Post by: K. Mogensen on July 27, 2018, 09:29:09 PM
So I'm curious, if someone wanted to build a laminated glass bow, what are the chances that they'd have success on their first try?
It's something that I would like to try at some point, but I don't have unlimited rack space, and would want to build a bow that I actually want to shoot (using materials and a design that I pick, vs. what Bingham's picks). I have most of the equipment I'd need to get by, and I work daily with composites and have experience using epoxies.
FWIW, I'd be looking at something like a reflexed Hill style, which I'd imagine would be a bit easier to begin with than something like a recurve.
Post by: Pat B on July 27, 2018, 10:08:17 PM
Post by: Bvas on July 27, 2018, 10:30:45 PM
If you hang out here and ask lots of questions, your chances are excellent.
Post by: Mark Smeltzer on July 27, 2018, 10:41:32 PM
Post by: monterey on July 27, 2018, 11:29:09 PM
Post by: fujimo on July 28, 2018, 12:59:13 AM
get a tried and tested design, get the stack height, follow kennys advice on building a form. and you will be fine.
ask lots of questions on here and you will be better than fine.
alternatively, get a pre made blank from kenny, do all the tips, overlays and riser shaping, that will give you a good taste for it.
problem with glass bows, is one gose to a lot of effort and expense to build a form, then to use it only once would be a crying shame .
Kenny also sells pre made forms.
or find someone close with forms etc, and go over and build a bow on their form, most bowyers are good like that.
Post by: Roy from Pa on July 28, 2018, 05:07:44 AM
Call and talk to him.
He will help you and can supply all the materials you need.
Kenny has top shelf material.
https://www.kennysarchery.com/
Post by: Forwardhandle on July 28, 2018, 05:42:19 AM
Post by: Crooked Stic on July 28, 2018, 07:07:43 AM
Post by: K. Mogensen on July 28, 2018, 10:04:32 AM
I think finding a blank that is close to what I'm looking for is the way to go. It would be a bit of a waste to go through the trouble of building a form and hot box to only use once.
I like the idea of building lots of bows but just don't have the space right now.
Post by: Forwardhandle on July 28, 2018, 10:36:48 AM
Post by: Dazzad on July 28, 2018, 10:42:09 AM
What can't be scrimped on is research and preparation, but as we all have access to this forum and the internet as a whole - all the info and advice you need is at your fingertips.
The above is the list of the resources I had at hand for my first four laminate bow builds. Each and every one turned out beautifully, shot fantastic, and all are still in use today!
If you are thorough and methodical - a simple, beautiful and sweet shooting HH straight-laid longbow is entirely achievable!!!!!
Post by: KenH on July 28, 2018, 01:17:55 PM
Post by: Shredd on July 28, 2018, 05:18:50 PM
Post by: Forwardhandle on July 28, 2018, 05:49:41 PM
Post by: C. Johnson on July 29, 2018, 10:48:03 AM
I'm still shooting my first bow built in 1992. Ugliest bow you ever saw. :) I started with a Bingham design and glad I did. Bingham is adamant about the first timer avoiding also being a first time designer and it's good advice.
You cannot go wrong with a kit bow from Bingham's. I built my first one in 1996 and it still shoots today. Start with a flat longbow. Very easy to build. My first two were built with mostly hand tools when I was a young guy living in an apartment!
Also, Kenny can get you squared away for sure with materials, forms, and how to information.
My advice is to not try to get too fancy on your first one. Once you build one, the addiction takes hold and you'll want to build more. As you gain experience you'll try more complex designs.
Post by: Forwardhandle on July 29, 2018, 12:46:32 PM
Post by: monterey on July 29, 2018, 01:08:53 PM
The flat 68" Bingham design is a good bow. You don't need to buy their kit. Go to the Bingham website and download their bow weight chart. Use it to settle on the stack and order the stuff from Kenny. Bingham is happy to help you out but they are maybe a little too big to spend the time with you.
Everyone here will be happy to guide you along the way.
Post by: Shredd on July 29, 2018, 02:07:18 PM
I don't think I would have enough years left to iron out a copy of the Hex 8 or High lander 6.5 but it is a wicked design ,I wish some body here would do the R&D on it then I would build it ! :goldtooth:
Right now I have my hands full with a simple R/D design... Lol... At the rate that I am going it may be a while before I even consider to build a recurve...
Post by: EwokArcher on July 29, 2018, 02:37:15 PM
Post by: kennym on July 29, 2018, 05:35:29 PM
This would simplify the form deal and I'm going to try it (again) .
That said, the easiest glass bow to lay up the first time would be a straight hill style bow.
Good luck and above all, keep it fun!!
Post by: K. Mogensen on July 29, 2018, 08:34:16 PM
I think maybe I will give this a go, although it'll be a long process. I'm going to start with some reading and see what I come up with. I have a lot of projects on the burner right now, and I mostly wanted to know whether I was wasting my time even thinking about trying this.
I will definitely go with a topless mold and innertubes. I can definitely forego the reflex too in order to simplify the build.
Now the real root of why I wanted to try this in the first place, is that I'd like to try phenolic in the riser of a hill style bow. Is that asking for trouble in a first build? I know it's hard in tools.
Thanks again.
Post by: pditto613 on July 29, 2018, 09:38:39 PM
Post by: Mark Smeltzer on July 29, 2018, 11:28:30 PM
Post by: Mark Smeltzer on July 29, 2018, 11:33:54 PM
Post by: Forwardhandle on July 30, 2018, 04:51:14 AM
Post by: kennym on July 30, 2018, 07:48:08 AM
Post by: fujimo on July 30, 2018, 09:12:33 AM
Post by: Roy from Pa on July 30, 2018, 12:25:56 PM
We had our phones on video conference..
Y'all otta see his sweet little donald duck jammies...
:laughing: :laughing:
Post by: Forwardhandle on July 30, 2018, 12:49:34 PM