IPE/HB Recurve Bow

[Eagle Eye Eli]

Guys, I am about to attempt my first recurve bow.  The materials I will use are an Ipe slat 64" long X 1 1/4" wide X 3/8 " thick and a hickory backing 3/16" thick glued up with TB III.  I have read TBB II on steam bending wood and have an idea how to do it. The question is, do I steam bend both the ipe and hickory together or one at a time. I will be building a form to do the bending and after doing so i will glue it up.  Oh second question should I stay with a working recurve or attempt a static curve both are new to me.  As for the draw weight i have no idea what it will be, i will strive for anything over 40#  Any advise  you guys could give would be great.

Eli.

[mullet]

 Cut your glue up form to the shape you want your bow. And then glue it and clamp it to the form till it dries. If you glue it with TB3 and try to heat it it will come apart. And Ipe doesn't bend good with heat.

[Jesse]

Yup what Eddie said. If its a backed bow there is no need to pre bend with steam or dry heat. Just glue the pieces together, wrap it with plastic wrap and then a rubber strip from an inner tube or something. Then put it in a form to hold the shape until the glue dries. Easy as can be

[hedgeapple]

So, that's how it's done      I've been thinkng about trying something like this, this summer.  Thanks guys.