purpose of tip overlays?

[paulc]

I assume they are more than cosemtic??  TIA, paulc

[zenmonkeyman]

Overlays allow you to cut a nice deep string groove across the back without cutting the bow's back.  Bows will delaminate at the tip if you cut through the back.  And that's not good.

[Grunt]

Overlays are mandatory in boo backed bows. Without overlays the boo will split on the nock groove edges.

[Josh]

... and since you are able to carve a groove in the back of the bow with the tip overlays, you can make your tips much narrower. 

[sailordad]

Overlays are mandatory in boo backed bows. Without overlays the boo will split on the nock groove edges.

i disagree
i have a boo/ipe bow no overlays
well over 2k arrows have been shot thru it
no problems with the tips at all

imo they are just for cosmetic reasons

[HatchA]

Overlays are mandatory in boo backed bows. Without overlays the boo will split on the nock groove edges.

i disagree
i have a boo/ipe bow no overlays
well over 2k arrows have been shot thru it
no problems with the tips at all

imo they are just for cosmetic reasons

Same here but it's 69" ttt so maybe the tension is lessened on the tips as a result?

I do plan on shortening it some day soon and putting on overlays though

[DanaM]

If your using Fast Flight strings then a good hard overlay is a must as it will saw the tip off of most woods, with a traditional string such as, linen, rawhide, or sinew this may not be
the case but what the hell they look so dang good why not put them on eh

[Jesse]

Overlays are mandatory in boo backed bows. Without overlays the boo will split on the nock groove edges.

I gotta disagree as well. I have done them without the overlays and they held up fine. It is a good idea to use overlays though

[sailordad]

i would probably use them
if i was better at making them,and had some nicer materials to make them from

[Justin Snyder]

I don't know if they are mandatory on all boo backed bows, but they are mandatory on mine! I have damaged tip overlays on bows while hunting. If they didn't have overlays, it would have been an explosion.

[Jesse]

I don't know if they are mandatory on all boo backed bows, but they are mandatory on mine! I have damaged tip overlays on bows while hunting. If they didn't have overlays, it would have been an explosion.

Another good reason to use them

[NTD]

I hate them.  I think they look outstanding on other people's bows but I suck at doing nocks as it is that overlays just exaggerate how much I suck.  But I definitely appreciate the benefits of them.

[recurve shooter]

I think they look outstanding on other people's bows but I suck at doing nocks as it is that overlays just exaggerate how much I suck.  But I definitely appreciate the benefits of them.

lol same here but i try anyway. 

[adb]

Overlays are mandatory in boo backed bows. Without overlays the boo will split on the nock groove edges.

No it won't!

[Grunt]

Overlays are mandatory in boo backed bows. Without overlays the boo will split on the nock groove edges.

I'm listening to you guys. I just did one boo backed bow without overlays and the boo split on the edge of the nock during tillering. I superglued it and filed a flat and used an overlay. Had no problems after that.  Maybe I need to try it again without overlays. It sure would save some time.