If you want to have a good starting point, download Stu's calculator!It helped me a lot.   http://www.heilakka.com/stumiller/.  It is important to know how much center cut your bow is. Most recurves are 3/16 and most longbows are around zero, but ask your bowyer.
Don't forget to substract 1/16 for your strike plate, so 3/16 becomes 2/8.
Also take care that you know how many strands your string is, it's a lot of difference if your string is 6 or 16 strands.

Stu will elp you to get very close, but as soon as you are used to your new set-up, you have to bareshaft or papertune as the last step.

As for sealing the shafts: I only lacquer the last 10 inches, where the feathers come (like a wrap). I give it four layers to make it last longer. By doing this you will ad appr. 25 grains to the end of the shaft (important for Stu's calculator)
I treat the rest of the shaft  with thung oil. After the first layer has dried I rub it with steelwol to make the shaft smooth and then give it a second layer.

bjorn i asked lancaster archery after i recieved the bow for christmas and he said it was 3/8 past center. im not sure it thats correct or not im just going by what he said.
thanks guys for all the info i think i might get the 3rivers how to dvd on making arrows to kinda guide me along.

steven

QuoteOriginally posted by Flying Dutchman:
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Don't forget to substract 1/16 for your strike plate, so 3/16 becomes 2/8.

You meant 1/8 there Dutchman.
Lots of good info guys. Thanks

Steven, I suspect the Lancaster guy fed you some bad info.  String up both your bows and stand them against a wall.  Look at the bows and line up the strings so they run down the center of the limbs.  You will be able to see pretty close how deep the shelf is cut.  For reference, the Palomino will be cut to center.  Let us know what you see.

well he must be wrong. it looks exstemly close to center or a hair too the right.(right handed). will this effect my spine?

It will affect what spine you need.  Go back to Bjorn's formula and that should get you pretty close.  He adds 5 for the recurve, whereas I tend to add 10, but that is also assuming a hard string.  Start with 10 for the Samik, 5 for the Palomino,.