It is your responsibility to make sure that any project you undertake is safe, effective and legal for your situation. Bow making, bow shooting, and woodworking are dangerous activities where an accident, injury or death is possible. All localhost/byob_update information, blueprints, and instructions booklets are offered AS IS for information and entertainment purposes only. No warranties are expressed or implied. By using this information, blueprint, or instructions booklet you agree to hold localhost/byob_update harmless from any damages or injuries of any kind that might result from errors, omissions or other causes.
Will my finished bow reach my intended draw weight?
Finished draw weights are suggested but impossible to guarantee. The thickness charts provided with each blueprint are based on a suggested thickness of Gordon’s Composites fiberglass back and belly laminations, and a suggested combination of parallel and/or tapered wood core laminations. If you build your bow according to our plans and suggested layup, the finished draw weight of your finished bow should come out very close to the draw weight listed on the chart.
Because of the many variables affecting draw weight, be advised that the finished draw weight of your bow may vary from the suggested thickness/draw weight charts. Draw weight is a dynamic variable that is dependent on the bending resistance of the materials used. Making bows is not an exact science. Even professional bowyers sometimes miss their intended draw weights.
If any bow feature is changed: thickness, length, width, reflex, deflex, side profile, width profile, thickness of fiberglass and wood laminations, etc., the finished draw weight will vary from our suggestion chart. In addition, be advised that different species of wood, different brands of fiberglass, and sometimes even different batches of fiberglass, will have different stiffness and elasticity properties that will result in a different finished draw weight of your bow.
For example, using more, thinner laminations is usually stiffer than using fewer, thicker laminations. Using decorative veneers in addition to the core laminations are usually stiffer than just using core laminations without veneers. Hardwood cores are usually stiffer than bamboo cores. Actionwood cores may differ from solid wood cores. Edge grain wood cores are usually stiffer than flat grain wood cores.
A bow limb with a rectangular cross section is usually stiffer than the same limb design with trapping (grinding an angle on the sides of the limbs to create a trapezoidal cross section of the limb).
These are just a few examples of how using different materials and how bow shape changes can affect draw weight. Please start your bow project with the expectation that the finished draw weight of your bow should come out close to the charts provided, but will likely vary some. This degree of unpredictability is true for all blueprints and plans, no matter who sells them. We are just trying to be honest about what you can expect about the bow making process before you start your bow project.
If you have questions, please Contact me and I will help and make suggestions.