hickory and red oak takedown attempt

[paco664]

bought a axe handle made of hickory and split it with a bandsaw... found a nice piece of red oak at work...

did the heavy roughing out with a belt sander and brought it home where i finally have a patio and back yard to work in... made me a 2'x4' work bench and clamped the limbs down to try and put in a bit of reflex...

limbs are as of now 36" and the handle section 5.5." between mounting points *(really a bit small as i have large hands but i can always make another handle section)... hoping tomorrow to start tillering...

hoping to end up 45-50lb draw at 30"...

please wish me luck...

[paco664]

other photo...

[sleek]

You may get 35 at 30 with that, if you used only one handle for both limbs. It takes two to make a 45#. I have made a few of these.

Get them flat and glue a belly onto them and you can have whatever you like.

[mikekeswick]

It is a 3 piece takedown from what I can see Sleek? Two risers? You must have funny hands!

[sleek]

Lol, i ment if he used one ax handle for both limbs as opposed to two ax handles, one for each limb.

[paco664]

Hmmmm.  I do have a beautifully straight grained piece of ash. 
Thanks for the idea sleek.

[Bob Barnes]

Are you planning to heat or glue the limbs into that shape?  Just clamping them won't do anything.  It's a cool idea and the small riser is nice as opposed to a bulking one.  It will be fun to watch.

[bubby]

You have plenty of length for your draw length, if you use red oak for the belly trap the back well

[paco664]

My original idea was to heat the reflex in. But after thinking about sleeks suggestion i am going to glue in the Reflex.

Thanks bob. I wanted a smaller riser because I was trying for a slender elegant kinda look. 

Thank you Bubby.  I will trap the back and make sure it's smooth before proceeding. 

Thank you guys for the ideas.

[Bob Barnes]

laminated limbs will hold the shape way better...good decision.  I do not like 3 piece bows because of the bulk in mass and looks... but Meland's Pronghorn longbow has a nice small riser and isn't that bad.    This is will be fun to watch.