hova, I pm'd you.

Did anyone mention longer bows and shorter draw lengths would mean less limb stress and less set?

I hate set in a bow. So I reflex the heck out of them limb tips before tillering:)

bona, I didn't actually say it, but I did mention proper design and that definitely goes with it. I keep my personal bow around 58 to 60in ntn for my 26in draw

b.glass , i was going to check the site out , but it has been listed as a mal-ware site via google , and my site-checker. 19 malicious scans since 12/08/2010 ... im just gonna skip it for now , and check youtube...


-hov

You start with 2 in of reflex and end up even but you still have 2 in of set.     Jawge

im no expert , but i am a member of the "set happens" club. if youre absolutely against set , id suggest glass bows...


stickbow anonymous
-hov

I strongly disagree. Striving for zero set on all wood bows is always my goal. Makes me think more, scrape less.The less set the more thought and patience was given.
Just an opinion.
Jeff

You can always overbuild and get no set.  Make your osage bow 70" long for a 26" draw and you won't get set.  But the trick is to optimize design.  This is always a balancing act.  There are no shortcuts and you can't cheat.  Wood is a harsh judge.  What is it they say; "Nature can be a muther"?

Tim Baker hypothesized this basic tenet a few years ago as I remember it.  Every piece of wood has a thickness that will bend to a certain radius and take no set.  Find that thickness at your radius (draw length and design) and you shouldn't get set.  Now adjust width to get to the weigh you want.  Twice as wide means twice as heavy.

George, your point is very true but 2" of set after 2" of reflex is a better option than 2" of set from a straight stave. There's probably a fancier way to say it.

I'm trying to build a few bows according to Mr. Baker's instructions. Using red oak. Not one of my favorite bow woods but if I can make a 50 lb. bow out of red oak that shoots 150 yds or better, then maybe I will have learned something. Atleast that's my thinking.

Make a 2" wide, 68" NTN Holmegard red oak and it'll do it.  It will still have 2" or more of set though.  Red oak is not great in compression even if reflexed.  Wider and thinner is better with red oak and other compression weak woods.  Given sufficient width for the weight and radius, the less thickness, the less crushing, the less set.