First time build.

[wcasey755]

Hey all, brand new to the site. I have decided to pull the trigger on a binghams kit. My main concern is spending 400 bucks on something that could just be for the trash. So my question is, how hard or easy is it to catastrophically ruin one of these kits? Thank you all!

[Flem]

$400!!! Thats a crapload of money for a kit. If you are resourceful, you should be able to collect all the necessary materials for a fraction of that amount.

[Mad Max]

Look at the all in one kits from Binghams Flem

What are you getting, Take down, 1 piece long bow or recurve?
Lots of people start with a binghams

[Dannon]

Order your supplies from KennyM on this site. He’s very helpful and can lead you in the right direction, and will answer any questions you may have. Watch as many build a longs as you can. I’m sure the initial cost is going to be high, especially when you factor in building your form and hot box.

[Flem]

I did Max. I would be happy to put together all the materials listed and ship them off for $400.
Hell, with that kit you still have to purchase and build your own form, plus pay for shipping.

[Mad Max]

I did Max. I would be happy to put together all the materials listed and ship them off for $400.
Hell, with that kit you still have to purchase and build your own form, plus pay for shipping.

What about the form shape and stack chart

[Flem]

Thats what internet searches and this, plus other forums are for. For a first timer, a straight end longbow is easier to build, tiller and no form is needed.

[Stagmitis]

I woudnt Fret casey-

First Step:      Buy the basic materials wherever you can get them to build your first bow.

Second Step:  Buy a bag of Lays Potato Chips and pretend the bag is full of bows "No one can build just one "

Third Step:     Everyone new to bowbuilding makes mistakes: Embrace that and look at each failure as a
                     positive for your next build!

[Longcruise]

Well,  the usual caption to this picture should be changed to

"There's a lot of things they didn’t tell me when I bought this Bingham kit!"   

That's not to discourage you but it's just a fact.  Bingham is a good outfit and they sell quality materials.  There's nothing wrong with there designs.  You can purchase their basic component kits and then rely on this forum for your support group.

You can also visit Kenny's website and get your supplies there.  Kenny is a one man support group all by himself!  Plus,  he hangs out here regularly and is seemingly always available.

[wcasey755]

So is 400 for the binghams all in one kit overpriced? Im planning to build a one piece longbow. On the difficulty scale is that the best to start with?

[wcasey755]

The binghams appealed to me because it came with basically everything except the plywood for the form and box. Even the temp gauge.

[Mad Max]

The binghams appealed to me because it came with basically everything except the plywood for the form and box. Even the temp gauge.

Sounds like a plan

[Mad Max]

So is 400 for the binghams all in one kit overpriced? Im planning to build a one piece longbow. On the difficulty scale is that the best to start with?

Yes

[Appalachian Hillbilly]

I started with half a binghams kit!

Basically their prints and fire hose and form kit. Watch the video several  times and then let it digest and go back a day or 2 later.

I used a temp controller from Amazon that is programmable and is only about 35 bucks.

When you are building your form, and you are ready to drill your stop pins, tape the top of the phenolic so it does not splinter with you.

Just take your time and ask all the questions you want! Trust me, none are stupid questions.

[Dannon]

The binghams appealed to me because it came with basically everything except the plywood for the form and box. Even the temp gauge.

The plywood is going to cost you as much as the kit! I looked at a sheet of 3/4” today and it was over $80!

Just a tip: when making your hot box make it probably 4-5” wider than your Bingham plans call for. When gluing up risers with accents I can barely fit it in my box because of the c clamps I’m using.

[Flem]

First time, build a straight end, blocky riser, Hill bow. 2 lams, 2 pieces of glass from Kenny, a 2X2X16" chunk of hardwood from the lumberyard and any decent slow setting clear epoxy with at least 1% elongation. You can clamp or strap it to a flat board and let it cure at room temp. No form, no heat box necessary. Should not cost more that $100 and you might have epoxy for more than one bow. You don't need to buy a ton of epoxy either. Back when HH archery sold bow making supplies, they sold 81grams of EA-40 for a 3 lam bow. A 72X1.5X.005(super fat) glue line
X3 works out to around 36grams of glue per bow. I usually mix up around 100grams for a 3 lam and always have a bit left in the pot, plus plenty of squeeze out.

[Robertfishes]

Like many others...I started building Binghams 58" one piece recurve. Then got KennyM One piece longbow plans. Then started building ILF limbs.. Unless your a fan of the Hill style bow I would recommend you start with a modern style longbow.                           I don't know what the value of the "All in One" kit is...if you were to buy each piece separately it would likely be the same or maybe a little cheaper?? Binghams has been around for a long time and many a bowyer started building buying their bow plans. I never go cheap when building bow forms, I want my forms to hold up to being heated up to 180 degrees, but most builds got to 160-165 degrees..I prefer using cabinet grade plywood and I never had a problem with a form warping. For me building bows is a hobby, cheaper than some hobbies but more than others..

[Mad Max]

Like many others...I started building Binghams 58" one piece recurve. Then got KennyM One piece longbow plans. Then started building ILF limbs.. Unless your a fan of the Hill style bow I would recommend you start with a modern style longbow.                           I don't know what the value of the "All in One" kit is...if you were to buy each piece separately it would likely be the same or maybe a little cheaper?? Binghams has been around for a long time and many a bowyer started building buying their bow plans. I never go cheap when building bow forms, I want my forms to hold up to being heated up to 180 degrees, but most builds got to 160-165 degrees..I prefer using cabinet grade plywood and I never had a problem with a form warping. For me building bows is a hobby, cheaper than some hobbies but more than others..

X2

[wcasey755]

Thank you everyone for your Knowledge and experience! I will for sure document my build and post for everyone to see and help!

[KenH]

My best advice is to follow Flem's advice -- build a simple flat, Hill-style bow using a board for the building frame with clamps/bicycle innertub bands.  The first photo shows a similar simple flatbow I built with the 2x2 "building frame" next to it.  Also a more complicated building frame with rubber bands for a recurve I built.