ORIGINAL: Rangeball
Actually I think it was volume III (library didn't have IV then, I need to check again), and a bunch of time spent at the paleo world forum
The tiller from the sides aspect of the Pyramid bow design intrigues me. I can imagine doing it with a joiner. I also really like the look of the pyramid bows, especially the narrow starting ones, not so much the really wide ones. I may even let it bend in the handle a bit, depending on how it feels.
All of this is in the conceptual stage right now, and I figure if I don't try it, I'll never know. I simply don't currently have the free time to build stave bows, maybe someday, and until I get the true pyramid out of my system, I won't be able to move onto belly elliptical tillering board bows.
If it works, I had even thought of backing it with thin glass, assuming I can find some thin enough that won't overpower the compression strength of the red oak, which if I remember correctly is pretty good, more so than it's tension strength.
I would get belly tillering down first. Your notion of a jointer is great, until you tiller. When you start tillering, you will find the slightest removal of wood, will make a huge difference. You will rock along taking big curls off, then all of the sudden a hinge will show up. Side tillering is kind of hard to learn. Not too hard after you have belly tiller down but you have to watch for limb twist more so than with belly tillering. That is why I suggested a flat design. True pyramids are kind of hard to tiller, if you have not spent much time belly tillering. Or in my oppinion. Ive done a few pyramid and paddle designs. Both designs are side tiller designs.
As for using glass. dont worry about over powering the belly. You can get by with all kinds of stuff when you put it under glass. Also, glass the back before you ever start tillering. You dont need to buy prepregnated glass, just use two part, clear epoxy and glass cloth. It will be perfectly clear after it cures.
But you are right, if that is what you want to do, go for it. You never learn until you try.