Help with an all hickory laminate bow design

[GentlemanArcher]

Hi All,

I've got a bunch of 1.5" wide, 72 inch long strips of hickory available.  The thicknesses are anywhere from 1/16 to 1/2".  I was thinking an all hickory lam mild r/d bow could be fun. Or even a hill style-ish long bow.  What I don't have any clue on is how thick the total stack should be for a particular draw weight? Or length for NTN?  I also have a 1/16"ish lam of walnut, which I think would look great sandwiched somewhere in the stack.

The draw length would be 26".  I'd be happy with the draw weight being anywhere from 20# all the way up to 50#.  My wife and I shoot and we always seem to be taking friends to shoot as well.  So no matter the draw weight, the bow would get use.

So...considering the material, all hickory or maybe with one thin layer of walnut..what NTN length, limb profile (r/d, flat, static recurve) and total stack height(and its goal draw weight) would give the best performance for the weight?

Thanks!
GA

[vanillabear?]

[LittleBen]

I second the straight limb or mild reflex. I'd also go for the 68" mentioned and 5/8" tapering to 1/2" as a starting point. I'd tiller it for you desired draw weight and if its too light cut t down to 66". You ahold be able to still make 28" draw as long as you keep the riser length to 8" or less.

I might also heat treat the belly lam before glue up. But might be easier just to glue in a little more reflex. I'd go for 2" or s of glued in reflex.

[GentlemanArcher]

Hi...and thanks...that's what I was looking for.  I didn't mean to suggest that gluing up a stack of just hickory work the same as gluing up a glass, parallel(s), taper(s), glass sandwich.  But since I need to glue together layers to get a thick enough piece to start tillers, I didn't want to glue up 3/4" thick and then end up scrapping it all off anyway.  

thanks for the suggestions.  I plan on starting on this project this weekend. I'll keep you all posted. (especially if it works!)

GA