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Main Boards => The Bowyer's Bench => Topic started by: Wulomac on January 31, 2009, 10:52:00 PM

Title: Laminated bow construction help
Post by: Wulomac on January 31, 2009, 10:52:00 PM
I've been gone for a while, but I'm back now.  My question has to do with building the bow form.  Are there general or rule of thumb dimensions for a form or do you just do what you think looks good?  I have laminations made from hickory and red oak.  I will have some poplar made in a couple of days.  I still need to cut a handle insert, but the form design and dimensions are bugging me and holding me up.  :banghead:     Thanks in advance for your input!
Title: Re: Laminated bow construction help
Post by: bjordnolf on January 31, 2009, 11:17:00 PM
I would reccomend getting the plans from binghams they are very helpful for starting out.
Title: Re: Laminated bow construction help
Post by: Apex Predator on February 01, 2009, 07:02:00 AM
What kind of bow do you want to build?  We need some specifics.
Title: Re: Laminated bow construction help
Post by: Wulomac on February 01, 2009, 07:34:00 AM
I want to build a recurve, 60" long, 45-52#.  I have cut and planed some very thin laminations for my first attempt.  I have searched plans on the net and have seen many combinations of two or more lams and several handle inserts.  I have poured through catalogs for ideas and I keep coming back to a one piece recurve as previously stated.  I am looking at four or five thin laminations.
Title: Re: Laminated bow construction help
Post by: sulphur on February 01, 2009, 12:01:00 PM
for a 60" one piece recurve the most common set up is .050 fiberglass and 4 laminations (2 per limb) ground to .002 taper.  with a 18-19" riser block.  .095 butt end thickness for the lams will get you to about 50#.  I am building one right now from Old master crafters blue print.  but from the research i did most follow that format.