Determining OAL

MacRae · January 17, 2014, 01:43:00 PM

Hello All!

I want to make myself a Hickory backed Ipe bow for next fall. In the narrow, deep round belly style.

I have a 24" draw length (no hobbit jokes....well maybe a few)....and I want a draw weight of 60#@24".

Using something I saw:
24 + 24= 48
20% of 48 is 9.6. Round to 10.

Therefore (if I understand this correctly) the bow should be an OAL of 58"?

What should to OAL be? This is not my first bow however....

I am 64" tall...

bornofmud · January 17, 2014, 01:47:00 PM

What is OAL?

MacRae · January 17, 2014, 02:03:00 PM

OAL=Over All Length

fujimo · January 17, 2014, 02:09:00 PM

depends whether you want the bow to bend thru the handle- or with a stiff handle. that will have a big effect on the OAL.
bend thru the handles can be shorter!

MacRae · January 17, 2014, 02:18:00 PM

Stiff handle....

macbow · January 17, 2014, 02:27:00 PM

If you make it longer the benefits would be smoothness of draw. I 'd recommend 62 to 64 inches.
Even with the shorter draw.

fujimo · January 17, 2014, 02:34:00 PM

i think the formula was( might need correction here) 2x draw length plus 10" for stiff handle. and only plus 4" for bendy.
but nowdays i build them to the length that i want and like- as i do prefer a slightly longer bow anyway. as i figure if i can drag my 6'2" frame of pure muscle, sinew and good looks :D thru the bush, i can surely get my 64"to 68" longbow thru with me as well.

fujimo · January 17, 2014, 02:35:00 PM

x2 what mac says!!!

Roy from Pa · January 17, 2014, 02:38:00 PM

Agree with Macbow on 62. Shorter bows aren't as smooth all the way around as longer bows.

Roy from Pa · January 17, 2014, 02:41:00 PM

as i figure if i can drag my 6'2" frame of pure muscle, sinew and good looks [Big Grin] thru the bush,

Wayne I don't know what kind of beer your drinking up there, but send me a case please?

fujimo · January 17, 2014, 02:49:00 PM

way off the sissy pants beer here- good ol mountain moonshine!!
got a mate here the brews all his own'holy water'
he's an italiano- makes great "preserved" fruit. couple of cherries from a mason jar- whooo wee!!
not much to remember the next day!!!

Roy from Pa · January 17, 2014, 02:59:00 PM

LOL, I understand. My best friend makes booze and adds 190 proof grain alcohol to it. Talk about a memory loss:) Can't remember anymore how many bows broke while tillering them out:)

scars · January 17, 2014, 11:57:00 PM

Correct me if I am wrong but I thought that the formula you are using is a N2N total? If so than you would be at and oal of 60". And with a ipe rounded belly that should be a screamer.