Thoughts on building New Form

[buckeyebowhunter]

Been preparing myself to build a new form, my current one has done okay but it has some bumps and dips that result in air bubbles and headaches quite frequently especially on the outside curve (belly side) of my recurve limbs. I can't complain as it was my first form has made some decent limbs but I think I need to build another and try to get it much more flat.

I would like to try the template and router method like on Kenny's website but I don't have a router and do not have access to one at this time with our school being shutdown.

I thought I remembered reading someone (I thought BigJim) saying they used a pressure strip on the bottom of the form to help with the dips/bumps. Anyone use this?

Also have been considering using LVL as opposed to gluing up plywood. Since I'm only making takedowns at this time I could make several forms out of a 8' piece of LVL as opposed to buying a few sheets of plywood.

Was kind of wondering what you all do for your forms and maybe some opinions/advice on my thoughts above.

[JGR1269]

I used LVL for my one piece hybrid longbow form. I have a 1/4” strip of cherry glued and screwed on with the screw heads filled and sanded flat with a strip of dense 1/16” rubber as a pressure strip on the form. I also ran 1 1/2” x 3/16” angle iron along the bottom on both sides of the form to prevent the LVL from ever warping.

[beachbowhunter]

Do you have access to a Rigid Oscillating Sander or even a belt sander?  If you have a steady hand you can sand to the line and feel for smoothness using a sander. It is easier on the Rigid because it has a table that helps keep you square to the belt.  This is manageable for a takedown limb form but probably not for a one piece.

[kennym]

I like the idea of a 1/4 “ strip to level stuff up smoothly. I could never sand smooth enough in a spindle sander to not have bumps and dips in the form .

[monterey]

I didn't have anything suitable for the last form but a strip of 1/4" hardboard is working.  Attached it with contact cement.   

Not recommending, but it worked.