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Main Boards => The Bowyer's Bench => Topic started by: Jason Jelinek on July 13, 2017, 03:52:00 PM

Title: Fiberglass laminated English Long Bow
Post by: Jason Jelinek on July 13, 2017, 03:52:00 PM

I've made fiberglass laminated longbows before, all with a rigid handle section with fade-outs.  They have worked well.  I've also made many all-wood bows and really enjoy shooting English longbows.  I want the consistency and durability of a fiberglass longbow.

I took a break from making bows in 2006, I decided to get back into the saddle and make a couple.

I had a co-worker cut me a single board of hickory 1" wide, 5/8" thick in the middle for 4" then tapered to 1/4" at each end.  I then split a 2" wide, 0.04" thick fiberglass lamination in half and glued it on the back and belly with G2 epoxy using bicycle inner tube on a straight form. Then added tigerwood overlays.

The bow turned out 70# @ 28" with 3/4" of set.

Here's the bow braced up:
  https://photos.app.goo.gl/Cx3HFIFiA6RehTMq2  

Here's the wood core drawing:
  https://docs.google.com/drawings/d/1E96lHipI8Mmbt9O4QLsKW5M1FkuFwGyHCZ5mrJyEI5s/edit?usp=sharing  

Here's the link to my google album:
  https://photos.app.goo.gl/Y9q0mX0aLNJ1xMxZ2  

I'll add more pictures as the bow progresses.

Title: Re: Fiberglass laminated English Long Bow
Post by: on July 13, 2017, 05:51:00 PM

That looks Purty Good...

Title: Re: Fiberglass laminated English Long Bow
Post by: Mad Max on July 13, 2017, 06:11:00 PM

cool

Title: Re: Fiberglass laminated English Long Bow
Post by: choochoou on July 14, 2017, 01:56:00 PM

Nice !

Title: Re: Fiberglass laminated English Long Bow
Post by: Wolftrail on July 14, 2017, 02:16:00 PM

Been there dun that. If she holds together my hats off to you, on a long note it looks great.

Title: Re: Fiberglass laminated English Long Bow
Post by: Jason Jelinek on July 17, 2017, 12:48:00 PM

Wolftrail, did your attempts fail?  Is so, why do you think so?

I used a hickory board that has really good straight grain,  though I haven't shot it yet.

Title: Re: Fiberglass laminated English Long Bow
Post by: mikkekeswick on July 19, 2017, 02:30:00 AM

There is no reason for it to fail? If normal methods were used glass bows are next to indestructible.