Author Topic: Remove backset?  (Read 317 times)

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Offline Groucho

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Remove backset?
« on: July 03, 2025, 07:22:38 pm »
I haven't been on this forum in many years but I'm back to bow making.  Working on an osage self-bow and plan to reflex the tips.  One of the limbs has more backset than the other and in tillering I think I'm taking off too much from the backset limb.  It's getting thinner than the other limb.  Should I heat the backset out?  Thanks for the advice!
You only keep what you give away.  Jeff Gunderson, New Richmond Ohio

Offline sleek

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Re: Remove backset?
« Reply #1 on: July 03, 2025, 07:54:52 pm »
Hey Groucho, welcome back! Id say the limb with the arrow looks good, the other limb is bending too much in the inner limbs. Are you at full draw yet?
Tread softly and carry a bent stick.

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Offline Groucho

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Re: Remove backset?
« Reply #2 on: July 03, 2025, 08:36:52 pm »
Thanks Sleek, I didn't think of that.  It's not at full draw yet, actually I haven't braced it yet.  I think I'll brace it and look at it again.
You only keep what you give away.  Jeff Gunderson, New Richmond Ohio

Offline sleek

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Re: Remove backset?
« Reply #3 on: July 03, 2025, 09:30:14 pm »
Id get that left limb bending better past the fades so its not hinged before I braced it. Otherwise you will stress that hinge too much.
Tread softly and carry a bent stick.

Dont seek your happiness through the approval of others

Offline Eric Krewson

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Re: Remove backset?
« Reply #4 on: July 04, 2025, 10:24:50 am »
Your side layout is "iffy", very uneven.

If you draw side lines that are the same on all 4 sides you will have much less trouble matching your limbs.

Like this; I drop my line 1/16" every 6" as I go to the tip. The bellies of my bows are slightly rounded and get almost round near the tip.






Offline Selfbowman

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Re: Remove backset?
« Reply #5 on: July 05, 2025, 08:13:51 pm »
Are the growth rings thicker on one limb vs the other? If so on some bows I have built one limb will be thicker.
Well I'll say!!  Osage is king!!

Offline Pappy

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Re: Remove backset?
« Reply #6 on: July 05, 2025, 09:31:43 pm »
That’s almost always the case on a stave almost always root end has largely grown  than leaf end, that’s why sister billets are preferred if you like to splice. I don’t pay much attention to thickness after lay out, just tiller . Pappy
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Offline superdav95

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Re: Remove backset?
« Reply #7 on: Today at 12:50:35 am »
Good point pappy and Arvin.  Growth rings thickness can play tricks.  Another option to consider is to get some heat applied to the weaker limb inners.  Pay attention to any characteristic humps and bumps on the back to mirror those on the belly.  Use your finger calipers to feel it better then the eye can see.   This carefull attention to this will give a consistent even bend no matter the character if any.  Best of luck and welcome back to AA. Archery Anonymous😁
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