beginner r/d design help needed

[Monkey Wrench]

Hey all,

I have made 3 or 4 longbows, starting with a red oak board bow, and then working my way up to the hickory-backed ipe that I made last year (this seems to be winter hobby for me...it's just too hard not to fish/canoe/camp in the summer   :D  ).  I followed the build-a-longs and figured out the process fairly well.

This winter I would like to work on a couple of reflex/deflex bows, but I'm having trouble trying to find beginer instructions.  I was looking at going with the Bingham's design, but I just can't afford that kit.

Any advise on what books/website I need to check out for a new bowyer experimenting with r/d?  

thanks!!!

[mater]

Binghams has charts to help hit the weight you want. I dont think you have to use a kit though. I think you can find all the info on here you need. Just start asking.
         Mark

[kennym]

Here is a bit on form building...
 http://kennyscustomarchery.com/Bow_forms.html

And here is a build I did for my Air Force son last summer....
 http://tradgang.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=125;t=001165;p=1

Ask away!! You will find very helpful folk here!  

[kennym]

Oh , here are some tests on core woods...

 http://tradgang.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=125;t=001491

[PZee]

Hey Kenny

Thats a great Build Along!

Monkey Wrench,

I don't think you need to lay out loads of dosh to start off with. Apex Preditor (I think?) used to use the rubber band method to clamp his R/D bows in his form, don't know if he still does? You can get used inner tubes at most bike shops for free. (Well in the UK that is)

Kenny has great products at good prices, I'm saving up to ship them to the UK. Much cheaper than buying them here!

Sam Harper has got some great build alongs on his website. Hot Box, Bamboo Backed Ipe R/D, modern R/D longbow.....

There is a great build along by RGK under the TOPIC ARCHIVES further down the front page of this website.

I got my insulation boards for my hot box from a building site. They were left over and going into the skip, they even cut them to size for me to fit in my car.

Dutchwarbow (Nick) and Hera have got some really good build alongs to, Nick uses half the tools most use and gets some of the best results I've seen.

I'm pretty new to all this, and all I know comes from reading up the great posts on this site. It's a fountain of knowledge, all you need is a little patience to read it all

Good Luck and enjoy. Pete

[Monkey Wrench]

Thanks for the help guys, I've checked out all those threads, and went through Sam's as well.  With the exception of Sam's, I'm just not seeing any dimensions on the bow.  How much reflex, how much deflex, how long of a riser, how long does the bow need to be according to draw length, etc.  I'm not trying to have you guys do the research for me, I just honestly can't find much info on the specifics.

[stickmonkey]

I had a similar question on another forum and I can tell you that it was suggested that a ratio of 1:2 or 1:3 for a deflex reflex design preformed best in testing. I made my 64" form with 1" of deflex and 2" of reflex as a starting point for testing.

Kenny has a nice design and good service too. Give him a call.

[Monkey Wrench]

Originally posted by stickmonkey:


Kenny has a nice design and good service too. Give him a call.

What's the website address?

[kennym]

Here ya go Brad......
 http://kennyscustomarchery.com/

[Russell S.]

I built by first bow of kenny's form following his advice.  he will make sure you get the right stuff. I told him what i thought i needed he took the time to explain how i could do it better before he sold me anything, I highly recommend him for use junior bowyers.