First time trying to build a glass laminated bow

Kurogane84 · February 17, 2026, 07:30:32 AM

Hi Rhonda, this is the first post for me. I've been trying to figure out how you guys figure out what lamination thickness you need to build your glass lam bows

I've got two designs. I'd like to do, but the one I'm most wanting to do is a copycat of the bear archery Montana, and the three rivers archery Tomahawk Desert Fox, diamond series rd bow.

I am wanting to build a 45 pound at 28 inch for both, I have an idea of what lamination and glass I would like, but I can't figure out the thickness of the pieces. Also I'm in Canada and there's not many places where I can get veneers or lamination I can buy from very few shops in the states. Any advice?

Crooked Stic · February 17, 2026, 08:00:48 AM

Have you got either one of those bows that you want to copy. If so measureit at the fades. Figure out the taper per inch. Then measure from the fade to the center. And add the taper in, If you have traced your design that will get you close. Mileage may vary until you get a couple under your belt.

Kurogane84 · February 17, 2026, 08:06:29 AM

Quote from: Crooked Stic on February 17, 2026, 08:00:48 AMHave you got either one of those bows that you want to copy. If so measureit at the fades. Figure out the taper per inch. Then measure from the fade to the center. And add the taper in, If you have traced your design that will get you close. Mileage may vary until you get a couple under your belt.

Yes, I do have both of those. I'm just trying to nail down the thickness so I can just buy everything that I can,
I have to ask how do you guys actually figure out your laminations is a trial and error or do you just find one somewhere and measure it?

Camp Creek · February 17, 2026, 09:07:35 AM

I have downloaded the Virtual Bow software recommended to me by some on this site. You can play around with profile and laminations in the software quite a bit. I haven't been able to test its accuracy though.

Kirkll · February 17, 2026, 11:56:36 PM

Do you have a drum sander and the means to make your own tapered laminations and wedges?

If you post some photos of the limb designs, we can at least give you a starting point for taper rates and stack height. Be prepared for some trial an$ error though. Every design is different, and it may take a couple lay ups to figure out your draw weight requirements. Just keep a good log of what your materials, taper rates, wedge configuration, and mark your bow form where you trim the butt and where to locate the tip notches.

This takes time to get figured out.

Kurogane84 · February 18, 2026, 01:11:56 AM

Quote from: Camp Creek on February 17, 2026, 09:07:35 AMI have downloaded the Virtual Bow software recommended to me by some on this site. You can play around with profile and laminations in the software quite a bit. I haven't been able to test its accuracy though.

I will have to take a look at that thank you for the suggestion

Kurogane84 · February 18, 2026, 01:13:07 AM

Quote from: Kirkll on February 17, 2026, 11:56:36 PMDo you have a drum sander and the means to make your own tapered laminations and wedges?

If you post some photos of the limb designs, we can at least give you a starting point for taper rates and stack height. Be prepared for some trial an$ error though. Every design is different, and it may take a couple lay ups to figure out your draw weight requirements. Just keep a good log of what your materials, taper rates, wedge configuration, and mark your bow form where you trim the butt and where to locate the tip notches.

This takes time to get figured out.

I don't have drum sander. I have oscillating sander, a router table and a 4 x 36 or 38 inch belt sander and I will post a few pictures later on in the morning. I measure them the best that I can but do you guys all cut your own laminations or do you buy them pre cut and taper yourselves?

Kirkll · February 19, 2026, 10:27:27 AM

I can't imagine building laminated bows without a drum sander, although I got pretty creative when I first started building lam grinding jigs for my edge sander. I don't even know if you can buy tapered lams anymore unless you sweet talk another bowyer into grinding some for you.

Good luck.

OldRawhide42 · February 19, 2026, 11:46:14 AM

I think the Rosewood shop might still sell them

Jeff tech · February 19, 2026, 04:53:15 PM

3 Rivers still sells tapered laminations. I think they have them in .002 and maybe .001

KenH · February 20, 2026, 07:52:40 AM

I have a Lam Stack Calculator Excel Spreadsheet which IIRC I got from somone here, years ago. Works just fine, have built several bows using it over the years... Plug in a few numbers about your desired bow andit will give you the stack...

Can't post it here... wrong doc type. Email me at kenhulme at mindspring.com and I'll send it to you.

Kirkll · February 22, 2026, 11:21:19 AM

Quote from: Kurogane84 on February 17, 2026, 08:06:29 AM
Quote from: Crooked Stic on February 17, 2026, 08:00:48 AMHave you got either one of those bows that you want to copy. If so measureit at the fades. Figure out the taper per inch. Then measure from the fade to the center. And add the taper in, If you have traced your design that will get you close. Mileage may vary until you get a couple under your belt.

Yes, I do have both of those. I'm just trying to nail down the thickness so I can just buy everything that I can,
I have to ask how do you guys actually figure out your laminations is a trial and error or do you just find one somewhere and measure it?

Until you have built a few it's trial and error. Start a bowyers log an keep detailed records. Type of materials used, wedge length and taper rate, limb length, and tip notch location. Use a std width profile pattern to start out every bow, and then measure the stack height. Once you have a few under your belt, you can use a lam stack calculator to go up or down in draw weight.