I am looking at ordering this kit in 58" as my first attempt at building a bow. Does anyone have any pics they can post of a completed Bingham T/D recurve. From the research I have done, this kit would seem like a solid start. Any comments or advice would be appreciated.
There's a lot of info on here about Bingham kits. Do a search and you'll likely find answers to some of your questions.
Personally building a bow and then taking a deer with it was one of the greatest experiences of my life. If you have some basic wood shop skills you can do it. The DVD is very helpful. I highly recommend getting it. It's very straight forward and easy to follow.
Here's a couple I made.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v42/keyman/bows/P1110005.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v42/keyman/bows/P1010075.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v42/keyman/bows/P1120049.jpg)
Here's how the grey one started out. This is the stage where you check for tiller and limb twist. It's all in the instructions and dvd. This was my first bow and I also took my 1st traditional deer with it.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v42/keyman/bows/S4300006.jpg)
Those look really good Jim,how long is the grey one?
64" if my memory serves me. Takedown longbows have caught my fancy now though. Top one is Bocote with Kingwood and maple accents. Next one is brown and grey action wood with black phenolic accents.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v42/keyman/bows/CIMG0547.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v42/keyman/bows/P7180004.jpg)
Man,that bottom one really looks good.I`m in the planning and design stage for building a takedown longbow myself.
Razor, very nice work. Very motivating as well, I'm still trying to get up the courage to take on the task of doing it myself. Tim
I built my first one almost 15 years ago. It becomes an passion. For your 1st one follow the instructions and don't hesitate to call Binghams if you have a question. After that 1st one you can start expermenting. By the instructions I think the take down recurve is a little bulky. I have reworked and refinshed mine many times in the last 15 years and have finally gotten it where it is truly a custom fit bow for me. Like Razor says "there is nothing better than taking a deer with a homemade bow"
Thanks for compliments guys. That brown and grey one had to be retired. The riser delaminated a little to the point that it "ticks" when I draw it. When I mentioned having your form absolutely perfect.. I spoke from experience. The part of the form where the limb mates with the riser was a wee bit curved. The riser was limb pad is flat and true. This caused uneven pressure exerted on the very end of the riser by the belly of the limb. (gap under butt end of limb)It caused the layers to try to separate. Check your form with a tri-square! Even a few thousandths flaw can make a noticeable difference in fit and appearance.
Yeah kctreeman I'm going to reduce the riser some on that one after season is over. It is too bulky and the shelf is too high. I'm going to lower and radius it. I'' take about a 1/2" to 5/8" of the rear of the shelf too.
http://www.bowyersjournalboard.com/
There's a build along here if you'll search my handle. The links are broken as I've since changed service provider. It's a great project, good folks at Binghams.
http://home.comcast.net/~dcm4/tdb1.JPG
http://home.comcast.net/~dcm4/tdb2.JPG
http://home.comcast.net/~dcm4/tdb3.JPG
http://home.comcast.net/~dcm4/tdb4.JPG
http://home.comcast.net/~dcm4/tdb5.JPG
http://home.comcast.net/~dcm4/tdb6.JPG