So i am looking into getting into making bows with reflex and/or deflex either in "selfbows" or in laminates. I was wondering how people go about it and what is also required to make one/how to make the jigs needed. I have been making longbows for two years and shooting for that long so i know that stuff and have the required to make longbows but want to expand now.
Thanks Mo :campfire:
Mo, go to Binghamsprojects.com They have all you need to know to get started. Then come back here and get the "professional secrets" from some of the best!
if you have luck making selfbows you could make a caul to heat in the reflex/deflex.
Dean Torges is another Fine Bowyer You should Check out!! "Hunting the Bamboo Backed Bow" is an Excellent source of this Great Mans Ideas and Processes!! Money Well Spent!!
Thanks Pat.
Sorry what is a Caul?
a caul is basically a form which is used to bend reflex and/or deflex into a bow stave while using a heat gun or other heat method. if you do a search for the word"caul" youll come up with some good examples.
I haven't seen many selfbows with a deflex/reflex profile, but reflexing a stave is a good way to add some early draw weight and increase performance. The d/r profile can be glued in pretty easily using a form like this:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v701/Squishy_brain/0707001911.jpg)
You spread glue on both sides of the lamination, wrap it in strips of junk bike innertubes, and just clamp it to the form at mid-limb. You don't need the spring clamps or the c-clamps at the tips. (hindsight!)
~John
oh, and Dean Torges' "Hunting the...." video is a GREAT one to watch.
I made this form using a template I got from KennyM (http://i596.photobucket.com/albums/tt46/Robertfishes/firstlongbowdryrun.jpg) (http://i596.photobucket.com/albums/tt46/Robertfishes/2ndlongbowalmostdone1.jpg)
robert i know i alot of people use water pressure to keep the glued pieces togather. how do you get that pressure?
I'm using a 1 1/2" firehose with milled aluminum end plugs from Binghams, one end has a metal valve stem(like a truck tire) that I slowly add 65psi of AIR pressure to, takes about 5 minutes?. I start off with a bike pump and slowly add air, when I hit about 55psi I stop using the hand pump.. I use my air compressor and take it up to 65psi, then form goes into oven...
if you look at the end of the fire hose you can see the hose clamps holding the plugs in place, plugs are slightly hourglass shaped.. (http://i596.photobucket.com/albums/tt46/Robertfishes/recurveBowform.jpg)