I understand where he is coming from,I guess in the earlier years I would have
tried about anything to save a bow[and did] and some of the ideas here will probably work ,if not for good at least for a while,so he should take the advice given from those that have done it and go for it, if it works he will be happy if not then he can move on.
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I also will try repairs,on most selfbows their is some repairs along the way [almost always] I also save broken limbs and all of that for future use.But some problems such as frets I just retire it or most likely cut it up and cook brats with it and move on.
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Let us know how you proceed and how it works out for you.
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Pappy