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Main Boards => The Bowyer's Bench => Topic started by: D.A. Davis on May 07, 2015, 01:28:00 PM

Title: Power Lam Pics
Post by: D.A. Davis on May 07, 2015, 01:28:00 PM
Does anybody have any pictures of power lams, specifically where they are in the stack of lams.  I've read several posts about power lams, and just when I think I understand exactly how everything stacks up, I read something else that makes me feel that I don't really understand anything.
Title: Re: Power Lam Pics
Post by: Sam Harper on May 07, 2015, 01:42:00 PM
I put it between the backing and everything else.

 (http://poorfolkbows.com/images/robin35.JPG)
Title: Re: Power Lam Pics
Post by: beachbowhunter on May 07, 2015, 02:00:00 PM
On my TD limbs I put them under the wedge. The light strip under the dark wedge...

  (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v306/beachbowhunter/IMGP0035_zpsc1fdc3c3.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/beachbowhunter/media/IMGP0035_zpsc1fdc3c3.jpg.html)
Title: Re: Power Lam Pics
Post by: D.A. Davis on May 07, 2015, 02:10:00 PM
Ok, so I can get this right in my head.  

Sam, yours is on the "back" side of the bow directly under the backing, or on my bows, first glass in the form.

and

beachbowhunter, yours is on the "belly" side of the bow, which would be right before my riser.

So, it really doesn't matter where in the stack you put the power lam?
Title: Re: Power Lam Pics
Post by: D.A. Davis on May 07, 2015, 03:26:00 PM
After taking a closer look, beachbowhunter, I see I was looking at the wrong thing on your pic.  It appears that yours is also on the "back" side of the bow.  Thank you for your help.
Title: Re: Power Lam Pics
Post by: beachbowhunter on May 07, 2015, 03:48:00 PM
Nope, you were right the first time. They are on the belly side.  It doesn't matter which side you put them on. I've done it both ways and they shoot the same. I go under the wedge because they glue up tighter because they don't have to bend along the wedge taper.  If I were making a recurve limb with the wedge tapering toward the back, they would go on the back side.
Title: Re: Power Lam Pics
Post by: D.A. Davis on May 07, 2015, 04:30:00 PM
Thanks beachbowhunter.
Title: Re: Power Lam Pics
Post by: D.A. Davis on May 08, 2015, 10:58:00 PM
I notice most people use walnut for their power lams.  Are there any other woods that can be used?  Other hardwoods?  What about Actionwood lam material?  I've got a piece of Brown Chestnut Actionwood lam material that could be sanded down to make a power lam.
Title: Re: Power Lam Pics
Post by: Sam Harper on May 08, 2015, 11:39:00 PM
You can use almost anything.  It's just there to provide extra thickness in the limb just beyond the ends of the glued on section.
Title: Re: Power Lam Pics
Post by: beachbowhunter on May 13, 2015, 01:09:00 PM
Sam is right on. I use a contrasting color wood just to look cool.    :D
Title: Re: Power Lam Pics
Post by: BearFighter82 on May 17, 2015, 04:40:00 PM
what is the purpose behing the power lams?
Title: Re: Power Lam Pics
Post by: BearFighter82 on May 17, 2015, 05:54:00 PM
behind*
Title: Re: Power Lam Pics
Post by: fujimo on May 17, 2015, 06:27:00 PM
to move the bend in the limbs further away from the riser, same as the tip overlays( not the nock overlays!)- to stiffen the tips, and move the bend closer to the center of the limbs!
Title: Re: Power Lam Pics
Post by: Crooked Stic on May 18, 2015, 05:03:00 AM
Power lams will also take stress off the fades.