number of lams

[eman614]

i am confused by the number of lams i am to use. i looked at binghams for the size that i am looking for, and to get the size i want i am going to need 2 .040 glasses, 2 .050 parallels, 1 .030 parallel and 1 .120 taper. the problem is that i don't see anyone else using this many. someone help please.
eric

[talkingcabbage]

What kind of bow are you trying to build?  We'll need more info to help you.

Joe

[eman614]

i'm trying to build a reflex/deflex longbow(pronounced). i am shooting for about 60# but a little lighter would be fine. binghams only has a chart for a take-down so iwas going by it. it says that i will need a thickness of .335. thats how i came up with the lams above. thanks for the help.
eric

[talkingcabbage]

I'm guessing this:  http://www.binghamprojects.com/drawweight.htm  is where you got the charts?  

I'm just starting my first laminated bow (a 60" takedown recurve).  Kenny M has the best advise for this kind of stuff.  He sells lams, forms, riser blocks, basically everything you'll need.  I'm sure he'll chime in when he gets a chance.  

You might also do a search on paleoplanet.  I'm not sure if they have a chart like that or not, but it's worth a try.

Joe

[OH Longbow]

Eric,

I have built 2 r/d bows from the Bingham plans.  The first was strictly from their plans and the second I made a little adjustment on the form.  This last time, I used 2-.050 clear glass, 1-.100 taper, 2-.060 parallel, and 1-.062 parallel for a total thickness of .382.  This came out to be about 54# @ 29".  I think the total thickness on the other one was .392 and it came out to be 56# @ 29".  Oh, btw, both bows were 68".

If you're planning on keeping it at 68" in length and using the Bingham plans, I'm guessing that your bow will be somewhere around 50#.

Have fun.

John

[BigJim]

Eman- the number of lams you use in the limb is not that important. The thickness and makeup are more important.
I use 8 lams in each of my limbs on my RD longbows and they are quite popular. Two clear glass, two veneer exotic wood, two uniweft or core tuff, and two tapered actionboo. Every one will have an opinion on what works for them. I have smooth and fast bows, real quiet too with this set up.
good luck, BigJim

[kennym]

Like Jim says, number isn't crucial. I've built with 4 to 8 including glass.

 Binghams has a great chart, I've used it a bunch to guess thickness on new forms I've tried.

 You could drop the .030 and use 2 .065 without any problems,I would think.

 One other thing,if that .120 taper is gonna lay on the radius on the belly of your riser(not knowing your design),you might want to go with a thinner taper so it bends easier in the radius. Makes glue lines easier.
Have fun is the main thing!  

[eman614]

thanks everyone.  you have all been a big help. kennym i assume that the radius on the belly is the closest piece to the shooter, i really dont know where im going to put the taper. this will be the first laminated bow i've ever built. is it best to  put the taper in that spot? also i guess that i need to go to your website to get lams and things like that?

[kennym]

Yep,string side is belly. You can put the taper on the back or belly.Just make sure your riser fits the form with the taper in place,may make the ends gap if you don't. On strait longbows with strait riser,I think that is why most tapers are on the belly side,so the riser and form fit with the lams in place. Wish I could say that more clearly.  

[eman614]

alright kennym i think that im ready to make an order from you. i had a question about the different but thicknesses of your lams. are they only available in 1/100 of an inch increments or can i get them in whatever increments that i want, for instance can i get them in .093 or does it have to be .090? thanks.
eric

[kennym]

Whatever you want, I'll get em as close as I possibly can!

[Pennsyltuckey pete]

Just one thing to remember about changing  the number of lams in a bow design.  The more lams you are gluing up, the more glue you are going to need to mix.  Do not ask me how I found this out.    :eek:   Big Difference between three heavy lams and five thin ones.

[eman614]

which makes a smoother drawing bow, alot of small lams. or a few big lams?

[kennym]

I can't tell much diff,maybe I'm not sensitive enough! LOL  Probably more in the length and design.

[eman614]

i'm sure i'd learn all this if i'd order the instructional material from binghams but that would be to easy. so i got another question. most lams come 36 inches. i assume that i am supposed to glue them together? also what do i use to glue them?

[kennym]

Here is how I do it,
Grind the ends at a pretty good angle(together for me),lay a small piece of plastic on the edge of your bench(strait edge) or a 6' pc of plywood,board,etc.  With good superglue,wet both skives(angles) it'll take a few seconds to bond.
 Put the angles together,line up on the edge of bench,flip the plastic over it, lay a small block on the joint,and clamp for 20 minutes. Sand off any excess glue and its ready to go.
Or use a dab of smoothon if you need a little more time to work.

[eman614]

thanks to everyone for helping. kennym once i get a heatbox built ill be sending an order your way. or if you take walk-ins i might do that. i will be i east st.louis  in a couple of weeks to make sausage with my cousins.if its not too far and you don't mind i'd like to see your operation. thanks again.
eric

[kennym]

Hey Eric,
I'm about 250 NW of ST Louis,you are welcome to stop by! Call before you come so I can make sure to be here! I work mon thru thurs at my "real" job,then in the shop fri and sat.
Thanks,Kenny

[eman614]

that would be awesome. we will be up thursday the 11th through that sunday. friday we won't have much to do, so that will be perfect. if you don't want to put your phone number on the forum then you can send it to me at my email. it is [email protected]. thanks for everything. i can't hardly wait!
eric

[kennym]

All right here Eric!! Now I gotta clean house(shop)!!


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