Question for Tri-lam Gurus

[Pago]

In an earlier thread it was recommended I find some good belly wood to go with the Bamboo back and Red Elm core I have.  This weekend I found a nice flat sawn hickory board at the hardwood store. So I am considering making a BEH tri-lam. What do you guys think? Any thoughts on stack or length? It will be for my Son who is 6'1" and wants 50-55#.  Oh, this will be our first tri-lam. Thanks.

[Bowjunkie]

It should work. What side unstrung profile?

Ballpark, for say a deflex/reflex longbow, I'd go 66" ntn. 1 1/4" wide. Bamboo 1/8" tapered to 1/16". Elm, .200 at the center tapered to .080 at the tips. Hickory, .200 parallel.

[Pago]

I need to ask him, but I was thinking a little deflex and a little reflex.  I haven't built the form yet and have never built a tri-lam form. But am open to suggestions. Planning on using smooth-on or tb3. It's funny, I really want to help my son get his bow built but I originally bought this hickory to build a board bow. It would mmake a good one, but a goodtri-lam will be much better.

[Bowjunkie]

I like smooth on, but glue choice largely depends on how the gluing surfaces are prepped... or how they're prepped should depend on glue choice.

For a first one, I wouldn't get too crazy. 1 1/2" of deflex and 2 1/2" or 3" of reflex should result in a bow who's tips are about even either the front of the handle.

Have you backed bows with bamboo before?

[Roy from Pa]

Fully adjustable tri lam form for whatever deflex reflex you want. 1" oak board, 6" wide and 68" long. 1" steel angle iron bolted down both long sides. Center post 3 3/4" high, mid limb posts 2 3/4" high, and end posts 6" high, made from 2x4's.

 

 

[Pago]

Thanks guys, you provided exactly what I was hoping for.  I have a plan, now if I can get some time off I will start making some progress.  My guys needed a weekend off so the "B" team filled in (including me) but we managed to make 76K pounds of product in 2 days not bad for a fat middle aged man lol.

[LittleBen]

My only advice, go with the smooth on. I don't like that TBIII adds so much moisture on tri+ lam bows. For a simple backed bow it's ok, but every glue line just adds more water to the wood and I'm pretty sure it takes forever to dry back out.

[Pago]

I will, thanks.