@CadillacJak]

@@BackyardBowyer popped up on my timeline today bro glad I seen it loved the video keep up the good work

[@Des-q]

When heating the pipe at the beginning, how do you get it all constantly hot? I tried to make a bow the other day and it would cool down before I hit it with the heat gun again. It wasn't super cold either, maybe 50F

[@alainaspivey482]

If you've got some spare cardboard and some tin foil you can make a trough-like contraption. He shows something similar in one of his older videos with snow.

[@rcreviews1412]

Man i used ti watch u all the time but i created a new KZbin account so all my subscriptions were gone so i jida forgot but aye you’re back now😀

[@BackyardBowyer]

Glad to have you back! Thanks for watching!

[@palomapalacios6036]

Yay! Another video! Quick question: what other ways are there to heat pvc without a heat gun?

[@jasonpatterson8091]

You can use a fire if you're careful (campfire, gas burner, etc.) though I wouldn't use my kitchen stove to do it because of the off gassing of the PVC. I know that not everyone has access, but a heat gun can be gotten fairly cheaply from home improvement stores (~$20) or the internet. Nick's looks like a Harbor Freight special.

[@palomapalacios6036]

Thank you Jason! I didn’t know heat guns were that cheap. Maybe I’ll get one (& skip pvc kitchen fumes altogether). Thanks!

[@muhamadridayatullah6272]

Long time no see.. u look awesome bro..

[@BackyardBowyer]

Thank you!

[@hellstenjan]

Hi Nick! You make really inspiring bow videos. Thanks for sharing your knowledge and ideas, I appreciate it a lot! I wonder what is the proper the application for these pvc pipes you use for bow making because I can’t seem to find any of that sort in my country. I’d like to try to make one myself. I remember that you say in some video you use plumbing pipe but so far I’ve only managed to find pvc pipe for house electrics. Problem is that the wall of the electric pipe is quite thin. How thick the pipe wall shoud be if I want to use 3/4” pipe? And where to buy this type of pipe? 🤔

[@aboalfazlasadi2588]

واقا فالی بود

[@huxmetalworks7371]

Great work I have followed you for a while I love your work I want to make a couple for me and my wife you have books available can you tell me where to get the. and what books will get me where I want to be thanks for sharing your fine work

[@youtubeadsarecancer785]

hi, expert. I want to know how can i determine the draw weight of a self-made bow? by the pvc's length? or the string's length? as i am going to make a pvc bow by following your guide. I wish to make a 25 pound easy pvc bow with only pvc + glassfiber rod. Thanks.

[@ShadeSlayer1911]

Diameter of the pipe and the starting length is mostly how you determine the weight of a bow. There's a chart that he's shown on some of his older videos that helps with that. His book also provides a pretty useful chart.

[@josezermeno177]

Do a flattening jig tutorial

[@acheface]

Please!

[@elguapo5857]

My gf wants to get into archery but she cant pull back my 45 lb recurve lol. Gonna give this a try

[@BackyardBowyer]

Awesome! Thanks for watching!

[@Edwinthemountainman8454]

Btw your looking like such a Nice man

[@joaocastilho3252]

Can u make another crossbow like that little one but little bit bigger??? Like a compact crossbow, I'm trying to make one but the bow from crossbow it's a little hart to be made, for a 69cm long body all made in pvc, size of a kid toy but stronger like a real pistol crossbow!! Can u helpe me making something similar

[@theepicoutdoors6418]

will you ever sell bows?

[@s13danny]

When did you get merch nick? That’s going straight into the cart🔥

[@BackyardBowyer]

I’ve been working on it! There are more designs coming soon too. Thank you for watching and for the support!

[@s13danny]

@@BackyardBowyer that’s awesome totally picking some up this week

[@gtsbrian167]

1. Why did you taper the limbs from the center of the pipe whereas in the previous video, you flattened both limbs and heated the handle after the limbs were done? 2. I can't see how you set the 1/2 inch taper. Do you have spacers? 3. Well we get a build video on your new jig?

[@BackyardBowyer]

1. This bow is much longer, so the taper adds resistance to bending in the thicker portions. If fully flattened, this bow would draw about half as much weight. The other bow would draw closer to 35-40 pounds if it had a 1/2'' taper in it. 2. The taper was set by eye. I have marks on the post that let me eyeball the start of the taper. I tightened the clamps until the end of the board was roughly 1/2". 3. Thank you for the suggestion! The next jig will be similar but with a little more versatility. Thanks for watching!

[@jorgecorrado164]

Hola Nick, soy Jorge de Buenos Aires, Argentina, y me gustaria saber, si tenes informacion respecto del uso de flechas cortas o enanas con arcos asiaticos, creo que coreanos, las tiran con un soporte o guia pareciada a una media caña, te agradeceria mucho si pudieras ilustrarme al respecto, de tener alguna informacion, te sigo desde hace mucho tiempo, me gustan tus videos, he aprendido mucho con ellos, desde ya y agradeciendote de antemano, te mando un saludo grande.-

[@angelduncan9147]

Do you ever use PVC specific glues? Or do they make a chemical hard spot?

[@BackyardBowyer]

PVC glues tend to cause the plastic to become brittle in places that flex a lot. I avoid it on handles, sometimes will use it for tips, but mostly I stick to using hot melt adhesives as they don’t affect the plastic. Thank you for watching!

[@angelduncan9147]

@@BackyardBowyer thank you for the explanation! Great video!

[@phillipg9907]

Ok. Where did you get purple pvc. Or is it just painted?

[@BackyardBowyer]

I got the pipe from Home Depot online, search formufit PVC.

[@Tome4kkkk]

What's the easiest thing to do to lower the draw weight even further, for a 6 y.o.?

[@LucidDreamsShorts]

Longer pvc pipes. The shorter the pipe is the heavier the weight is going to be. and the longer the pipe is the lighter it will be.

[@s.a.8345]

Teach make arrow

[@rememberme5807]

Is there any other way to soften the Pipe/pvc or something?

[@BackyardBowyer]

You can use a stovetop, fire, forge, grill, hot sand, and steam to heat the pipes. You can even build an easy bake style oven for heating pipes with heat lamp lightbulbs.

[@rememberme5807]

@@BackyardBowyer Thanks!

[@DjulioCesary]

my God! are you really? this super different 😃, say hi to Brazil.

[@205jab4]

How much for you to make me about a 40- 45 pound bow?

[@205jab4]

I just ordered your book off Amazon. Im going to build with my son. He loves archery.

[@mihai21neo]

Hello my friend

[@BackyardBowyer]

Hello 👋

[@mihai21neo]

@@BackyardBowyer how are you? I made one bow from PVC and is unexpected good 😎. Thanks for your time friend 😀 all the best

[@j.l_vqtqv9908]

👌👏👏👏😉

[@BackyardBowyer]

😄👍

[@Gumbus556]

Omg you still exist

[@BackyardBowyer]

Yes I do. Thanks for watching!

[@MUJHOOL]

*Wow you lost weight loo good bro*

[@BackyardBowyer]

Thank you!

[@marioveigo7748]

WHERE WILL NIK WALK?

[@itsmeroger175]

Jumong

[@jacobh6106]

First again

[@BackyardBowyer]

Thanks for watching!

[@aeislugh]

Dude...you look like you lost a ton of weight. I hope it was from living healthy and not from illness!

[@hakandemir.4093]

You lose weight dude :D

[@kianokishiyama6027]

Drop the diet lol

[@user-nf7gn3qi2c]

man, try to make a bow without pvc pipes, because its starting to get boring

[@BackyardBowyer]

Thanks for the suggestion and for watching!

[@spencerbrotherson9061]

I've been following this dude for years, and he does a lot more than just the PVC bows. If you go back through the older stuff on his channel he has knifemaking, blacksmithing/forging, flint knapping, and a whole bunch of other things. The bows are kinda the core of the channel though, and since he's just getting back into posting it makes since to start rebuilding his presence with what made him a big deal to begin with. I'm sure he'll branch out into other stuff if you hang around