Well, I posted my first completed bow, and now I have the next one on my mind...

Im thinking of building a laminated bow but wanted some advice on what material to use...

Obviously im looking for appearance and performance. Just so many options to choose from,  Glass/wood, all wood lam...?

So the question is what would you use?  I think the subject would be cool to see all the different material people would use and what type of build they would do.....

I do plan on making a "Caul" for myself with the "traveling caul design" StoneAK sent me

So lets make that the "Shape/Design" base and now to the material choice..??

I've had good luck w/ and like the appearance of hickory sapwood w/ a hickory heartwood backing strip.

 







Discussion here:

http://paleoplanet69529.yuku.com/topic/36869/Decurve-reflex-hickory-backed-hickory-Flatbow

also on ArcheryTalk.

Nice looking bow....  

That's a start with ideas... I was thinking this would be a good     Brain storm.  Or posibly like a group build that we all have the input and then it turns in to a group build

Or even a place for a dream or wish build...

I'm a fan of using Hickory backings, Black Cherry belly and Black Walnut core lams.  Nice color contrast and these woods perform quite well in these positions.  If you heat temper the cherry and hickory you will get more speed and more color.

I will have to try this one day soon!! The idea of making your own bow and hunting with it is just so cool!!
I have the most respect for all of you who do this..

QuoteOriginally posted by eflanders:
I'm a fan of using Hickory backings, Black Cherry belly and Black Walnut core lams.  Nice color contrast and these woods perform quite well in these positions.  If you heat temper the cherry and hickory you will get more speed and more color.

Pardon  my ignorance, how do you heat temper it?  is there a particualer temp to reach for x amount of time? prior to glue up?  thanks

Could someone inlighten me on were to start for lam thicknesses?...  I am getting ready to buy some lams and have no idea of which thickness to start with or how many...  I was planning on doing a Boo backed hickory lam bow...

My guess for the glue up was going to be a natural boo back/hickory lam/achtion boo/hickory/glass belly....

Would that be to many lams?  

If not what but thickness are they suppose to be?

I have researched and most of my findings reference tappering .002/inch but dont reference what thickness to start....

Thansk-Jerrod

I love making boo backed osage or yew

Jsmoffitt03,for the style of relexed bow I make with a boo back,tapered center lam(.120) and core(3/8") its never thicker than 3/8" - 1/2" at the handle.
 I taper everything,the boo,lams and core before glue up.My bows are reflexed 3" and settle to 1"reflex after break in,62" ntn and 50-60lbs

Jerrod,
Call Kenny M and he will set you straight on what lam thickness and what you may be looking for he was most helpful when I talked to him. I will be ordering my lams from him from now on.
Also try experimenting with the caul design a bit you can make some real nice bows off of there

Been away for a few days.....  Thanks for the input,  I plan on calling kenny and ordering some lams this week... thanks agian