Author Topic: Top limb  (Read 3300 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline DC

  • Member
  • Posts: 10,396
Top limb
« on: June 27, 2016, 02:34:18 pm »
How do you decide which is going to be the top limb? All reasons, tiller, aesthetics, anything.

Offline MWirwicki

  • Member
  • Posts: 2,234
  • The wood speaks to you; Listen with your eyes. GSD
Re: Top limb
« Reply #1 on: June 27, 2016, 02:42:51 pm »
For me:

First: Which side of the bow's centerline that the braced string favors from should determine which limb should be on top.  Less "Archer's Paradox".
Second:  If dead center, then the weaker limb on top (provided the bow is symmetrical).
Matt Wirwicki
Owosso, MI

Offline PEARL DRUMS

  • Member
  • Posts: 14,079
  • }}}--CK-->
Re: Top limb
« Reply #2 on: June 27, 2016, 02:57:39 pm »
Same as Matt. If I have control over limb length and alignment I will put the limb with the most character on top for my eyes to see.
Only when the last tree has died and the last river has been poisoned and the last fish has been caught will we realize we cannot eat money.

Offline Pat B

  • Administrator
  • Member
  • Posts: 37,633
Re: Top limb
« Reply #3 on: June 27, 2016, 03:07:52 pm »
Like both above.
 I make my bows symmetrical. I'll shoot one in sometimes before determining top limb but not always.
Make the most of all that comes and the least of all that goes!    Pat Brennan  Brevard, NC

Offline JW_Halverson

  • Member
  • Posts: 11,923
Re: Top limb
« Reply #4 on: June 27, 2016, 03:33:17 pm »
As I lay out a bow, I will incorporate the end of the stage with the most character into the upper limb.  No reason other than it draws more attention.
Guns have triggers. Bicycles have wheels. Trees and bows have wooden limbs.

Offline wizardgoat

  • Member
  • Posts: 2,397
Re: Top limb
« Reply #5 on: June 27, 2016, 03:41:05 pm »
Most my bows I make my top limb longer, and like pearly and JW, I always put the limb with more wiggle and character on the top

Offline Jonas

  • Member
  • Posts: 88
Re: Top limb
« Reply #6 on: June 27, 2016, 04:08:48 pm »
I do not build my bows symetrical. For me, the most crucial factors are:
1) If there are potentially weak/problematic spots I try to put these in the upper limp. The lower limp has to bend more, weak spots are more stressed (if you let them bend)
2) If there is a reflex, I try to to put it in the lower limp, so it becomes faster. I put a deflex in the upper limp.
3) I ask myself which choice of limps favors the string (as MWirwicki said, less Archers Paradox)
4) aesthetics

Offline mullet

  • Global Moderator
  • Member
  • Posts: 22,911
  • Eddie Parker
Re: Top limb
« Reply #7 on: June 27, 2016, 09:47:46 pm »
I do like the above except put the crooked limb on the bottom for less distraction, unless it has a hole it.
Lakeland, Florida
 If you have to pull the trigger, is it really archery?

Offline SLIMBOB

  • Member
  • Posts: 3,759
  • Deplorable Slim
Re: Top limb
« Reply #8 on: June 27, 2016, 10:08:10 pm »
Usually the most character on top. 
Liberty, In God We Trust, E Pluribus Unum.  Distinctly American Values.

Offline Dances with squirrels

  • Member
  • Posts: 1,222
Re: Top limb
« Reply #9 on: June 28, 2016, 04:58:43 am »
I put the limb with the most imperfections(not necessarily character) up top. My bows are asymmetrical.
Straight wood may make a better bow, but crooked wood makes a better bowyer

Offline Del the cat

  • Member
  • Posts: 8,322
    • Derek Hutchison Native Wood Self Bows
Re: Top limb
« Reply #10 on: June 28, 2016, 08:30:10 am »
All the above ;D
Del
Health warning, these posts may contain traces of nut.

Offline Pappy

  • Global Moderator
  • Member
  • Posts: 32,198
  • if you have to ask you wouldn't understand ,Tenn.
Re: Top limb
« Reply #11 on: June 28, 2016, 09:21:54 am »
Same as Matt. :)
 Pappy
Clarksville,Tennessee
TwinOaks Bowhunters
Life is Good

Offline BowEd

  • Member
  • Posts: 9,390
  • BowEd
Re: Top limb
« Reply #12 on: June 28, 2016, 10:14:00 am »
About the same as everyone but I put the more reflexed limb on top.It ends up with more material removed and needs to bend more and over time I need the bottom limb to stay stronger.That's my reasoning and over many bows has proven to work for me for durability and efficiency over time.I've done it both ways.That's with even lengthed limbs also.
As far as string alignment on handle I remember where the string lays at low brace/grab the handle and look and feel it to determine that way too.I shoot it too lots of times but most times I can tell just from handling the bow at brace and looking at string on handle.
BowEd
You got to stand for something or you'll fall for anything.
Ed

Offline BowEd

  • Member
  • Posts: 9,390
  • BowEd
Re: Top limb
« Reply #13 on: June 28, 2016, 10:20:45 am »
DC....Also my handle centers are 1.5 to 1.75 below arrow pass too.
BowEd
You got to stand for something or you'll fall for anything.
Ed

Offline Joec123able

  • Member
  • Posts: 1,769
Re: Top limb
« Reply #14 on: June 28, 2016, 10:24:40 am »
I sight down the stave and look which side the string will track down. Which ever side determines what limbs are what.
I like osage