Please help with a new bow project

[nhlan]

Good morning everyone,

I am new to this site and new to bow making.

I am quite excited as I have just ordered some wood to make a riser out of. I don't have access to a lot of the tools that I will need, and I also don't have much knowledge on what glues, shapes, sizes and processes to go through for the limbs and therefore the belly and front curves of the riser as well.

What I am looking for, if any of you have the time to do so are three things:

1. Online forum help with questions that I may have
2. Access to a woodworking tool set to work on various parts of this project - this will be when I need more advanced and accurate cutting, sanding etc than I can get with the simple tools that I can access. - I will be willing to negotiate a "hire" rate for this service and would want to use the tools at your place. This would need to be located around the SE/E suburbs of Melboune to the W/NW suburbs.
3. Help with finding suppliers for the limbs, glues, fibreglass etc.

All assistance, no matter how much or how little will be greatly appreciated.

My plan so far:

I have ordered some wood for a riser, which should arrive in about 1 months time. Once I have this wood, I will commence building the riser.

In the meantime, I will be mocking up some templates for the riser to be cut against. During this time, I intend to source someone who can help me with the limb shaping, cutting etc. This is so that I can get the curves in the riser as correct as possible for any templates that the person helping me with the limbs may have already.

I will also need to know what glues will stick extremely hard exotic woods during this time so that if I need to order them, I can do so in time for the materials to arrive.

Once the riser has been completed, I will be looking at sourcing limb materials and fiberglass sheeting - this is something that I may ask more questions about later

I will then shape the limbs and attach them to the riser - this is probably the most likely time that I will need assistance with tools.

I will intend (intend as this is my first try) to make a 40lb 59" AMO reflex deflex style flat bow however, am starting with the riser first.

I will probably end up purchasing a string for the bow.

My initial question:

I have searched and googled various sizings and styles of risers. So that I can start mocking up some lengths, can someone please let me know what length the riser should idealy be for a 40lb @ 26inch draw length 59" AMO flatbow?

I know this is a lot to request, so if it's too much to ask for, I won't be disheartened.

Thank you very much for taking the time to look at this

Kind Regards,

L

[bigbob]

firstly Nhlan, welcome to Ozbow! good people on her who can help with advice. My advice to a first timer is to go with an established design such as can be bought from someone like Binghams projects, a firm in USA specialising in bow building supplies. They have their own blue prints and all bow making components for sale and will offer all advice for a first time maker including lamination stack sizes for a given weight etc. I strongly advise this as a preferable way in which to get a favourable result for your first bow.

[nhlan]

Thank you very much.

I'll have a look into the templates and see if I can get one that suits the wood that I'm getting for the riser.

[Outbackdad]

Welcome to Ozbow.
Hope you enjoy you project, you can get a lot of enjoyment form making your own gear.

Eddie

[nhlan]

Thank you

[greybeard]

Welcome to Ozbow.

Is this going to be a one off project or are you looking at making several bows?

For your first attempt I agree with Bigbob in getting ground laminations etc. from Bingham Projects. Download their catalogue so you can check their extensive range of bow making materials.

At present the exchange rate against the US$ is not good and postage out of the USA appears to have taken quite a big jump. You could also get a price for materials from John Clark at Ausbow Industries in South Australia.

When grinding laminations, thickness is measured in thousandths of an inch and taper rates in the range of .001” per lineal inch. I don’t know of any bowyers in the Melbourne area who make laminated glass bows and who could help you with equipment.

The following is a little confusing, are you talking about a three piece take down bow.

..........I will then shape the limbs and attach them to the riser - this is probably the most likely time that I will need assistance with tools............59" AMO.......

Perhaps you could post a photo or a diagram of the bow you have in mind.

Is there a particular reason you have chosen 59” n to n.

Daryl.

[nhlan]

Hello,

Thank you for your reply,

I just thought 59 may be alright for my 25.5-26" draw length.

This is probably going to be a one off bow.

I would like to make this a one piece flat bow, so I can see how what I said was confusing. Ill attach the limbs to the riser while shaping them... i more meant that i was going to make the riser blank first then look at making limbs after.

[nhlan]

Hello,

I have been thinking about building this bow now while i waited for all the materials to arrive.

I think it may be easier to build a straight flat bow shape that forms a normal D.

Can someone please tell me if they have time, if the riser needs to have a curve on the front of it for a straight bow, or if the front is also meant to stay straight?