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Main Boards => The Bowyer's Bench => Topic started by: Cory Hayes on May 02, 2016, 02:12:00 PM

Title: Help: Limb Thickness for a 50-55# Hill-Style Bow
Post by: Cory Hayes on May 02, 2016, 02:12:00 PM
I'm looking to make a Hill-style bow that is 66" long and draws b/w 50-55#.  My draw length is 28".  Is the following design adequate (back to belly):

{.050 glass/.100 bamboo parallel (x2)/.100 bamboo taper at .002/Jatoba Riser/.030 bamboo parallel/.050 glass}  Total Thickness: .430"

Width: 1&1/8" at the fades; 1/2" at the tips

16" Riser

Will these dimensions get me in the ballpark of 50-55#?  Or is it a little too thick?

My first Hill, made under the tutelage of a friend, had a total thickness of .460" and weighed in at 73# at its first tillering.  I trapped it down to 65#, shot it some, and found it was still too heavy.  

I accidentally left it strung in my truck after a day of stump shooting (DON'T THROW ANYTHING!)and the belly lam came off which caused the maple core to crack.

I'm hoping this second attempt turns out better!

Anyway, thank ya'll for your time.  I've lurked on this forum for a while and have learned a great deal about traditional archery.

Thanks,
Cory
Title: Re: Help: Limb Thickness for a 50-55# Hill-Style Bow
Post by: monterey on May 02, 2016, 02:26:00 PM
You will want more than .002 taper.  

Others will have a better idea on stack but first you need to tell us the length of the riser.
Title: Re: Help: Limb Thickness for a 50-55# Hill-Style Bow
Post by: Cory Hayes on May 02, 2016, 02:42:00 PM
Added riser length to original post.
Title: Re: Help: Limb Thickness for a 50-55# Hill-Style Bow
Post by: jsweka on May 02, 2016, 08:27:00 PM
I'd go with a total stack thickness of 0.500 and use a total taper of 0.005 (two 0.002 tapers, one 0.001 taper, and 1 parallel).  This is at least what past experience has shown me.
Title: Re: Help: Limb Thickness for a 50-55# Hill-Style Bow
Post by: Stagmitis on May 04, 2016, 11:12:00 AM
Cory, I would suggest dropping the riser down to 14" and increasing the length to 68" for your 28" draw. Also, I prefer the width under 1".100.  A .005 total taper and .500 core thickness like JSweka suggests should get you close. A 66" bow with the dimensions you quoted will be a miserable Sob for you to shoot...    :banghead:
Title: Re: Help: Limb Thickness for a 50-55# Hill-Style Bow
Post by: Cory Hayes on May 09, 2016, 04:24:00 PM
Thanks for the suggestions.  I'll probably increase the length, shorten the riser, and add some more taper.  I'll let ya'll know how it turns out when I'm done.