New to bow making

[Tyler Langston]

I am 16 and would like to make a bow in my shop class. I would like it to be around 50-60 pounds of draw and 26-28 draw length. I would like the bow to be made out of red oak.
Thanks,
    Tyler

[Stiks-n-Strings]

Check out the "so you want to build a bow" by 4est trekker

[Sam Harper]

Tyler, if it's your first bow, you should probably shoot (no pun intended) for a lower draw weight.  You'll be a lot less likely to break it.

[ichiban]

hey sam,
could you contact me via email?
theres some stuff i wanna show u

[email protected]

thanks mate

[4est trekker]

Sam's right about starting with a lighter bow, although very light bows (25#-35#) can be harder to tiller correctly because there's less room for error. I doubt you'd start there, but it's worth mentioning.  However, I'd shoot for a bow around 45#.  If I remember right, your original post on the POW POW said your were coming from a compound bow.  Things will be a little different with a traditional bow, including your draw length and weight.  45# pounds will make it easy for you to adjust your form and build the correct muscle memory, plus it's above the minimum legal hunting weight for most states.  Good luck!

PS  In addition to George's homepage, check out Sam Harper's, too.  He's got a nice red oak buildalong that would be helpful to you.  Here's the link:

 http://www.geocities.com/salampsio