DiGi wrote: To be more specific, how did you start your career as a traditional bowyer? If there was anything you wish you would have known when you made you first bow what is it? What should a first time bowyer look out for and/or make sure to do?
I too am a beginner. I read a few things including the first few chapters of the Bowyers Bible (vol 1). I also watched some clips from You Tube. Then I bought a 3 by 2 inch piece of western walnut (trimmed two pieces to 1/4 inch each and ordered 1/4 inch hickory backing). Ruddersbow is a good resource. Jim over there can get you started with a book, supplies, and will be there to help you as you build it. It is to be a reflex deflex laminated wood bow design (no fiberglass) with 28 inch limbs. The riser will not be very long. I will epoxy it up when I have all my pieces cut. I am working on an oven idea to cure the epoxy. I will probably get some 8 inch stove pipe and a couple of lights (one for each opening, and a meat thermometer). The form sounds easy and simple with the use of u bolts. Tapering sounds tricky for the end of the limbs. I will probably make a sled and run it through the sander. I think I will try to reduce over all thickness at the ends by 1/16th of an inch for each lamination. This idea may change after I read the instruction book from Rudderbows Archery.
