Where to start?

[Crittergetter]

Well i said I wasn't going to start anymore bows until after deer season, but I'm getting the itch and starting to go crazy! I want to build a 3 piece to take caribou hunting next year. I've never done a 3 piece so I need some advice on where to start.
I can tell you that it'll be Bocote and Osage and I'll be using the bocote veneers I got from Kenny on the St. Jude's auction!!

[Roy from Pa]

I thought all your bows came out in 3 pieces?  LOL  

[kennym]

longbow or recurve?

[Crittergetter]

Roy, where am I at on that thumpin list? I'm thinking about making a run at the top spot!
Kenny, Longbow!

[Roy from Pa]

Heck you've had the top spot locked up for about 6 months now...  

[kennym]

I can send a trace of this template if you want. You don't have to put the pc between limb butts if you like em open. Roy has one, and David Flanrey is hunting with one this year if you wanna get some input on em....

[Crittergetter]

Does that mean I'm king of the mountain??!!?
Kenny shoot me an email and I'll take a look at it. I've got a limb profile I like, just don't know where to start. Pad angle, wedge length, ect.....  How do you keep your wedges in place during glue up? How do you figure the pad angle? Can you adjust pad angle later if need be by adding glass or phenolic and regrinding the angle. Or take more off and add new glass?I know there will be some trial and error. I know what I want just don't know how to get there!

[kennym]

limb profile- you got one you like , great start.

pad angle- need the tips at least 1.5" ahead of back of handle imo.

wedge length- I went with the standard 8"

Keeping wedges in place- easy with the form with pin to butt against. The wedge tries to squeeze out the end, so the lams will be what moves! LOL

pad angle figuring- see pad angle comment above , draw bow out on butcher paper and make sure tips are ahead of back of handle(to give her some preload) , Let me warn ya, if you go more than 2" be careful, I built one at 4" and it was kind of unruly to shoot.  If you wanna change it, I would change the riser....

[kennym]

On that bow with 16" riser, .003 total taper with tip wedge and power lam, and 8" wedge, 50# took .325 so it is a bit quicker than my one pc due to lighter limb mass.....

[Roy from Pa]

Yup Kenny made me one, looks cool and is pretty quick.

[Crittergetter]

Good deal. Thx for the info Kenny. I'll shoot you a pm tomorrow and get a trace of that template! Thank you sir!

[wcdurand]

Kenny, that bow looks like a shooter!!! I am having a look at pronghorn take down to build something similar.