Building laminated bows

[adam]

Hey guys,
    I've been building a few board bows and self bows here and there but would really like to build a laminated bow. Can anyone tell me what the price range would be to build one and what tools/materials i would need??Thanks for any help!!!

Adam

[kennym]

PM sent..

[draco]

I think the last one piece longbow I built,buying pre tapered lams,glass and handle blank was 126 dollars.

[Brian Halbleib]

Yes, around $100 is a good number to figure, as long as you don't get too fancy. Go here  www.binghamprojects.com  or call them. They have everything you need and are always helpful with advice.

-Brian
 www.bowyersjournal.com

[elk ninja]

You need a form.  This includes a sheet or a 1/2 sheet) of plywood, some screws and some glue.  I use the clamp style forms so I loaded up on clamps.  Or you can use the fire-hose clamp method.  Or, if it is a straight limbed bow you can use the string and wedge method.  Then, once your form is done, buy the supplies.  Brian has made many, many more bows than I have, but my numbers are always higher than $100, more along the lines of $150.  First bow cost about 200-250, each additional bow cost less.  Good luck, do a lot of searching here and on the web.  My favorate site with a build along (besides here of course!) is  http://www.geocities.com/salampsio/index.html
Mike

[StanM]

Hey Adam,

More than anything else, just be sure that you do it.  I waited longer than I should've before making a bow because I thought there was going to be something really difficult about it.  There isn't.  I've said before that I don't think building a bow is hard, but building a really fancy beautiful bow isn't easy either.

Whatever KennyM sent you in his PM listen to it.  I built a lam grinder after receiving a PM from him and recently finished my first R/D longbow made from lams I grinded myself.  Very satisfying.

Stan

[kennym]

Stan,did we see that bow?      

[SOS]

Adam,

Do a search for "El Cheapo" in the subject line and you can see some build alongs I did for a basic, low budget TD longbow over the summer.  Even a thread on the costs.  And the bow works great....see?
 

Also, I think last year Traditional Bowhunter Mag did a great build along for a straight forward longbow.  

Good luck, quite a thrill to kill a deer with a bow of your own making.  Trust me, as of last Saturday, I know!  Cheers.

[StanM]

Hey Kenny, I'll send ya some pics this weekend.  Stan