New bow builder questions.

[wood carver 2]

Hello everyone, I have been enjoying the Trad Gang forum for a couple of months now and I want to thank all the guys who post on the Bowyers Bench. I have gone from wanting to build my own longbow to having a shooter in my hands because of all the great information here.
My first attempt blew up (twice!),but my second try worked out.It's not perfect and it's too light for deer hunting, but I'm happy with it and I'm already started on #2.
Here are some pics of #1.
 
 
 
This bow is 66 1/2" long,55"ntn, 32# @ 28".The limbs are bamboo back,jatoba power lam,black walnut,planed bamboo belly.The riser is white oak,maple,walnut and padauk and the tips are padauk and antler.When I draw it, this bow feels a lot heavier than 32#. I've drawn a friends' bow at 55# that feels lighter.
If it's alright, I'd like to ask a couple of questions relating to my next bow.It will be a R/D longbow as well, but I'm making this a 3 piece takedown. Can a bamboo backed bow be built like this? My idea is as follows:
1/8" bamboo + 1/4" or 5/16" jatoba or maple tapering to 1/16" + 1/4" wedge 8" or 9" long + 1/8" bamboo belly.
The flooring bamboo I have for the belly appears to be the woven strand type. Is this ok or should I get laminated stock?
Any help will be appreciated.
Thanks.

[Mike Most]

This bow is 66 1/2" long,55"ntn, 32# @ 28".
Hey Welcome to tradgang, looks like your well on your way to having a great time.

Clarify for me if you will 66 1/2" bow, 55" ntn?? Normally the nocking grooves are 3/4 to maybe an inch inside the total length.

So a 66" bow would be 64" ntn.

How did you measure the weight of your bow?
(I usually string my bow, hang it by the string on a 100 lb scale and pull down with an arrow nocked and marked at 28" and then get someone to read the result.)

Not a real expert here but I am sure we can get you further down the road.  Great looking bow by the way.. Regards

[wood carver 2]

Hi Mike,sorry for the confusion.My bow is 65"ntn.
I weighed my bow while it was still on the tillering tree using a suitcase scale.I had it verified at a local bow shop when I went there to buy a string.It feels like I'm pulling over 50# when I draw it.I don't know why that is.
Dave.

[KellyG]

I have a question just too make sure, your friends bow is not a compound is it? I am just asking to make sure for if it is that is why, if not then who knows. I just finished my first one also and I am dreading to put it on a scale.
You did an outstanding job it looks great, and heck I bet you cans shoot it all day at that draw.

[wood carver 2]

Thanks for the compliments.The bow I shot with at my friends' place is a 62" R/D longbow that pulls at 55#.I'm not sure who the builder is but I'd love to own a bow like it.
The day after I finished my bow I took it to another friends' place and we both shot a few arrows through it.It does shoot nicely with almost no hand shock. I have to remember to wear a bracer though.Being new to trad archery, I keep getting swatted by the string.
Dave.

[KellyG]

Oh wood carver 2 I forgot you know you are suppose to post a full draw pic. I think it is in the bylaws some were.  

[wood carver 2]

You just want to see what my ugly mug looks like!LOL.Tomorrow my sisters' kids are coming over so I'll get one of them to take a picture of me and my bow.
Dave.

[wood carver 2]

Here is a picture of my 1st. longbow at full draw.It's not perfect but it will do.
 
This morning I built the form for the limbs of my second bow.I'll get started sawing lams later in the day.
Dave.

[Don Drake]

Well I'm officially impressed, that's a great looking bow!

[wood carver 2]

Thank you.It's amazing what you can do with some left over pieces of wood and some glue.And also a lot of good information from this forum.
I've been bitten by the bug.Bow building is as much fun as carving and I can hunt with the result then hang the bow on the wall and admire it.
Dave.