Building a Form.

[gorillabows]

Hello Fellas,
I am tired of shooting other peoples bows. I may never make one as good as others may, but I want it to be mine.

This is the first time that I have posted in regards to building a bow. I have commented on others piece of real artistry and craftsmanship but never inquired about anything.

I want to ask a moral question as much as a technical question.

I have a very particular design that will require a form, but the design is not mine. How do I go about making a form, and a form from another bowyers design? It is a radical design, so it will take some tinkering, but obviously can be done.

As long as I never plan to sale a bow, is this ok to do?

And is it possible to transfer the dimensions of a currently built bow, onto a form?

Thanks fellas.....your thoughts are appreciated.

Joe

[rmorris]

Where you saw my drawing on paper place your design there....

 http://tradgang.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=125;t=007188;p=1#000000

[kennym]

Hi Joe,

Copies are made all the time. No legal advice from me tho! LOL

Here is the easy(IMO) way to make a form.

 http://www.kennyscustomarchery.com/Bow_forms.html

You will have a bit of springback ,so move the tips forward on the copy a little if you want the exact profile.

When you make the template from thin plywood, bend a pc of glass around the curves,it will show flats and bumps you can't see or feel!

Good luck!

[gorillabows]

Thannk you both

Sound advice Im going to start a project will little hope that it turns out, but hopefully gain some experience. If it shoots, well that would be amazing.

[Elktracker1]

Good for you! I agree shooting other peoples bows is very cool but it doesnt compare to launching a arrow from a bow you made with your own two hands start to finish! With that said I cant help on your question    Hope to see your bow when its finished or as you work on it!

Josh

[goobersan]

I am just starting out like you, Joe. I made mine from a print I bought from John G. at Old Master Crafters. Made a template of 1/2 the design out of corianne (an idea I got here on tradgang)and it came out pretty nice for a first time.
The form is made from LVL. Seems like it will make many bows without a problem. There is a ton of info from all on tradgang- thanks alot fellas !!  Josh