Any one got any ideas on how to make a longbow? Is it basically just carving one out or is there more to it?

I've never done it myself, but Rudderbows has a ton of kits and a video on how to make one. I didn't spend a lot of time there. Maybe they have a book or two as well. Here's the link:

http://www.rudderbows.com/

There's a little more to it than that, but not much. You have to make sure each limb bends evenly over it's entire length and that you don't have one limb a whole lot stronger than the other. And you have to know to make a selfbow's lengthat least double your draw length, plus another 15-20%. And that a flatbow can be made a tad shorter than a round belly, stacked longbow.

I was reading through Hill's "Hunting the Hard Way" again yesterday and was reminded that he recommends a 72" bow as standard for a 28" draw![:-]But that's for a round belly, stacked longbow. I've been shooting a 71" flatbow at 30" draw for several years. It's got some string follow, but not bad.

Rule of thumbfor a decentselfbow is for it to shoot a 10 grains per pound arrow at 100 fps plus the bow's draw weight. My flatbow draws around 60 pounds and has put 550 gn arrows over the chronograph at 166 fps.

Here are a couple of sites for you to peruse.
http://mysite.verizon.net/georgeandjoni/archer.html
http://groups.msn.com/ferretsarcherywebpage

Here's one for making flemish strings for your bow once you git-r-done.
http://www2.pcom.net/jthutten/jth/doc/flemish.htm

I have being making bows since I learned how to walk and hold a machete in my hand, it was the only tool I used when I was a boy, then I got into shop in Jr. high and learned to use machines.
Then i left the trd. bowing and got into compound bows, then recently i got the Bug for longbows again, since last year I have made about 20 for myself and friends, the best free instructions you can get are from Micky Lotz site on the net.

http://groups.msn.com/ferretsarcherywebpage

You can join free and read all the instructions on different types of longbow making, good luck.

Get the Boyer's bible Volume 1.

The issue of Traditional Bowhunters Magazine has an article on how to build your first lam bow in it.

I'm seriously getting the fever to put together another lam bow, myself. Got a reflex/deflex already, so now I need a straight limb Hill style. With a dished grip. Boo lams. Black glass on the back, white on the belly (I've been smitten by the Wesley Special). Shedua riser. Only question is... 68" or 70".

Split the difference and go 69".

Now get working

Thanks for all of the help...

64" IS THE BEST FOR TREE STAND HUNTING