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Main Boards => The Bowyer's Bench => Topic started by: Fishinglink on June 16, 2019, 06:26:49 PM

Title: Kids bow
Post by: Fishinglink on June 16, 2019, 06:26:49 PM: While I was out shooting today my 7 year old daughter came out to watch. She seemed really interested but I don’t have anything for her to shoot. So she was my arrow caddy.

I picked up some bamboo this weekend that is all 8’x2” so I’m going to have some scraps after I cut it all down. I was thinking if I spliced the bamboo I could make a 36-42” backing but not sure it that is safe even with super low poundage.

My guess is I am going to need a 15#@20” max given her current strength but that may need to be a bit lower. Contemplating using 1/8” hickory as a back and use the bamboo on the belly and use limb taper to tiller.

Any suggestions would be appreciated. I’ll try to get a better guess on draw length if it will help.

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Title: Re: Kids bow
Post by: Roy from Pa on June 16, 2019, 08:52:09 PM: Ya might wanna make the bow a little longer, say 54" long.

Believe it or not, short kids bows are a bugger to make light and tiller.
Title: Kids bow
Post by: Fishinglink on June 16, 2019, 09:44:35 PM: Ok that makes sense. Any ideas on a good belly lam thickness to start? 1/4”? Maple, Hickory,Osage?

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Title: Re: Kids bow
Post by: Roy from Pa on June 16, 2019, 09:59:00 PM: No more than 1/4" osage or maple and make the boo very thin.
Title: Re: Kids bow
Post by: Fishinglink on June 16, 2019, 11:51:16 PM: Thanks Roy. I’m gonna try a 40” & a 56”. Using the hands together arms stretched out measurement she’s at about 19”. My wife and other daughter both measure at 24”. I’ve got two 41” Osage lams 3/16” thick. Gotta order some stuff from Kenny for my next build anyways so may as well get 3 bows worth to save on shipping.

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Title: Re: Kids bow
Post by: Roy from Pa on June 17, 2019, 06:22:57 AM: :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Kids bow
Post by: Eric Krewson on June 17, 2019, 08:49:48 AM: In the interest of safety I backed every kids bow I ever made with bamboo. I didn't want any bow to blow up if misused, hurt a kid and get me a lawsuit, I gave all these bows away, no money involved.
Title: Re: Kids bow
Post by: Roy from Pa on June 17, 2019, 09:13:52 AM: Eric, what are your thoughts on the length on a kids bow?
Title: Re: Kids bow
Post by: Eric Krewson on June 17, 2019, 02:47:38 PM: Most of mine were for 8-9-10 year olds, I made them 52" and very low poundage.
Title: Re: Kids bow
Post by: Roy from Pa on June 17, 2019, 03:32:37 PM: Ok thanks, Eric.

There ya go, Cody.

Eric said 52" and I quoted ya 54"...
Title: Re: Kids bow
Post by: Fishinglink on June 17, 2019, 05:05:11 PM: Well I’m gonna build a 55-56”to be safe. But I’ll have a 40” piece to bamboo left over so I’m gonna give it a go with that too. Just a damn shame to order 72” of lams and toss 18” away.

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Title: Re: Kids bow
Post by: Fishinglink on June 19, 2019, 10:26:54 AM: Roy or Eric do either of you have a suggestion on width and limb taper for a 52-56 bow?

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Title: Re: Kids bow
Post by: Roy from Pa on June 19, 2019, 04:23:28 PM: Flares 1 1/8th tapered to 3/8th at tips.

Thickness of belly lam, 1/4" to 3/16th" at tips.

Make the boo thin.
Title: Kids bow
Post by: Fishinglink on June 21, 2019, 09:38:40 PM: Well my daughter is super excited. So we’re gonna start on bow 1 Tuesday. Bow 2 will get materials ordered after the 4th.

Bow one will be bamboo backed Osage. 40” tip to tip. Mainly because I have scraps available to build it.

Bow 2 is gonna be bamboo backed maple. 54” NTN.
Choosing maple because it’ll take dye/stain better.

I’ll post updates and pictures in this thread. Hoping she’ll be accompanying me to Great Lakes Longbow Invitational in August.

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Title: Re: Kids bow
Post by: Roy from Pa on June 22, 2019, 04:56:34 AM: Be fun having her help with her bow build.

Doesn't get any better, Cody.

:thumbsup: