Hey folks,

I am wanting to build a lam bow... Have played a lil with red oak boards... But am wanting to build a glass backed lam bow.... But it seems that most bow forms have a certain look or form. But some of the bows I would like to emulate/imitate tend to have small thin risers with the back lams as a one piece going threw the handle with part of the handle actually being laminated to the back of the bow...

Black MTN sheep eater, shrew, toelke, ACS, are some of the bows that incorporate it in their design. I haven't seen this in most of the forms online though... I also wonder if it the handle would be glued up with the lams and riser or added on later....

How do you go about designing a form like that?

Also I have seen some use a one sided (caul like) form with clamps/innertube or the the firehose style...

Where does a newbie begin???  

Use the search function,  look at kennym design bows.. I bought a template from him and used it to route out my form. Search my name I have posted pics of my form

kenny is the best, but also check out binghams-thats the advice that was given to me by all on this site- they sell a complete kit, which will get you started- then you can get really creative on your next bows, and get all the materials and designs from kenny

I'm just learning here also.  I've found Old Master Crafters very helpful too.

Binghams has a great DVD to watch on building the forms and you can glue riser parts on after the bow is glued up.