First lam bow on the form.

[Mike-dy]

Well, I've made a start, the first glass lam bow is on the form glued up. 40thou clear glass over one piece silky oak lams Tapered from 2mm in the centre to 1mm, one tapered bamboo lam same taper and on full length 2mm bamboo parallel lam, with a 16" sugar gum handle. all self made bar the glass. Starting out with a basic flat laid design. Using 40psi in the homemade air clamp. Can't be any harder than a selfbow
Cheers,
Mike

[Benny Nganabbarru]

Good for you! One day I'll give it a go. All the best with it.

[Mike-dy]

Helps not having a job anymore, plenty of free time

[Stickbow Hunter]

Lookin' good! All the best with it and keep us up to date with your progress.

Can't be any harder than a selfbow

It can be a lot harder on ya tools though.

Jeff

[UPTHETOP]

Good luck Mike hope it all comes together.

Cheers Wayno

[Bill]

Mike, you have done it.................Bill

[Glenn]

All the best Mike, you will enjoy making your own bow. Just don't be in a hurry to arrive at the finished product, enjoy every step of the whole process, they seem to turn out a lot better if you do...Glenn...

[wal]

Looks good Mike, often looked at the build alongs and think how clever and skilled some blokes are. Bummer about the job mate, "one door closes and another one opens" my dear old Mum always said when I struck a rough patch, hope it works for you bud.

Cheers
wayne

[Mike-dy]

Looks good Mike, often looked at the build alongs and think how clever and skilled some blokes are. Bummer about the job mate, "one door closes and another one opens" my dear old Mum always said when I struck a rough patch, hope it works for you bud.

Cheers
wayne

Not streesed to muched about the job they were pretty generous with the package I was offered, so I see it as an opportunity to do all these things that I have wanted to but haven't had the time , still need to finish working the osage stave in the shed down, but Ive made self bows before so the lam bow has priority now.
Cheers,
Mike

[Gringa Bows]

good luck with the bow Mike ,theres no stopping you now ,are you planning the next one yet ,i finished another 90lber today.............Rod

[Mike-dy]

Already got the lams ground just need to finish the fades on on of the handle blanks I made up, just too many choices of wonderful Aussie timber

[ivorycollector]

Well done Mike. Good to see another aspiring bowyer! Did you get those firehose and end plugs locally?

[pdccr]

Is it totally necessary to have a hose running through the form or will clamps work just as good?

[Mike-dy]

Well done Mike. Good to see another aspiring bowyer! Did you get those firehose and end plugs locally?

Got the Irrigation hose hose from the farm, same as fire hose, used PVC fittings and Hose clamps from Bunnings and Supercheap, and a 26" thorn proof Mountain bike tube.
Was going to do a build along for it because its just too easy to use, figured others may be interested in how I did it. If I get enough interest I may still.

Is it totally necessary to have a hose running through the form or will clamps work just as good?

A lot of guys out there use clamps or strips of rubber, My reasons for building my form like this were:
: its easier to get and even pressure from one end of the bow to the other compared to clamps or rubber strip. This should translate into better glue lines.
: cheaper and lighter than using G clamps
: much faster setup time at Glue up.
The biggest draw back is having to build a two piece form.

Cheers,
Mike

[pdccr]

I'm making my first lam bow and i am just using a flat piece of wood the same width as the bow with G-clamps. I dont want to go into the detail of the hoses but they look as though they are more efficient.

[Mike-dy]

How long are you making your bow (s) have a spare air tube here the I made a couple of inches too short for me Be happy for it to go to a good home.

[pdccr]

Thanks for the offer. I think its going to be 68" long. Flat laid so having no tube shouldnt be a problem if its too short.

[Mike-dy]

Just went and checked in the shed It will do up to 72" in a pinch, if you're interested let me know, If you already have your Clamps and don't want to build a two piece form somebody else may want it.
Cheers,
Mike

[pdccr]

Thanks mate, i dont have much experience with pressure hoses so what else would i need for the 2 piece form? Some pressure system i guess, some brackets?

[Gringa Bows]

i used a strong string to clamp down my first few bows,but it was to hard on the hands,i noticed a couple of blokes on here were using inner tube so i tried it and thats all i've used since,but i'de like to try the airhose idea one day .............Rod

[whippet]

looks good mike you can give us chapter and verse if you make it to the LB100 ?.
cheers graham

[longbow steve]

Hi Mike, If your home made hose is functional would you mind doing a thread on materials and construction?
You mentioned you are useing 40 psi, others recomend 60+psi, is your hose up to the higher pressure? Steve

[pdccr]

Agreed, it might help some of us beginners out.

[Mike-dy]

I'll try and answer all questions without quoting, I'll see you at the LB100 Graham, Hopefully with a bow or two, can bring the whole form if your interested.
Have had the hose pumped up to 60psi, 40 was recommended to me by another boywer whos built plenty this way. Being the first I now have a chance to play around with pressures and check glue line etc and do some destructive testing of my own.
For the top form it is just a mate to the bottom held together with 40x3mm strap.
with a 40mm gap between top and bottom and radiused around the handle.
This form has been made with a dual purpose in mind, flatlaid bows on top as it is in the pic and with a swivel of the side supports, turn it upside down and it will become a reflex bow form, three pieces of timber for two forms, save some costs and storage.
Being a bike tube inside the irrigation hose I use a foot pump to pump it up, just has a standard car valve stuck through the hose which I have put a brass grommet around.

[Mike-dy]

Hi Mike, If your home made hose is functional would you mind doing a thread on materials and construction?
You mentioned you are useing 40 psi, others recomend 60+psi, is your hose up to the higher pressure? Steve

Sounds like a job for tomorrow out in the shed after I have the bow roughed out and the next one laid up, just between carving the dozen bone nocks for the bamboo arrows with stone heads. I think the neighbours cat ate the sinew I had drying on the fence though so I might have to put the arrows on hold for a while. Did I say I had plenty of free time

[longbow steve]

Thats the spirit , we cant have you sitting on your behind can we . Steve
Just had another look at the form, great idea. Steve

[pdccr]

This form has been made with a dual purpose in mind, flatlaid bows on top as it is in the pic and with a swivel of the side supports, turn it upside down and it will become a reflex bow form,

How does the form become a reflex form?

[Mike-dy]

The reflex side isn't finished yet, I'll Post some pics when its done

[pdccr]

Ah thats why, i even turned my computer upside down to try and see it

[Trad Bound]

Hi Mike
Good luck with the bow making, knowing you with your eye for detail it should be good. Given your history with leatherwork and that work of art "arrow spinner".
The approach you are using is very similar to that used by Mark Eastham " the Big Karhoonah" who has been using that form approach very succesfully for some time now. I spent an afternoon with him in his workshop recently discussing arrow and bowmaking the man is a wealth of knowledge. His bows are very well regarded and you will see a few of them at the LB 100.
So what will you be shooting at LB 100? the Jarweth, Howard Hill or this new one.
Bring some of that leatherwork along as well , I'm trying to complete two Bowie knives with sheathes to bring along but time is running out.
Look forward to seeing you in a week's time.
Cheers TonyJ