Need a mentor: want to build my own longbow

[goblism]

Well I am fairly good with woodworking so i decided that i want to make my own longbow.

I have access to a lot of dried black walnut, so i want to incorporate that into my bow. It was cut down by my grandfather, his nickname was black so i want to make this a black themed bow. I am thinking about using ebony in my riser along with the black walnut or ebony with cocobolla. I want to use black glass on one side and clear class on the other to show the natural colors of the black walnut.

I am just looking for mentor to assist me in this process. I have a rough idea of the materials needed, but just want some guidance through this process and someone that i can send pictures to as i complete this process and have them critiqued.

The type I want to make is a laminated reflex deflex longbow at about 62-66" in length at 55lbs (give or take 4-5lbs)

Thanks in advance!
Mike

[Robertfishes]

you could post your build here and get feed back as you go. KennyM did a build along here back in April? check it out, it may help you out. good luck with your build.

[Robertfishes]

Mike, try this link     http://tradgang.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=125;t=001165;p=2

[Canadabowyer]

Mike, get the Binghams information, it will point you in the right direction. And any questions you have feel free to PM me anytime. Careful, I bet you can't build just one!!  Bob

[kennym]

Hi Mike,

The Binghams DVD is supposed to be really good. Here is a bit on building forms....

 http://kennyscustomarchery.com/Bow_forms.html

I'll be gone muley huntin from the 16th thru the 27th,but feel free to contact me if I can help!

[Pennsyltuckey pete]

I will try and help any way I can.  I have done the Binghams bows and my own designs.  I would suggest starting with a proven design.

My advice is to get the Binghams DVD and check out any and all build alongs.  There are lots of ways compete each step of building a bow and no one way is the right way.  What works for me may seem crazy to someone else and vice versa.

pete

[sw]

Mike if you want to get the materials for the build i will donate the wood core laminates (we cut our own professional lam's in shop) to your build. just cover the shipping. Can do any taper along with any thickness lam to .020 upto .300 depending on the build your doing and what you want to build.

Feel free to email me if you want to  


Dave