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Common mistakes in deflex/reflex bows?
Tuomo:
I think the biggest mistake is having too much reflex (tips bent too far behind the back). The second mistake is not using the VirtualBow program to model the bow and find the correct taper rate for a specific front profile.
In my opinion, and what I prefer to do, is keep the reflex at about 0–50 mm—no more in normal bow. If I want to make a flight bow or a bow just for speed, and I can trust my materials, then more.
I always make deflex–reflex bows as laminates, because then the correct taper rate for evenly distributed stress is easy to achieve. Usually, a taper of 0.006 or 0.008 works well. I have a good taper sled, so the tiller is almost always spot on. If the tiller needs correction, a scraper works well and is almost the only tool I use.
willie:
--- Quote from: sleek on December 14, 2025, 03:08:57 am ---Start even, finish even.
--- End quote ---
knowing what bend to eyeball for is not as intuitive with a R/D as it is with a straight bow.
Removing wood to the correct tapers will produce the desired bend.
Aussie Yeoman:
Thanks folks. This is good material so far.
When reflexing laminations so close to finished dimensions, what do you expect the spring back to be off the caul? As in, if you want to have the tips deflected 3" from their deflexed position, do you glue the limbs in 6" of reflex? More? Less?
Tuomo:
--- Quote from: Aussie Yeoman on December 14, 2025, 03:24:25 pm ---When reflexing laminations so close to finished dimensions, what do you expect the spring back to be off the caul? As in, if you want to have the tips deflected 3" from their deflexed position, do you glue the limbs in 6" of reflex? More? Less?
--- End quote ---
The more laminates used, the less springback there is. I prefer to use four laminates; with that configuration, the springback is about 10 mm (1/2") at most. With three laminates there is slightly more, but it has never been a problem or something I would take into account. For a 45–50# bow, the total thickness is about 15 mm. With four laminates, each laminate is under 4 mm thick, so they are relatively thin. Set is another matter: if you want the finished bow to have a side profile similar to the model, you should take that into account.
Aussie Yeoman:
I'm planning on using two lams - belly and backing. At least to start. Bamboo and an Australian hardwood, called Ironbark. It's heavier than water and stiffer than the timbers you folks think are stuff, like bulletwood or ipe.
According to virtual bow, the thickness overall at the start of the working limb will be about 11 mm, and just over 5 at the tip.
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