Well, after building a couple Bingham style recurve bows, I really wanted to try a longbow. I don't know which style of bow I like to shoot better, so why not try them all, eh? I like the looks of the deflex/reflex longbows, especially the ones that many have built and shared on this forum. I appreciate all the help and inspiration that I got from people that I contacted here. So, I decided that my plan was to attempt to build a 66" r/d longbow similar to the one that Robertfishes (http://tradgang.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=125;t=007651;p=1#000007) built and shared on this forum. I really liked the looks of it.
I posted a lot of pictures of this build on my blog (http://wookieswords.blogspot.com/2012/03/reflex-deflex-longbow-build-1.html) , so that I don't have to re-size a ton of pictures, but here are a few of the highlights.
I had to build a new form, and for that I have KennyM to thank for his template and beautiful design. This form is designed for a 62"-64" bow, but I think it works for a 66"er as well.
(http://i841.photobucket.com/albums/zz335/wookiewebster/Archery/Longbow1/IMAG0250.jpg)
I found it challenging to create such a curvaceous riser shape. It took a lot of tweaking, but now I have a wood and paper template for future builds. I want to thank Greg in Malad for his great advise and design of his sanding jig (http://tradgang.com/noncgi/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=125;t=003843;p=1) , which will make future builds easier as well.
I put a curve of black phenolic and a strip of hickory in the riser for detail. I hope it's not too busy.
(http://i841.photobucket.com/albums/zz335/wookiewebster/Archery/Longbow1/IMAG0251.jpg)
Compared to a recurve, I felt like it was more complicated to get this bow into the press. More lam layers, more epoxy, more things trying to slide around, more curves to press down into. It came out pretty well though.
(http://i841.photobucket.com/albums/zz335/wookiewebster/Archery/Longbow1/IMAG0255.jpg)
(http://i841.photobucket.com/albums/zz335/wookiewebster/Archery/Longbow1/IMAG0286-1.jpg)
(http://i841.photobucket.com/albums/zz335/wookiewebster/Archery/Longbow1/IMAG0289-1.jpg)
(http://i841.photobucket.com/albums/zz335/wookiewebster/Archery/Longbow1/IMAG0295-1.jpg)
(http://i841.photobucket.com/albums/zz335/wookiewebster/Archery/Longbow1/IMAG0288-1.jpg)
(http://i841.photobucket.com/albums/zz335/wookiewebster/Archery/Longbow1/IMAG0294-1.jpg)
I've been trying to do better at making tips. These came out better for me.
(http://i841.photobucket.com/albums/zz335/wookiewebster/Archery/Longbow1/IMAG0292-1.jpg)
(http://i841.photobucket.com/albums/zz335/wookiewebster/Archery/Longbow1/IMAG0290-1.jpg)
(http://i841.photobucket.com/albums/zz335/wookiewebster/Archery/Longbow1/IMAG0296-1.jpg)
Here are the stats for this bow:
- target stats: 66", 47# @ 28" (use tip wedges and power lam)
- achieved stats: 66", 47# @28" (53# @30"), 192fps with a 378gr arrow (my draw is 30")
KennyM was very helpful with the specs. He took the stack height for 45# limbs (.355"), added .010" to it to compensate for the extra 2" of length, plus another 2# from the super lam effect: so it should be around 47#. And it was right on! I got all my lams and the zebra wood block from Kenny.
The limb profile: 1.5" @ 2" past fade, then straight to 5/8" at the string grooves.
(http://i841.photobucket.com/albums/zz335/wookiewebster/Archery/Longbow1/IMAG0297-1.jpg)
Looks good Bud... Whew 7.1 GPP that should be a rocket.
Thats a beauty you can be proud of! I've been shooting some longer LB/Recurves and find my shooting a little more consistant with the longer bows...must be more forgiving...
Congrats and thanks for sharing....
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Glenn
Very nice bow... and your blog was very professional!!!
Nice job. Love those curves.
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Andy
Very nice!
Great looking bow.
nice job! Helen loves the 66" one I built her. hers is 1.40" wide at end the fade and 5/8 wide at string groove
QuoteOriginally posted by Robertfishes:
nice job! Helen loves the 66" one I built her. hers is 1.40" wide at end the fade and 5/8 wide at string groove
Hey, that bow you made is so nice that it inspired me to try this whole build. I can't do as nice of woodwork as you did, though. But the design is sweet.
awsum!!!
Nice work!
-Jay
That's one Kenny himself would be proud of.
Well Done!!
WOW!! Great job Monte ,especially for the first off a form! :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Some of these new bowyers make better first and second bows than my 10th or 20th! :D
The blog is really cool also!!
Ya'll are too kind. I really have a lot to learn still and really appreciate all the hand-holding on my first tries of both styles of bow.
[on my soap box] For someone starting out it seems there are lots of little concerns about things that the experienced builders just know intuitively. So it's nice when people don't get annoyed about a lot of pesky questions, and freely give advice like they actually want you to succeed. In my experience, that is certainly not the case with other hobby forums I have been on where people are harsh or make you feel stupid. So thanks for being a cool forum and I only hope I can give back when I get some experience under my belt. [soap box off] :archer:
Thats a beautiful bow, it turned out great! I may have to keep it in mind as an idea for a future bow of mine. Love the curve.
x2 on that Monte!!!
this is an awesome forum, with such a great bunch of folks.
really nice bow!- something to be proud of!
Super Sexy!
Very goodlooking piece and a nice blog, wish I knew how to make a blog. Bue--.
Black glass is flat out cool looking! Nice work!
Another awesome KennyM bow. Nice job...great full draw pic.
QuoteOriginally posted by wookiewebster:
... In my experience, that is certainly not the case with other hobby forums I have been on where people are harsh or make you feel stupid.
There are no stupid questions - only people too stupid to ask questions.
I'm certainly still a novice, but if I can help someone out based on my experiences or what limited knowledge I have, I will.
Awesome bow-i'm a big fan of that design!!
QuoteOriginally posted by Trux Turning:
Awesome bow-i'm a big fan of that design!!
So am I. Well done.
Great job man!