Longbow for the kids.

[jess stuart]

There always seems to a good deal of interest in making bows for the kids.  
Thought I would show you how I make a 52" longbow for the kids, I use a
62" mild R/D form that I don't use much anymore, but it works okay.  I use
2" glass and lams and rip them down to one inch, with a razor knife.


The riser is 14" long and one inch wide to match the width of the lams.


I refuse to cut glass with my bandsaw, so I cut the sight window out before
I glue the bow together.  I wrap the sightwindow cutout in plastic wrap and
reinsert into the riser during glue up, the plastic allows for easy removal,
no need to saw out the window.



Here it is being put on the form and taped down, I just flush up on one side,
as my form is 1 1/2" wide.

I use rubber bands to apply the necessary pressure to close up all the glue
joints.  I have had very good luck doing it this way, does take some time
though.  I need to build a form and use my air hose.

Now it goes in the hotbox for about five hours.  
Other than using the one inch glass and lams it is just like building a full
sized bow.  Here are some finished pics and one drawn to 20".  It came out
15# at 20" should be just about right for a 8-10 year old. I will probably
put a elevated rest on it so arrows with vanes can be used. I know I know,
but they are more durable than feathers.




Thanks for looking, and I hope I inspired someone to build one for a kid.

[kennym]

Nice job Jess!!      

I am inspired!!    

Could you tell me the stack thickness you used?

Thanks!

[PV]

Thanks for showing Jess. Got my wheels turning....

[jess stuart]

Kenny I used .040 glass two .075 x.002 tapers and one .055 parallel.  I usually use aboo for lams and some of them will have bad spots in them.  But I usually can get at least one inch in width.  It is really fun to give one to a kid, and by only using one piece of glass keeps the cost down.  Which means more bang for the buck.

[Swissbow]

Fantastic work, Jess ! Usually I don't like that black glass very much, but with the aboo it makes a very nice contrast.

----------
Andy

[Dave Bowers]

Very nice  

[don s]

that is beautiful. i have two grand daughters and i'm trying to build up the necessary tools to build bows. can you tell me, do you pre cut your sight windows when you build a full sized bow? thanks, don.

[kennym]

Thanks,Jess!

[bjansen]

Very nice Jess.. That will make a happy young boy or girl for sure.

[jess stuart]

Don S I do cut my sightwindow out on full sized bows as well.  It does predetermine which will be your upper and lower limbs.  I just slide one of my tapers a bit to build in some positive tiller.  Works well, been doing it that way for years.

[don s]

thanks jess. don

[Pac'em out]

Looks good, Jess.  Where'd the draw weight end up?

[jess stuart]

Pac'em out she ended up 15# at 20".

[Trux Turning]

Nice Jess!! I still need to give those a try.