Hickory Backed Ipe Design Help

[passion for knowledge]

Just noticed your question regarding taper.

It's pretty even after the fades out to the tips.

As for using computers, they can only help you think ;-)

I use Blender to model a lot of stuff, just so I can look at things from all angles. I use it for more than just bows.

[macbow]

I think your numbers are good although it makes my head hurt looking at them.
The trouble with engineers is youthink too much. LOL
It is time to just do it. Anything that is a gradual taper to "0" is going to work.

Good luck.

[macbow]

On the bow above the thickness of the lam center is 5/16".
Total length of lam is 13 1/2"
Handle is 9" long from,end,of fades.
Handle thickness at thickest point 1 3/4"

Lam could have been 12" and would,have been fine.

General rule for handles on a longbow is 4" for handle or width of hand then add 2 inches fro each fade.
So 8 inches is good. Would only add a inch or two if desired..

In my opinion longbows with extra lng handles look awkward.

With a 10" handle a 14" lam would be plenty.

[deadsilence]

picked up a bubinga block and some short hickory slats last night and ran the 1/4" thick hickory slat through my tapering setup.  (rigid oscillating belt sander and rockler taper jig, zeroed to sander) It does pretty well and will get you in the ball park.  I went with your suggestion and some from another forum to walk before I run.  8" handle and I made the power lam 12".  Still have to order a backing as the wood shop didn't have any hickory boards that looked that good.

[macbow]

Sounds good.
For thebacking you could order from one of our sponsors.

[deadsilence]

Pine Hollow is in my state so I order from him some.