Making a simple laminate longbow

This is a short guide on how to make a VERY simple laminate longbow. If at the end of this tutorial, you have any questions that are not answered, or you would like more detailed instructions on how to make a longbow, check out www.makingtraditionalbows.com

Step 1

Step 1
Cut the laminates using a circular saw or a band saw. The dimensions of the belly laminate should be about 75" by 1 1/2" by 1", and the dimensions of the back laminate 75" by 1 1/2" by 3/16". The grain of the back laminate must run straight down the length of the board and be uncut.
When shooting a bow the belly side is towards you and the back is facing away.

Optional belly woods: Yew, osage, lemonwood, ipe, oak and more.
Woods for backing: Hickory, ash and more.

Comments

[jmichelin]

I eas wondeing how to make a bow out of thinner materials, and i was wondering how thick all you guys make your bows, a laminated english war bow would be neat

[ChrisMBows]

Suggestions for a war bow: 75" - 80" long and 1/2" thick at the tip and about
1 1/4" thick at the center of the bow (the exact dimensions depend on which type of wood you chose). A war bow bends all the way through the handle section (no handle raiser). Making a bow this way will maximise shooting distance, but you will lose some control and accuracy.
Chris

[mvankan]

I think you are missing a few steps.... to make a good longbow anyways.....

[fatchumba667]

Just remember this is an 'ible of a SIMPLE laminate longbow, made easy for people probably who want a neat project for a sunday afternoon or simply learning bow making :)

[a4great]

I agree... It would have been nice if he also showed stringing (was a tad confusing).

[Rteen]

I had some trouble finding that out too

[nerd12]

easy way to string most bows-
1. hold bow as normal and place lower end in ground
2. attach the slipknot of the string to the lower end
3. grasp the other end of the string and bend the bow down.
4. loop the knot over end.
5. check both ends for tightness (to see if the string is slipping or might when firing

Thats about it!
have fun and play safe

[PENNY1999]

where did you get those woods and how far does it shoot? and by the way YOU ARE AWESOME!!!!!!!!!

[ChrisMBows]

Thank you! This longbow has an ash back and the wood comes from the forest behind our workshop. The ipe belly is made from a board from my local hardwood store.
I have not tested the shooting distance of this bow, but my best guess is about 200 meters (218 yards) with the right arrow.
Chris

[edvannatta68]

see this cool want long mach this

[thomas 666]

what wood did you use to make it ?

[ChrisMBows]

The longbow shown in the photo has an ash back and an ipe belly.
Chris

[ChrisMBows]

Thank you all for all the wonderful comments and questions.
I have answered some of the questions and then I have updated the tutorial to address the rest of your questions. Thank you!
Chris

[highjacked]

What's the draw strength on this bow?

[ChrisMBows]

40-60 pounds - it is really hard to say because it depends on which type of wood you use, your bow making style and skill:) If this is the first time you make a bow, it will probably be lower than 40 pounds before you are done with it.

As mentioned, the draw weight also depends on your draw length (the distance from the back of the bow to the string when you draw the string back to shoot the arrow). On average when target shooting, this distance is 28" and most people use the corner of the mouth or the cheekbone as an anchor point.

[scorpman]

longbows do not have a set draw length like a compound bow. You pull it back to the length you need. The father you pull it back, the harder it get.

[Mrjamfunkalot]

Actually there is a draw weight to longbows. The draw length on average runs about 28" and the weight is measured by placing the bow on a suspended scale and pulling down to that distance. Based on the thickness and number of your tapered laminates including the length of your bow there will be variations to this weight. Material also plays a roll. Indeed there are different drawing distances based on who is pulling it back but the draw weight is measurable.

[Lord Jon Bigglesworth]

Longbows were originally drawn back to the ear or farther, while most other bows were pulled back to the eyes. Longbowmen required 10 years of training in order to build up the muscle in their drawing arm. A typical longbowman could fire 12-15 shots in a minute, with very high accuracy. In this way, they were actually more effective than the muskets which were coming into use. However, you didn't need 10 years to train a person to shoot a gun, so longbows were used only in England, and only for a very short window of time (around a century, if memory serves).

In any case, there is no measure of how much power the bow has per say, unless you know exactly how far back you draw it every time, and you know the equations based on your bow, the type of wood, the string, your draw length, etc.

[cblackwell]

Also, native american style bows were usually shot "instinctively", which is a different style. The bow arm is pushed forward while the arrow hand is pulled back to the area of the chin or corner of the mouth. One fluid movement and then released when 'instinct' said it was on target. The bow was not held in the pulled position for more than a second.
The hold position seems to come from a military background where archers worked in groups rather than a hunting style where they worked alone. For most native traditions the range was much closer than modern hunters would believe. 3 to 10 feet being the range for a honorable kill of the animal. "the arrow would enter the animal before the fletching/feathers passed the hand." It takes good stalking or hiding/camouflage/scent masking skills compared to a tree stand shot at 50 feet. A different skill set for a different time and tradition.

[DaiVrath]

One small correction: Longbowmen used back muscles just as much as arm muscles, both are required to use such powerful bows.
Other than that everything you said was right on.

[periodthree]

Where do you buy your timber?

[ChrisMBows]

For the most part I actually cut my own:) If I want more exotic woods like e.g. ipe, I buy it at the hardware store. A lot of fine hardwoods can be found there.

[Aaronius]

Simple, effective and beautiful. Can red or white oak be used?

[ChrisMBows]

Both red and white oak works great, especially when used as a belly laminate. Oak can also be used for a back laminate, but you have to make sure you do not cut the grain when preparing the laminate.
Chris

[electrowizard]

Yes,white oak can and is used,as for red oak,it is less common,you could use it for a backing.

[star_dust]

Belly side? Belly tapers? Please explain.

[cblackwell]

Think of holding the bow as dancing with your partner. The belly is towards you and the back is away.
Belly tapers are usually the fade from the thicker, unbending handle to the bending/working parts of the bow. Smooth and graceful to avoid a hinge type fracture of the wood.

[Sun Spirit]

Another way to describe the belly is the side of the bow closest the one sees as one shoots, easy to remember because it's the side closest to the one's belly.

[Lord Jon Bigglesworth]

The belly is the inside of the bow, where you would put your hand. What he means is, taper only that side, not the outside.

[ilpug]

Oak and willow work, but are less springy in general, and are more susceptible to humidity.

[nerd12]

i actually tried this method but due to a distinct lack of good wood i used ply wood. worst mistake ever. certainly not even mildly springy enough for a bow. i laminated two pieces together and then bent it while gluing to hold its shape. i wanted to make a re-curve bow but it was so inflexible and strong that now i use it as a practice katana

[cricket3_2000]

Can you get this type of wood and glue at lowes? About how much does it cost to make one?

[mrmucox]

It is very important to use good glue! I have had my bow, which I spent many hours shaping and working on, break the second time I tried it out because the backing de-laminated. The friend who taught me, has also had this happen a few times. Elmer's wood glue is NOT a good choice. take a look at some of the traditional archery websites for the best glue choices.

[Speidumb]

TItebond III works well, and it is designed for outdoor use. If you really want to do it professional style, use URAC 185. It is the glue that professionals use when they make bows - a quick look on ebay shows 1 pint for about $20 including shipping.

[Mrjamfunkalot]

There is also an epoxy called smooth-on which is a flexible laminating epoxy and it is sold by a company called Bingham Inc. they are a bow making supplier of materials. They also sell laminates and patterns to custom build a bow press for longbows and recurves including take down bows. They even sell strips of carbon fiber to run in the core of the bow for added performance.

[abakels]

Use by shooting with a bow a bandage on your arm for protect to become injured.

[thepelton]

The prescribed woods are there because of their natural springiness, not their looks. Oak doesn't have the springiness of yew or osage orange. English laburnum would also work.

[scoochmaroo]

Gorgeous! I want one.