RE: first self-bow
58" was just too short period. Rule of thumb on minimum bow lengthfor making bows with red oak... Your draw length times 2 plus 20-30%. My opinion, guys with shorter draws are safe at 20%. Ape-armed knuckle draggers like me need to go 30%. Guys in between, 25%. When you've got some experience at it you can start pushing the minimums by making the limbs wider and flatter, but beginners should fudge on the long side.
28" draw X 2 = 56"
25% of56 is 14
Avg bow length for 28" draw is 70".
Follow that formula and it'll put the odds of making a shooter a lot more in your favor.