How to Build Fiberglass Hunting Bows

Hunting bows are ancient and powerful weapons that have been modernized by enthusiasts around the world. Today, fiberglass bows are popular with many people involved in the sport of archery. Building a bow entirely of fiberglass is very difficult in your own home. However, it is possible to laminate a wooden bow with fiberglass, creating a fiberglass hunting bow. Making one of these bows yourself requires some basic woodworking ability, the right materials and a great deal of patience.

Things You'll Need

  • Paper
  • Pencil
  • Plywood
  • Band saw
  • Sandpaper
  • File
  • Fiberglass strips
  • Maple strips
  • Glue
  • Clamps
  • Curing box
  • Vice
  • Sharp knife
  • Soft cloth
  • Spray-on finish
  • Nylon bow string
Show More

Instructions

  1. Make the Bow Form

    • 1

      Design the profile of your bow using paper and pencil. You should draw the profile as it will look before the bow string is applied. This means the bow should be fairly straight as the bow string will cause your bow to bend. Your design should be full size so you can copy it onto plywood with ease. The height of the bow is up to you.

    • 2

      Copy this design onto two pieces of plywood and cut them out carefully using the band saw. These are the basis of your bow form. Be careful not to make the bow too thick. You have to be able to wrap your hand around the grip area with a little room to spare. Sand the edges of both pieces smooth to prevent slivers.

    • 3

      Use the file to narrow the grip area of the bow to the desired width.

    Build the Bow

    • 4

      Using your paper design as a template, cut out a single bow form from your maple strip.

    • 5

      Cut two bow forms from the fiberglass strips. You will have to flip the paper over to cut a second piece of fiberglass since they will have to go on opposite sides of the bow. You should end up with two pieces of fiberglass that are mirror images of each other.

    • 6

      Place one piece of your plywood bow form on a firm surface. Place a fiberglass form shiny side down on top of the plywood. Make sure you're using the correct piece of fiberglass. It should line up with your plywood form exactly. Apply glue to the exposed side of the fiberglass strip.

    • 7

      Place the maple form over the fiberglass so that it lines up with the fiberglass and plywood. Coat exposed side with glue.

    • 8

      Take the second fiberglass form and place it shiney side up on top of the maple form. Line it up with the maple form.

    • 9

      Place the plywood form on top of the fiberglass and clamp everything together. You should have five layers of material. From bottom to top these layers should be plywood, fiberglass, maple, fiberglass and plywood. If everything has been cut well, the layers should line up when clamped. Let the bow sit for four to five days. This allows time for the glue to set.

    • 10

      Remove the clamps and discard the plywood. Cut strips of fiberglass to cover any exposed maple and glue these in place. Clamp these in place and let the bow sit for four more days.

    Shape the Bow

    • 11

      Remove the clamps and check to be certain that everything is glued together well. Nothing should be loose or peeling. If it is, apply more glue and reclamp for several days. If everything is securely in place, proceed with shaping your bow.

    • 12

      Place the bow in the curing box for several hours. Six to eight hours is usually sufficient.

    • 13

      Remove the bow from the curing box and secure in place using the vice. This will prevent the bow from moving as you shape your bow.

    • 14

      Using a file and sandpaper smooth any rough or harsh edges. Round the edges of the bow as well. This is especially important in the grip area, so make sure you can grip the bow easily.

    • 15

      Remove the bow from the vice.

    Finish the Bow

    • 16

      Add nocks to your bow. These are the little pieces on the end of the bow that hold the bow string in place. These can be made by taking two thin pieces of maple approximately two inches long and making one-inch incisions in each one using a sharp knife. Glue these on to the ends of the bow, making sure the incisions are free to thread the bow string through. Allow the nocks to dry for three to four days.

    • 17

      Use sandpaper to remove any visible glue or debris from the fiberglass shell of your bow.

    • 18

      Wipe the bow clean with a soft cloth.

    • 19

      Coat your bow in a fiberglass spray-on finish. Allow this to dry according to the manufacturer's directions.

    • 20

      Thread the bow string through one of the nocks of the bow. Tie it securely. Thead the other end of the bow string through the second nock. Tighten the string until the bow bends slightly. How much bend you allow is up to you. You should be able to fully draw the bow, so don't over-tighten the string. You may have to experiement a bit to get the correct tension, so take your time.

    • 21

      Test your new fiberglass bow and make any necessary adjustments. When these adjustments are completed, your fiberglass hunting bow is ready for use.