What affect does the number of laminations have in a deflex/reflex longbow?

[recurvericky]

I am planning to build another deflex/reflex longbow. In the past I have used the following stack.

Back to belly
Glass
Parallel
Taper bamboo .003
Riser
Parallel bamboo
Parallel
Glass

What are the pro’s and con’s of more or less laminations in a bow? Also, I see that some people use a.002 taper one side and a .001 on the other to get a .003 total taper. Why is this?

[kennym]

Hi Ricky,

To me more lams means more quality, look at good plywood compared to CDX

Less chance of a weakness in one lam causing more stress on the other(s)

That said, there are a lot of recurves out there with 2 lams in them. But the glass percentage is usually more in them.

The taper I don't think matters much except the total amount.

JMO- your mileage may vary..  

[recurvericky]

Thanks Kenny

[mwosborn]

All my Bear recurves have 2 lams.

The D/R bows I have made all have 3.  Two parallel and 1 taper.

I doubt you will see much difference between 3 or 4 lams with the same stack thickness and taper.  But I am just guessing.

Experiment a little and build one with 3 lams rather than your normal 4.  See if there is a difference in performance.

[recurvericky]

Thanks Kenny

[Krasus]

I build my r/d with 5 lams

[mikkekeswick]

As long as the lams are thin enough to conform to your form well it doesn't matter.
This is the reason for one 0.001 and one 0.002 lam compared to a single 0.003 - much more flexible.
More lams a fraction more glue in the limb, cured glue is generally around 1.3s.g. eg. its heavy stuff and minimising it is a good idea....but then again a few microns thickness of cured glue doesn't weigh much!

[Crooked Stic]

More thinner lams will bend around the form easier therefore less spring back off the form will= a bit peppier limb.