Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: JonW on August 18, 2011, 08:45:46 pm

Title: Recurve Jig Question
Post by: JonW on August 18, 2011, 08:45:46 pm
I started to lay out a pattern for a recurve jig and I can't decide on the diameter of the circle I want to use. What do some of you guys use?

Jon W.
Title: Re: Recurve Jig Question
Post by: bubby on August 18, 2011, 09:25:19 pm
I used a 5 gal bucket for one, Bub
Title: Re: Recurve Jig Question
Post by: Pat B on August 18, 2011, 10:00:59 pm
Probably 6" or more radius. 8" to 10" radius might be better for your first.
Title: Re: Recurve Jig Question
Post by: JonW on August 18, 2011, 10:30:19 pm
Wouldn't 6" radius be like a pop can? I was thinking about something like a five gallon bucket but it seemed big when you look at the circle. Wood is pretty cheap though and I can try some different sizes.
Title: Re: Recurve Jig Question
Post by: Catnapper on August 18, 2011, 11:57:04 pm
Radius is measured from the center of the circle to the outside so a popcan would be like a 1.5" radius. A 5 gallon bucket would be about 6" radius......i have also been wondering what size of circle to use for a recurve so im glad  u posted this question.  :)
Title: Re: Recurve Jig Question
Post by: mikekeswick on August 19, 2011, 06:38:16 am
The smaller the radius the more energy stored by the limb.. :)all things being equal! The smaller the radius the harder the wood is to bend! >:D
Title: Re: Recurve Jig Question
Post by: Prarie Bowyer on August 21, 2011, 01:38:46 am
The larger the radius the less likley to snap the wood.  5 gal bucket is a good starting place.  I should have used that. 
Title: Re: Recurve Jig Question
Post by: Pat B on August 21, 2011, 12:25:32 pm
I used the wrong termalology I guess. A 6" diameter or bigger circle would be a good place to start.
Title: Re: Recurve Jig Question
Post by: makenzie71 on August 21, 2011, 01:57:40 pm
I'm doing my first laminate recurve right now...I don't have a lot of hope for it but oh well.  I'm using a piece of 18" steel pipe as a form, flipping the last 12" of the limbs.
Title: Re: Recurve Jig Question
Post by: Prarie Bowyer on August 22, 2011, 09:56:07 pm
Mine broke.  So much time and effort it's hardly worth it.  Maybee wood species makes a difference but I tried to use the 4estTrecker method and I wound up piking the bow.  Both sides cracked split and simply broke.  I've seen some realy big recurve tip overlays that were glued on .  I may try that method next.

My radius was the top of a 5 gal bucket for an 11" section that was pretapered.