Bingham kits....how difficult?

[Stonedog]

I have been looking at the 1pc recuve kits from Bingham.....it would make a nice winter project.

I build mine own hickory backed ipe longbows....so I am not completely ignorant and have always been a "do it yourselfer"...

How difficult are the Bingham kits?

[macbow]

It has been a number of years since I built 3 piece recurves from Bingham.
The hardest part for me was hitting weight. Always was Too heavy. You can get help here on,stack thickness.
If you have a,bandsaw, belt sander and disc sander should not be a problem.
Other options would be to follow some of the build a longs here like Kenny M. He also sells some good laminations.

[Troy D. Breeding]

For several years the Bingham kits (three piece TD) were all I used. Since then I have come up with my own designs. Never had a problem hitting weight. Just tell the folks at Bingham what limb width, bow length and weight you want.

Follow the instruction and you shouldn't have a problem.

Troy

[jsweka]

Troy summed it up pretty well.  Stick to their design and you'll hit your desired weight.

Binghams is a great way to start building laminated bows.  I as mechanically dis-inclined as one can get, but even I figured out with a Binghams kit.

[Blue EagleBum]

Very nice kits and plans. Within 1 pound on my first 3-piece recurve. Well worth trying out.

[Jim Rocole]

i never had a problem with hitting weight. The plans are straight forward and easy to follow. The only thing I have not liked from Binghams is the limb drilling block.

[stringstretcher]

Jim Rocole?  What did you find wrong with the limb drilling block?

[Troy D. Breeding]

Stringstretcher,

Not trying to answer for Jim, but to be honest IMHO it's about the worst design I've seen. It can be used and do the job, but you have to be very careful during setup.

Not sure of the brand name I use, but it is a self aliening block. Comes in from both sides with just a twist of the screw handle.

Troy

[Jim Rocole]

I found the holes to be off. Almost a 1/16" That will put your limb tips off.  I have used a self centering drill rig from Grizzly and Have not had an issue since. The Binghams uses 4 set screws and getting them perfect is nearly impossible because they will twist and then mar the riser and limb edges.

[macbow]

Good to,see you,guys are hitting weight .  It was quite a few,years ago when I made those bows. Both long bows and 3 piece recurves were about 15 pounds over.
We adjusted,our thickness from there and did ok.
Sounds like it's not an issue now.
Agree on the alignment jig.