DIY Reflex / Deflex Build

[ZuluBravo]

Thought I’d start a thread for a bow I’m working on. This is my first DIY recurve (tips, tricks, and advice are welcome). I got the wood for the bow off EBay. The bow is bamboo backed degame lemonwood with ipe accents. It is 67” tip to tip and has about 2” of recurve. I’m shooting for a final draw weight of 50# at 28”. I’ll post pics up as I continue on the build. Let me know what you think!

 

[ZuluBravo]

Here is the layout and glue up. The bow is approx 1 1/2” wide at its wides part and 67” long. I’ve heard of many different ways to lay out the handle but I decided to off set the handle 1 1/2” to account for shooting three fingers under. I used Smooth On EA40 epoxy, bicycle inner tube, and C clamps for the glue up.

 

[ZuluBravo]

Fresh out of the jig after about 48 hrs of dry time:

Spent about an hours rasping and sanding the excess epoxy off:


Really liking the contrast between the lemonwood and ipe!

 

[ZuluBravo]

Made some progress on the limb tip overlays and arrow shelf. Still have to remove some more material, shape the limb tips, and cut in the string grooves.

 

[KBC]

Oh sh!t just when I thought the compound game was it and tuning, getting into arrow building etc. spoke to me as a DIY guy, I open this...I'm not a good enough hunter to trad.

Nice work!

 

[Jimbob]

Very cool. The DIY bow build is in my distant future for sure.

 

[ZuluBravo]

String nocks are filed in and started the tillering process. Going slow with it as this is my first time tillering anything. Shooting for 50 lbs at 28”

 

[ZuluBravo]

Slowly starting to “bow”. Working on getting the tiller correct and hopefully hit my target weight/draw length. Slow process!

 

[stonewall]

Wow!

 

[TX_Diver]

I have no idea what "tillering" is but cool thread. Will definitely keep checking back.

Cheers.

 

[ZuluBravo]

Haven’t posted in a while. Got the bow shooting. Going to need to tune some arrows prior to this hunting season... and ALOT of practice! Overall it’s been a super fun project and great learning experience!

 

[ZuluBravo]

Artificial Copperhead backing. Should camo the back of the bow up nicely!

 

[ZuluBravo]

Leather grip and arrow shelf all set up.

 

[ZuluBravo]

All finished up! Pulling 44# at 28”, overall I’m happy for my bow. Should be a good weight to learn on and still be able to take it out to the woods this fall!

 

[ZuluBravo]

 

[TX_Diver]

That's awesome but that copperhead backing would scare the crap out of me every time I set my bow down and then walked up to it in the grass again!!

Great looking bow/project though.

 

[ZuluBravo]

You and me both. Had a run in with a 4-5’er in the backyard once... that was enough for me!