Recurve design for a longbow guy?

[bornofmud]

So I'm planning on buying the materials to make a recurve form and wood for said recurve after the holidays.  I've decided to start planning, drawing and deciding now, but realized I really don't know where to start!

My plan is to make a recurve model that I can build at a length of 58" 60" and 62" to accommodate shorter and longer draw lengths, the 60" model being the first that I will build and try to get perfect.  My target is to make a very stable bow that is still somewhat maneuverable for hunters, will these lengths accomodate that idea for draw lengths of 25-27.75", 28-29.75", and 30+" respectively?

My other questions are pretty basic.
What are some recommended ratios of deflex to reflex, how far towards the tips do I start the reflex, what are acceptable glass to wood stack ratios, for a 60" bow, what would be the approximate stack thickness with a 22" riser to make a 40-55# bow?  Do you guys use powerlams or tip wedges in these?  

Oh, and what are your limb profiles like?  How wide at the fades, where does the taper start, and how wide at tips? Approximate taper rates through the limb?

Anyone willing to spread some light on recurve design, I'd be most appreciative of your knowledge!! Thanks!!

[LittleBen]

Unfortunately I can't answer any of your questions. Except to say that deflex to reflex will probably depend on bow length and agressiveness.

What I can say is that I had once wanted to emulate a design I saw on PA or somewhere and I couldn't get in touch with the bowyer to get a form template. I just got a photo of the side profile and scaled it to full size in MS paint and printed it out on like 20 sheets of paper, then tape em together and you have your form profile. You could use that method to replicate basically any bow you liked. Granted it won't come off the form EXACTLY in the shape of the form, but it will be darn close. You'll lose a tiny bit of deflex and reflex, but it'll be really really close.

[jess stuart]

You might want to take a look at Binghams Projects recurves.  May not be exactly what you are looking for but, they are proven designs. A bunch of us began with there designs. It would very likely save you a bunch of time and maybe some frustration as well.

[bornofmud]

Yeah, I guess I'm just looking for general parameters so I can draw shapes with some degree of accuracy.  Worst comes to worst I'll just find one I like and try to replicate it, with my own touch of course.  Sadly I have no reference bow to start from, so I'm pretty in the dark as far as even general measurements go.  Sure I could figure it out if I look at enough pics.  One piece recurve build alongs are kind of hard to find!