Kenny's R/D Longbow!! -- Which Size is Best?

[Archer Dave]

Hey everyone. I am going to start collecting materials to make a bow form for one of Kenny's R/D Longbows, but wanted to see which size would be the best to start with.

I have the drawings for the 58"/60" R/D and the 62"/64" R/D longbows.

Originally I was wanting to build the 58" for maneuverability in the woods on my farm for stumping and hunting, but I wonder if the longer lengths are better shooting.

I also want to use this form to build a bow for my wife, and eventually for my two sons when they get a little older, and one for my brother who is quite a bit shorter then me. So this has me to thinking that maybe I should build the 58"/60", but the 62" R/D seems like a nice compromise.

Here are the requirements for my bow:
45# @ 28" and be able to draw at least to 29"

What do you guys think? Which Kenny designed bow length is best in your opinion? What difference in speed if any would there be with the same arrow weight?

Thanks a lot,
Dave

[fujimo]

build both!!!   :D  
they are awesome bows- i love mine- and also have both size templates- but as my draw is quite long-i shoot the 64, i have heard of folks building a 66 and 68 on the 64 form.
sounds like that you should naybe start with the shorter one, then build the other one too- next week    

i am going to try a tip wedge on my next bow- apparently it really helps with the longer draws- you might try that on your own bow, out of the 60 form

[rockkiller]

I also have both.I have a 28 1/2" draw and the 62" is what I like.But I also like the 60 and 64"and I'm make a 58" for my wife.
      Guess ya will probably will be building both.    

[Archer Dave]

Thanks guys. I like the sound of the 58,60, & 62, but don't think I would care for anything longer. I wonder if you could do a 62" on the 58/60 form?

Any other thoughts are more then appreciated.

Dave

[Archer Dave]

Can any grade such as ACX or CDX 3/4" ply work for a form or does it need to be a higher grade like a hardwood ply?

[fujimo]

higher grades will have less voids- in theory- you will also find that 3/4" is not a true 3/4"
i think i used 3 x1/2 "  and a 1/4" for my last form.
 then finished it through the sander. my first form was also a tad thicker than i needed- but what i did was just recessed the areas where the side retaining tabs are- down to 1.5"

but to answer your question- any ply will do- i just dont use the treated stuff!

[bigbob2]

I went the other way and made a 66'' from the 64'' and its a smooth sweet shooter.

[rockkiller]

I been using 1 3/4 LVL for my forms.Run though the planer and your done.No glue,no screws,no mess.And they are straight.

[Archer Dave]

Good idea on the 1-3/4 LVL. What width to you use for these bow forms?

[Robertfishes]

I built my 62/64 KennyM D/R form 4 years ago. I didn't have access to LVL locally.  I used 3 pieces of cabinet grade birch plywood and had to use a thin piece of "door skin" (looks like peg board with out holes) to get the 1.5" I needed.. I took my calipers into Lowe's when looking for the perfect thickness piece..I hand picked the plywood making sure to buy straight pieces. I'm thinking the plywood was about $35 for each sheet. My form is still straight so I'm still happy with it..I started building 66" bows off of the 62/64 form soon after building it and the 66" is one nice shooting bow. I should have got the 58/60 template when it was available..

[Trux Turning]

I like the 58&62" designs- both are good shooters

[rockkiller]

Dave......I used 12" ,
Robert...heres is a link for the 58/60" template
 http://tradgang.com/noncgi/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=125;t=011684

[rockkiller]

Originally posted by Archer Dave:
Good idea on the 1-3/4 LVL. What width to you use for these bow forms?

I ain't smart enough.It wasn't my idea,I got it from this site somewhere.That's what makes this site so good,it can make it look like someone like me knows something.    

[Archer Dave]

Still going back and forth about which size to start with. This is what always gets me on project. Trying to decided what to do.

Any other thoughts?

Thanks
Dave

[Pago]

Build the 58"

[kennym]

You like 58-62", go with the 60".   :D

[Archer Dave]

Thanks Kenny. Originally I was thinking of the 60", but then starting thinking I might like a 62".

Would the 58/60" form also work for the 62". Seems like a lot of the guys are making longer bows from the 62/64" form.

Maybe I should print out both forms and modify them to make a 60/62" form. Hehe.

[kennym]

I made one 62" off the short form, I like the ones off the longer form better. Any draw under 28" I'd goe with the 60" tho, designed it to get a bit more for shorter draw.

[Archer Dave]

Thanks Kenny. My draw is around 28.5", a little shorter when I snap shoot. Does that mean the 60" would be a little short?

[kennym]

No, the 58" off that form will draw 29.5 before stacking . So the 60 will be fine for you .