First Composite bow.

[Chris Grimbowyer]

Hello. I was planning on trying my first composite bow, No specific type just something easy durable and good shooting. I am planning on using Gemsbok horn on the belly with a wood core and sinew backed. I have searched google and everywhere else to try to find how to make a composite bow with these materials and I could not find any detailed instructions. I will be gluing with titebond 3. What is the best wood for the core and how thick should it be, and must it follow grain? How should I make the horn flat and ready to glue onto the wood. should the core be one solid peace? How to make and or attach the tips, I have normally seen static recurves on composites so I will be going that route. Can I cut off the tips of the gemsbok horn and use them for the tips and should the core recurve into the tip like a working recurve then added the horn or more wood to stop it from bending?

[rainman]

Go into the Archives Mr. Sturdevant has a tutorial on flattening and gluing Gemsbok horn.

[rainman]

I just brought to the top one I did this year.  All the information on where to look is in that thread.

[Chris Grimbowyer]

thank you

[shikari]

I would suggest maple for the core and using hide glue  as these were what was used traditionaly,The hide glue has better gapfilling quality and is also easy to work with.

[Chris Grimbowyer]

ok I will try to find maple and if not I may get some mulberry off ****. For the core must the gran run stright?