what to make

[skyarrow]

ok i am almost done with my first bow build and my cousin askd me where to get a bow for some target shooting and i told him i would make him one he wants a long bow 25lbs at 26 inchs so i figure that would be easy to make compared to my 60lbs at 28inchs that i am making  what wood do yall think would be good for a lighter bow  its just for target shooting i was thinking of a board bow backd with something would be good for what he needs i am oot a pro bow builder but i figured this lighter bow would make great pratice for the bigger bow i am making ttyl           sterling

[makenzie71]

Go to lowes and get a relatively straight-grain red oak 1X2, and shave half an inch off the width.  Back it with fiberglass drywall tape or denim...don't waste time on something more complicated...with a slightly reflex.  Cut the tips down to the desired length and taper them for your nocks.  After your backing has cured, set it in the tree and start tillering.  Keep the belly flat and use a hand plane to tiller.  Don't take off the sides until you start getting under 1/2" thick in the limbs.

After you get a good tiller, put it back into reflex and temper the limbs.  Then add a simple riser, sand, oil, give.

[Del the cat]

That's not a lot of bow. I just made some kids bows for the club, trust me I'd rather make a 40plus pound bow any day.
Down at 20# there's not much wood to play with, and the out of balance forces due to assymetry, hecd position etc become more significant.
Put it another way, on a 60# plus longbow it doesn't make much difference if your hand position is a tad out.
Del

[makenzie71]

That's not a lot of bow. I just made some kids bows for the club, trust me I'd rather make a 40plus pound bow any day.
Down at 20# there's not much wood to play with, and the out of balance forces due to assymetry, hecd position etc become more significant.
Put it another way, on a 60# plus longbow it doesn't make much difference if your hand position is a tad out.
Del

Words to heed.  It took quite some time...and a LOT of failures...before I was able to whip up a good 25lb bow.  My first attempt to make a 70lb longbow...success (kind of).  This is why I advocate simplicity.  Make it as simply and cheaply as possible because making these little bows can actually overreach the unexpected's skills and consume for more time than intended.

[KenH]

Check our Half Eye's recent post (last week, I think) where he's listed the specifications for a whole bunch of youth bows, including a Møllegabet design!

1/4"  or 1/2" x 2" (1.5" actual) Lowe's Oak might be a better place to start than 1 (3/4" actual) x 2 as you'll have less wood to remove.

[TheWildCat]

Ifin ya could get your hands on some Ratan, that would be the ticket. No backin needed fer that.