There are plenty of books out there on making self bows and even backed bows, but are there any books that go into the process of making glass bows?
Bingham offers a dvd and instructions for building glass bows but they really don't go into the details and reasons as to why or why not when it comes to designs and materials. I guess theory is the word I'm looking for I guess.
There are lots of talented bowyers here on the Gang that share their knowledge too.
Troy, Probably the best book ever written on glass bow building is "Traditional Bowyers of America" written by Dan Bertlan got my copy about 12 years ago and I still refer to it.Some of our Sponsors on here carry it.
How about the 2" thick monster book from JACK HARRISON? Go up top of the forum home pg and click on the tradarchers world banner and call Tom. or call Jack himself. The magazine and Harrison have a great deal going on a 3yrs subscription and the book. It is not cheap but the magis great and the book has way more info than the Bertalan book. www.tradarchersworld.com (http://www.tradarchersworld.com) or Jacks no. is 907-376-4969.
Better yet, give TODD SMITH a call and he can set you up withwhat you need to do. if you want that book. Todd is at 260-665-3405 or 269-316-8075. Todd also has a banner up top on the forum home pg.
by the way, GOOD MORNING ALL! Chuck
Harrison's book "Traditional Bowyer and more unneccessary fun" and the instructional material from Binghams are the best you're going to find on the process.
I was surprised to find Harrison's book in our local library.... might check there just in case.
I need to get the Bertalan book. I have Harrison's and there is a ton of information there, but it can be hard to dig out and much of it goes too far into theory for me.
There are any number of buildalongs on the lists. I'm working on one right now myself. I'm building a bow for the Howard Hill Longbowmen to pass around and hunt with. I want them to have at least a vicarious involvement in the bow right from the start, so I'm sharing most of my thoughts and decisions as I go... everything that will affect the outcome of the bow, plus a fair amount of talk about the tools and their use. I'm trying to keep it as basic as I can. (At my level of experience it would be hard to be otherwise!) I started from a yew plank and bring you in right at floor level... bamboo flooring level, that is. I've cut and ground the lams and riser. I'd have done the layup today, but it's my 52nd anniversary and somehow the wife doesn't see me spending it in the shop...
You can check the pages out at:
http://dickwightman.com/archery/bowyering/buildingopabow/buildingopabow.html
The work isn't done yet, but let me know if you find it helpful.