2025 Bow Swap Progress Thread

[Watsonjay]

Riser for this unit is ready for the next stages.  I had made up the block for mosaic strips at a 45 angle, thinking it would create an interesting look if the “dots” were at an angle. Turns out that at .020 thickness you have to squint really hard to see that. Duh !! 
I’m starting to assemble the lams for the limbs, but if they don’t fall into the weight parameters then this riser will be laid aside and the victim will be moving to a recurve rather than a longbow.  All good!

Looking sharp!!!

[Watsonjay]

Finished form. Little bit more reflex at tips and thicker riser. This is a bow of kennys original kid bow form

[4 point]

That’s a curvy one!
I put a string on my victims bow. It’s five pounds over, should be right in the sweet spot when finished. One more set of overlays to glue on.

[Kirkll]

Finished form. Little bit more reflex at tips and thicker riser. This is a bow of kennys original kid bow form

Be sure and seal that LVL material with shellac real well.   Did you sand that thing down to 1.75" thickness?

[Watsonjay]

Thanks, I will. Yes. It was 1.75 took it down to 1.5. Power hand planer then drum sander. Im also going to screw in a metal pressure plate to surface.

[Watsonjay]

I also hav 1/2” bar being delivered tomorrow that I will cut down for pegs

[dbeaver]

Such great progress all around and some real lookers so far.

Behind on pics but I have a riser glued up and lams ready for taper glass and accents will be on their way soon.

going to spend some extra time between steps to cap the prepped riser blank with stabilcore so when the bow is laid up there's a black accent framing the riser within the bow and continue down between the lams to the tip.  A nice accent down the neutral plane of the limb.

[Watsonjay]

Such great progress all around and some real lookers so far.

Behind on pics but I have a riser glued up and lams ready for taper glass and accents will be on their way soon.

going to spend some extra time between steps to cap the prepped riser blank with stabilcore so when the bow is laid up there's a black accent framing the riser within the bow and continue down between the lams to the tip.  A nice accent down the neutral plane of the limb.

I have some stabilcore too do you guys think it is wasted putting in a narrow limbed longbow or would it add anything to its performance. Thanks for the advise.

[dbeaver]

It is hindering the peak performance of my bow by adding extra weight without the need for the properties that its made for.  But it might gain a few fps from being drop dead gorgeous though

Truth is you can find all sorts of info about that on old threads and even on some very recent ones there's been plenty of discussion on stabilcore. You'll find that some and very few designs will actually ever need it and plenty of folks would tell you to swap it for a layer of carbon of their preference to get more bang for your buck on weight and torsional stability. 

[Watsonjay]

Thanks. Ill research more on when to use it

[kennym]

First change of plan of 742

[Noah70]

That’s a shame Kenny, kinda looking forward to the first one!

Got my first riser done as far as its going for now, need to concentrate on the limbs for a while.  Might require a new form.  Starting on a recurve riser as well, just in case.

[kennym]

Uli, I decided I didn't like the paper phenolic in fades on a one piece, so that riser may have to be morphed into a TD at some point...

[dbeaver]

Hey kenny for some of us with less time on the bench, what didnt you like about the phenoloc in the fades?

[kennym]

Linen phenolic would have  been good I think, I just haven't used much paper phenolic but seems like it would be brittle.

I think Bear uses same tho, but I don't want a bow to give up on anybody so prob too concerned for nothing...

[Jon Lipovac]

Riser block and veneers ready. Weighed that 16" riser block at 3.4 lbs!!!!
I'm always amazed at how much Cactus Juice the soft maple soak up.

[Noah70]

Beautiful work, Jon !!  Love the grain and the contrast!

[Watsonjay]

I looks amazing. Id gladly be your victim.

[dbeaver]

Jon I'm not surprised but I am impressed.   Absolute beauty on this one

[Jon Lipovac]

Thanks gentlemen