Acquired a TON of bow making forms, tools, material etc... Now where to begin

[mhollo10]

Hello,

I've been lurking this forum for a while. I've always been interested in making bows, but never got the time... I'm a ceramic artist, so always stuff to do. However I just given a local bowyer's whole lot of forms (12 different ones, everything from long bow's, recurve, take down), quite a bit of tools, templates, materials. I'm going back next month when I have some money and hoping to purchase his rasps and drum grinder.

Where do you think I should start? I was thinking a laminated long bow to start. But I don't have any plans or really much detailed info to go off of. I was thinking about buying the bingham projects plans and dvd, but I just don't have the money right now ($90 is a lot for a new project when you're a stay at home dad haha). I also have access to a full wood shop that specializes in specialty woods, so I can get wood for free.
Basically if I just need to know the thickness of my pieces for the lamination. I've found most of the other info on here, youtube and reddit.

[OldRawhide42]

Are you planing on making a all wood bow or a fiberglass bow ??

[Buggs]

Nice score    Save your money, lots of free plans and free advice available here and in infinite internet archives. Your only expense should be epoxy and fiberglass. Take you time, absorb lots of info and have fun!

You need any hands on help, I'm available. Just send me a ticket and I be right over

[onetone]

Hey hollo, welcome to the cult!  I have some of Bingham’s beginner bow making stuff - printed and video re to building recurves - that I have had for years. I would be happy to send it your way “dad”. Just PM me a mailing address and I will get it in the mail in a few days. Not essential info but would be helpful for a first-time bow build imo.

[mhollo10]

Are you planing on making a all wood bow or a fiberglass bow ??

I would like to make both. I think maybe start with all wood or longbow with carbon or fiberglass, then eventually start doing wood and glass limbs for takedown bows

[mhollo10]

Nice score    Save your money, lots of free plans and free advice available here and in infinite internet archives. Your only expense should be epoxy and fiberglass. Take you time, absorb lots of info and have fun!

You need any hands on help, I'm available. Just send me a ticket and I be right over

Awesome that's what I was hoping to hear. I def have enough glass and carbon for a bow or two. Just have to try and find ae40 on the island... May have to order online and wait a week or so.
And yeah man! thanks for the offer! I'll keep an eye on the flight prices haha

[mhollo10]

Hey hollo, welcome to the cult!  I have some of Bingham’s beginner bow making stuff - printed and video re to building recurves - that I have had for years. I would be happy to send it your way “dad”. Just PM me a mailing address and I will get it in the mail in a few days. Not essential info but would be helpful for a first-time bow build imo.

That would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

[Buggs]

You are not limited to EA-40. If you can get it, great. If not, most 100% solids, 24hr cure epoxy will work just fine.
I'll bet you have a few folks making surf boards around there and the supply shops for doing it. They typically use good quality laminating epoxy. Same with boat building and wood working supply shops.

[onetone]

Ditto what Buggs said above re epoxy.

[mhollo10]

You are not limited to EA-40. If you can get it, great. If not, most 100% solids, 24hr cure epoxy will work just fine.
I'll bet you have a few folks making surf boards around there and the supply shops for doing it. They typically use good quality laminating epoxy. Same with boat building and wood working supply shops.

okay good to know,
There's a huge fiberglass supply company here. I'm sure they'll be able to help

[Longcruise]

You are not limited to EA-40. If you can get it, great. If not, most 100% solids, 24hr cure epoxy will work just fine.
I'll bet you have a few folks making surf boards around there and the supply shops for doing it. They typically use good quality laminating epoxy. Same with boat building and wood working supply shops.

okay good to know,
There's a huge fiberglass supply company here. I'm sure they'll be able to help

Watch for the working time on the epoxies.  Very frustrating to have your epoxy start setting up when you are not done buttering the lams.

[Kirkll]

You are not limited to EA-40. If you can get it, great. If not, most 100% solids, 24hr cure epoxy will work just fine.
I'll bet you have a few folks making surf boards around there and the supply shops for doing it. They typically use good quality laminating epoxy. Same with boat building and wood working supply shops.

okay good to know,
There's a huge fiberglass supply company here. I'm sure they'll be able to help

Watch for the working time on the epoxies.  Very frustrating to have your epoxy start setting up when you are not done buttering the lams.

I just spotted this...... Be really careful of West Systems epoxy. That stuff kicks off WAY to fast for bow building IMO. I used it a lot building boats, and its used in that industry a lot..... Id recommend spending the extra cost for shipping and buy EA-40. Its very user friendly.   Kirk

[Buggs]

I concur with what Kirk said, I would not cut my teeth with West Systems 105, their basic epoxy. I would use their G-Flex, its good epoxy and has a 45min pot life. Also easy to find is System Three G-2. It's also real good epoxy with a 90min pot life. I believe Kirk heats his epoxy, which makes it flow and wet out better. It also will cut the pot life in half for every 18deg rise in temp past 72deg.

[onetone]

G-2 is a very good epoxy. I have used it since I began building bows without a problem. Good specs, long pot and shelf life.

[Kirkll]

Yes.... Likes Buggs said,  I heat my EA-40 for 15 seconds in the microwave  BEFORE i mix it....Works excellent in winter time temps. I only heat it for 10 seconds in warmer weather... It mixes much smoother when heated.

But....... i don't mess around laying up a bow either. my working time getting it laid up is less than 10 minutes on limbs, and a bit longer on a one piece. After 15 minutes the stuff starts getting pretty  sticky and it's hard to spread smooth with a putty knife, but..... It doesn't put out heat like some epoxy does.....Some of that stuff is HOT!

I'm not familiar with a lot of products that West System makes. I'd follow Buggs lead if ya go that route.  Sounds like he's played with it before.      Kirk

[Si]

I use an airplane Epoxy called Aeropoxy. It pours like syrup, long pot life, and great for repairs. I never had a failure. You can buy it at Aircraft Spruce co.

[Kirkll]

I use an airplane Epoxy called Aeropoxy. It pours like syrup, long pot life, and great for repairs. I never had a failure. You can buy it at Aircraft Spruce co.

Have you ever tried heating this epoxy to thin the viscosity further?  I'm just curious. There are times when good epoxy with a thin viscosity is hard to beat.    Kirk

[Si]

No thinning is required because it is thin when mixed. When I say syrup, I mean thin syrup.