Any ideas?

[macbow]

A young lady asked me if I could make a bow like this. I explained adding a lot of extra bulk would be detrimental to the bows function. She seriously would like something like this.
 

So does anyone have any helpful suggestions on how to come close to this.

[Pat B]

I think Rudderbow had some sort of putty they used on some of those fantacy bows. You might contact them. That is a lot of excess mass.

[scottm]

Maby some type of fabric limb covers?  

[D]

Styrofoam limb covers..lol...it would be loud as heck though and probably fly to hell when its shot....thats a tough one.  You could make it a take down and just shape the riser kind of like that and give it regular limbs or maybe make the riser long and mount the limbs on the belly like a Black Widow with the fancy decorative stuff extending past where the limbs mount.  Wouldn't be part of the working part of the bow that way.  Just typing as I think.

[goobersan]

get her a dress and a tiara, like Roy's. maybe she will forget about the bow                

[MoeM]

Yes do a realy big riser and two short recurve limbs for td assembly. For the limbs you can use DIY prints on usual paper with some theme related stuff. (don`t forget the clear acrylic tip overlays)
   Here  you may find some inspiration- guess some of you know him- just klick "Bogenunikate" on the left and then select a riser top of the page (evolutions might be of interest for example)

[macbow]

Thanks, knew I'd get at least one Roy comment.        
I was thinking extra Lon riser with the fancy stuff made from rawhide etc.
Not committed but thinking about it.

[red hill]

Maybe paper machete finished with lacquer?

[razorback]

Is it just for show or does she want to actually shoot it. A non-shooting bow opens up lots of options, immoral but who am I to judge.

[LittleBen]

I've seen a thing about a guy who replicated one of the lord of the rings bows ... legolas bow or something using a type of modeling epoxy with a filler almost like a dough.

I'd try and mimic the color and shape and ignore the scale. In other words same bow but long and thin .... kid will be so thrilled they'll never notice the bow isn't 15" thick.

[Roy from Pa]

Gooberboy, yer moving right up the list, son:)

[heartlandbowyer]

Hey Mac, the bow is one thing, how ya gonna copy those arrows?    

Cory

[macbow]

The girl is not so little. She wants,a 30 pound pull.
Still kicking all the ideas around. I'm starting with a BBI and Cumaru tri lam. With the r/d closer to the tips.

I was reading about some of this Zena stuff. Very powerfull bows with magical arrows. Would be neat to make a arrows,with led's or something.

She really wants to shoot this bow.

[chachamooby]

I think you could make an acceptable version with (lord I'm gonna get it for even thinking this) out of PVC and foam pipe sleeve insulation. Granted--it'll be a pig performer but a little paint and it might be "pretty" enough, and actually function. Ya think?

[heartlandbowyer]

I think D may be onto something there with the belly mount limbs. Tips will be the issue to much out there and the bow will jump out of her hand. Your gonna have 100 hrs into that bow any way you go about it.

[dfrois]

There is a type of flexible foam that can be shaped as it forms. It comes in two components, that are mixed, like epoxy, and then expands during the chemical reaction. After curing, it is flexible, like the foam used on matresses and sofas. There are even colorants that can be mixed to it to give it a color different than the light brown, tan-like original. I bought a couple of cans years ago, on a shop that sells stuff for surf gear. I still have some. After mixing it, it can be poured on to a mold, and it will cure in the shape of the mold. So, if you made a mold with the shapes you want, and pour some of this stuff in to it, you would end up with a piece tah can be inserted on the limb, and then glued and painted. It is not very heavy, and it is very flexible and soft, so it wouldn't hinder the bow's function very much. Hope this helps.

DF

[macbow]

DF, if you still have it could you post the name. Sounds worth checking out.

[savage1]

A kid on youtube made a "bow" out of two big metal stiff arms powered by a spring in the center. It was big for sure but it launched an arrow.  You coud fab the bow in this manner and it will shoot.
Lou