actionboo question

[wharvey]

I understand the reason for using more than one lam for the bow core. What about actionboo?

If I want a core thickness of 0.25", since actionboo is already a laminated product, is it necessary to use two or more lams instead of just one?

As a side question. Does the veneer count as lams? In other words, if I have a bow with a veneer, two core lams, and veneer; would this bow be considered to be made with 2 lams or 4?

[Robertfishes]

Yes the veneers count. I guess if you have two pieces of  040 glass, two 025  parallel veneers and one actionboo .120 taper you would meet the .250 stack thickness.

[Robertfishes]

You can order laminations in many thicknesses. I have ordered actionboo tapers from KennyM  from .090 butt thickness to .120 butt thickness all with the .002 per inch taper that my recurve design needs.(I mostly use .100 to .110) A .250 stack would give me a  48 lb @ 28in bow (aprox).  I keep a few tapers arround in different thicknesses because glass and wood can come in a little thicker or thinner than ordered and I use the taper to adjust the stack thickness. I use a digital caliper to measure each piece.

[bjansen]

I think that would work just fine for actionwood...the only thing is using a couple thinner core lams helps you glue up your curves much easier than trying to get a 1/4" piece of core wood to bend even over your form.

[wharvey]

I was actually think about a straight bow and just having the belly glass over the riser fades instead of a wood & glass.

Any thoughts about that?

[grizz]

I've done that and had good luck with it. Just make sure that the belly glass is colored (not clear) so that you won't see the fades melding into the lams.

[BigJim]

Years back, I had a bow built with actionboo to 85#'s. It had two tapered core lams of actionboo. I shot the bow for only two weeks when the top lam sheared clear of the bow and passed my face. After speaking with the very reputable bowyer. I was told that they had seen that happen once before with actionboo of above average thickness.
I have taken that to heart and since then when I make bows above 70#'s I  use red elm. All my personal bows are above 85#'s and I have no problems with the red elm and it is a real performer.
All my customer bows below 70#'s are actionboo.
I believe that if you uses thicker lams in a lighter poundage bow you will be ok, but remember that the glue joint is stronger than the wood and will help to keep it together.

BigJim

[wharvey]

I figured on a draw weight of between 40# & 50#. I figured I would have to use black glass and plan on making a plain jane Hill type bow. (At least I think Hill bow's are straight.) May go to 2 core lams instead of just the one. Decisions decisions.

[kennym]

Hi Bill,

If it were me,I'd go with 2 lams just to be safe. The cost of the extra set of lams would be small to get the laminated effect the other direction.

[Robertfishes]

didn't know you were wanting to build a longbow, Question: would your total stack for a 45 lb Hill style need to be arround .365 ?? I need to glue my first RD longbow(KennyM design) up but hunting season is getting in the way, my total stack is .360 and my target weight is 50lbs. I did get 4 recurves built before season started.

[wharvey]

In the TBM article I'm using as a guide the total thickness with lams & glass was 0.350 for a 45" bow. Anywhere between 40 & 50 lbs will be find. Only thing I'm really concerned about is hand shock. I've never shot a straight bow and I've read that hand shock can be pretty bad. Only long bow I've shot was a Black Widow at Cloverdale this year.

[bmgarto]

Hey wharvey,

Where do you get the TBM article? I have heard of that one and would like to get a copy. Is it still in print?

Thanks Mike