Hickory Backed Ipe questions.

[Brent.Mac.]

Hey guys,

This weekend I will be starting an ipe bow backed with hickory, so I'm wondering what sort of demensions-width, taper and anything else -  would be the best of this combo.

I'm aiming for around 40-45lbs and it can't be longer then 6ft.  My draw is 28.

Also to apply the backing do I just use glue, or are there any special things that should be done?
Thanks for all the suggestions in advance!

- Brent

[Pat B]

Brent, for a 40#@28" bow I'd make it 66"t/t, 1" to 1 3/8" wide at the fades and out 4" to 6" then taper to 1/2" tips(for now). 
  Set the bow up for Perry reflex when you glue it up. To do this clamp the belly/backing to the form, belly down with the tips sitting up on blocks no more than about 3" or 4". When you release it from the form after the glue has set you should get about 1" to 2" of reflex. If you partially pretiller the belly before glue up so it has a nice even bend your glue up will also. Otherwise most of the reflex will be near the handle.

[DarkSoul]

70" NTN English longbow
Hickory backing 1/8" thick
Glue in 1" of reflex
1¼" wide at handle. Tapering in a straight line to 3/8" wide nocks.
Tiller it so it bends slightly in the handle.
Thickness will come in about ¾" at the handle to ½" at the nocks. Thereabout.

[Pat B]

That'll work too! 

[Ifrit617]

I am also planning to make a HBI bow soon.... How do these dimensions sound?


64" n2n bendy handle
1" wide at the handle to 12" from tips, then taper to 1/4" nocks
Hoping for 45-50# @ 28"


Let me know what y'all think.

Jon

[Brent.Mac.]

So you guys think a bendy handle would work better?

I was thinking of using hickory as a riser because i have an extra piece for one.

For the recurve idea would steaming it work better? I'm using boards that have been sitting in my basement for over a month.

For the form I just nail a piece of wood 3-4" tall on both sides and I clamp the handle down?

[Pat B]

  Brent, do it like this but instead of tying the handle area down use a clamp at the handle to pull the glued up back and belly. The pieces of 2x4 blocks are not attached to the 2x4 base. The pressure of the tips hold them in place. You could fasten them to the base if it made your feel better. The spacing will depend on the length of your bow.