hey guys i am totally new to bow building and am thinking about getting started but i have a few questions first. on a t/d recurve how do you determine the angle to set the limbs at? what would be some good riser woods? im wanting it to be around 14-16 inches and thinking of maybe back walnut, mahogany, purple heart, or similar woods (trying to be unique and creative)..again just trying to plan it out before i get started. im kinda a perfectionist so i like knowing what im getting into before i start. i really want to do a take down and am aware of most of the challenges through diligent research. but there is always a lot to learn. thank you for any advice and for all the good info on here.
Welcome to the gang, you are going to like this place. If your totally new and have lots of questions, I would suggest a couple of places but where I started was Binghamprojects.com as have a lot of others here. They have dvds and instructions printed(+ blueprints or plans which are very reasonable) and if your ancient like I am maybe a video tape to watch them build a first bow. They use 11 degrees on their limb pad angles to answer your question. Some of their riser blocks are 2x3 1/2/22" for take down risers.As for the woods you mentioned I'll go the purple heart or walnut (if it is reinforced) but the mahogany is not the best IMHO. I dont know what part of Ariz. your from but I know Texas is too far to come help you. Maybe somebody from around there will pop up here, at any rate good luck... :thumbsup:
Binghams Projects X2. Even if you decide to go a totally different way you owe it to yourself to check them out. I think they have been at it since the late fifties and have a wealth of knowledge to help you out. Mike said the videos were ancient but when I began they didn't even have those it was written instructions. I must have read those instructions a million times to get it through my thick skull what is was they were trying to tell me. Very first bow made a shooter.
thank you guys for the information. binghams is actually where i got the idea..sorta..lol. its a cool sight and lots of info. i was wondering if the angle of the limbs changed the weight of the bow?
Yes the angle of your riser will change the poundage... I changed the angle of my take down longbow a few years back by 3 degrees and the jumped up 10 # in weight.
By the way what part of AZ are ya in?
im in the apache junction area...unfortunately i have to wait for state citizenship to come around to be able to go hunting :p which wont be until early december :banghead: ..but while im waiting i figured i would start a new project :D
i am leaning towards bubinga but would rather do black walnut with boo and cherry accents..possibly. but i am curious to what it means to reinforce? like i said i am relatively new to this and am asking questions while in the research phase. is walnut a brittle wood or would bubinga be a better choice? the bow im looking to build would be *hopefully* between 50-55@28" i would settle for higher 40 like 47-49 but would prefer above 50 just because i do plan on hunting with it like deer, elk, bear and pig and am more comfortable with more than 50#...what do you guys think?