How to Make a Laminated Composite Recurve Bow

Building your own composite laminated recurve bow may not be as hard as it sounds. Recurve bows have the ends of each limb curved slightly forward, with the bow string touching the limb when strung. These bows provide more power than their longbow predecessors, even more so when made from composite fiberglass materials. Such bows are nearly indestructible, and should perform optimally for years to come. Bow making is an art, so don't be discouraged if your first attempt isn't exactly what you want.

Things You'll Need

  • 2-by-6 inch wood plank (same length as the archer)
  • Band saw
  • Clamps
  • Fiberglass cloth
  • Paint brush
  • Epoxy resin and hardener
  • Sand paper
  • Bow string
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Instructions

    • 1

      Draw the side profile of your unstrung bow onto the flat side of a 2-by-6 wood plank. This can be copied from an existing bow, or can also be an original design. Be sure to incorporate the grip as well as riser detail in this outline.

    • 2

      Cut out your bow clamp on a band saw. Cut along the line you drew in step 1 to create a front and back press for your composite bow.

    • 3

      Lay the front press on a table with the cut side facing upward. Mix your epoxy resin and hardener, according to the manufacturer's directions, and then paint some on to a length of fiberglass cloth. Lay this strip over the contours of the front press.

    • 4

      Add more layers of fiberglass cloth and epoxy until you have attained the desired thickness evenly across the length of your bow. Note that the riser section will require substantially more layers of fiberglass cloth than the limbs to build up the thickness here.

    • 5

      Place the back press on top of your fiberglass cloth and the front press, then clamp the two presses together using some C-clamps, sandwiching the fiberglass between the presses. Allow for a few days for the fiberglass resin to cure and harden.

    • 6

      Remove the bow from the clamps and then draw on the contours you want for the sides. These should include the contours around the hand grip, arrow rest and string notches.

    • 7

      Cut out the profile of your bow by feeding it into a band saw. Sand smooth all surfaces of the bow beginning with some 140-grit sand paper, working up to a 400 grit. Paint or stain the bow as you like, string and test.