Laminate bow build feedback request

[Clevelandbowyer88]

So I'm in the middle of buildings a quadlam bow, backing parallel hickory 1/8", then core parellel action bamboo1/16", then ipe core tapered from 1/4" in center to 1/8" at tips and ipe belly parallel 1/8". It's a beefy bow, which was intended. This issue is I got alittle over  zealous with the belt sander shaping the tips and had to cut 2 1/2" off each limb bringing the total bow down to 59 1/2" tip to tip. This is a stiff handle design with a 18" riser, which doesn't leave much room for limb movement. This is the shortest bow I've ever built and just floor tillering make me pucker alittle bit cause I feel like it's gunna shatter if I try and throw a tiller string on it. I should mention that this is an all wood build, although at this point I'm thinking a glass backing might be needed at this point. Any suggestions welcome.

[Clevelandbowyer88]

I'd add some pictures but I can't figure it out.

[LittleBen]

Glass backing a wood bow is almost always a bad idea. If you tiller the bow properly, the Ipe will typically fail before the hickory.

My opinion is that your riser is too long, and/or your limbs are too short, and/or your stack is too thick.

I don't know the width of the bow, but I have one bamboo backed Ipe of approximately that length, and stack, but with a shorter riser. At about 1" wide the bow draws something like 70# @ 26"

I think you have a very stout bow there if it survives.

Personally I would tiller it, but expect to need to remove most if not all of that belly lam to get to a reasonably draw weight/length.

[Clevelandbowyer88]

Thanks little Ben, I'd have to agree with you, my riser is def too long for this bow. If I didn't have to cut the tips it might've been just enough. I was thinking about cutting off the thick part of the riser and trying to turn it into a bend in the handle but I doubt that would work since I ran the belly lam up both sides of the risers fades. Oh and the bows width is 1".

[mwosborn]

What draw weight and length were you wanting when you started?  Hopefully you wanted a short draw heavy bow!    

[Clevelandbowyer88]

I was originally aiming for 65lbs at 28" 66" tip to tip. I'm thinking I'm going to have to go 45lbs at 25" and hope that's not too much.

[mwosborn]

As Ben indicated, I would go ahead and tiller it out.   If it was me, I would just grind off the 1/8 ipe belly and then start tillering.