thinkin about a new bow

[-snypershot317-]

hey guys i am totally new to bow building and am thinking about getting started but i have a few questions first. on a t/d recurve how do you determine the angle to set the limbs at? what would be some good riser woods? im wanting it to be around 14-16 inches and thinking of maybe back walnut, mahogany, purple heart, or similar woods (trying to be unique and creative)..again just trying to plan it out before i get started. im kinda a perfectionist so i like knowing what im getting into before i start. i really want to do a take down and am aware of most of the challenges through diligent research. but there is always a lot to learn. thank you for any advice and for all the good info on here.

[Mike Most]

Welcome to the gang, you are going to like this place. If your totally new and have lots of questions, I would suggest a couple of places but where I started was Binghamprojects.com as have a lot of others here. They have dvds and instructions printed(+ blueprints or plans which are very reasonable) and if your ancient like I am maybe a video tape to watch them build a first bow. They use 11 degrees on their limb pad angles to answer your question. Some of their riser blocks are 2x3 1/2/22" for take down risers.As for the woods you mentioned I'll go the purple heart or walnut (if it is reinforced) but the mahogany is not the best IMHO. I dont know what part of Ariz. your from but I know Texas is too far to come help you. Maybe somebody from around there will pop up here, at any rate good luck...  

[jess stuart]

Binghams Projects X2.  Even if you decide to go a totally different way you owe it to yourself to check them out.  I think they have been at it since the late fifties and have a wealth of knowledge to help you out.  Mike said the videos were ancient but when I began they didn't even have those it was written instructions. I must have read those instructions a million times to get it through my thick skull what is was they were trying to tell me.  Very first bow made a shooter.

[-snypershot317-]

thank you guys for the information. binghams is actually where i got the idea..sorta..lol. its a cool sight and lots of info. i was wondering if the angle of the limbs changed the weight of the bow?

[rmorris]

Yes the angle of your riser will change the poundage... I changed the angle of my take down longbow a few years back by 3 degrees and the jumped up 10 # in weight.

By the way what part of AZ are ya in?

[-snypershot317-]

im in the apache junction area...unfortunately i have to wait for state citizenship to come around to be able to go hunting  :p  which wont be until early december       ..but while im waiting i figured i would start a new project  :D

[-snypershot317-]

i am leaning towards bubinga but would rather do black walnut with boo and cherry accents..possibly. but i am curious to what it means to reinforce? like i said i am relatively new to this and am asking questions while in the research phase. is walnut a brittle wood or would bubinga be a better choice? the bow im looking to build would be *hopefully* between 50-55@28" i would settle for higher 40 like 47-49 but would prefer above 50 just because i do plan on hunting with it like deer, elk, bear and pig and am more comfortable with more than 50#...what do you guys think?