Need advice

[wood carver 2]

I was thinking of starting a new bow and I was hoping to get some input about something I'd like to try. The bow will be a R/D bamboo backed tri lam longbow 62" to 66" long. I have built two successful bows like this, but each of them has taken a certain amount of set, despite my gluing in a good bit of reflex. The stronger of the two has the most set. Would I be right in thinking that more glue lines would help reduce the amount of set the bow takes? My idea is to build up the core with 3 or 4 thin, tapered lams of walnut and or cherry, then glue up the bow and tiller normally.
I would glue up the core in two pieces on a curved form and join them together with a scarf joint above the riser with a power lam above. Then add the bamboo back and belly lams.
Does this sound like a workable plan? Any advice will be appreciated.    
Dave.

[PEARL DRUMS]

I would say longer and/or wider will help with set. I have no tri-lam experince at all. Just self bow's and backed board bow's. The wider and longer bows stand straighter regardless of the style of bow.

[wood carver 2]

I was thinking 1 1/2 inches wide at the fades tapering to 1/2 inch or 3/8. Going longer is no problem.
I'm going to try a self bow as soon as I can cut some ironwood and get it seasoned.The I'll be asking for your help again.    
Dave.

[PEARL DRUMS]

Try moving your reflex risers out towards the tips more. That will leave you with more working limb length and probably a touch less set. The 1 1/2" width wont hurt a thing either.

[wood carver 2]

Sorry Pearl Drums, I didn't understand what you meant by moving the reflex risers. Do you mean the blocks at the ends of my glue up form that give the bow it's reflex?
Dave.

[PEARL DRUMS]

Right. Move the reflex further towards the tips so you have more working limb length.

[wood carver 2]

Thanks, I think I've got the idea now. I have enough wood to experiment with, so I'll build one that's 66" or so long and 1 1/2" wide at the fades. Move the reflex out towards the ends of the limbs.
Should I glue in a little extra reflex to offset any set the bow will likely take? I normally glue in about 3" to 3 1/2" of reflex. I like the look and speed of a hybrid style bow. A friend loaned me one and even though it pulls at 46#, it seems as fast as my 53# tri lam. (the loaner is built of wood and glass though).
Dave.

[PEARL DRUMS]

I usually glue in 4". Keep in mind while your moving the relfex towards the tips it will also stiffen the area your trying to flex.

[Pat B]

What are the lams you have made of? With a boo back you should use a very compression strong wood like osage or ipe for the belly.   Also, if you add too much reflex at glue up you can over stress the limbs just bracing the bow. 3" to 4" max should give you 1" of reflex or a flat shot-in bow.

[wood carver 2]

Pat B, I haven't begun cutting wood yet, but I was thinking American Walnut or Cherry or a combination or both in thin lams to build up the core and then a 1/8" bamboo belly and back. The core thickness would be 5/16" tapering to about 1/16" at the tips. And no more than 4" of glued in reflex.
I'll post a drawing of what I've got in mind and maybe you can let me know if I'm on the right track or if I'm out of my mind.    
Thanks guys.
Dave.

[wood carver 2]

Here is a drawing to show what I'm thinking.
What do you think?
 
Thanks for the advice so far!
Dave.