Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: J05H on June 03, 2015, 10:12:31 pm

Title: Can I flip this?
Post by: J05H on June 03, 2015, 10:12:31 pm

I'm not sure what will happen when I try to flip the tips on this one. Where the knot hole is on the belly, there is only a slight hump and a red spot on the back. I'm not talking about a full recurve, just slightly flipped, but the bend will be right where the knot is. Any suggestions or insights?

(http://i879.photobucket.com/albums/ab359/J05H/IMG_20150603_202136556_1.jpg)

Title: Re: Can I flip this?
Post by: osage outlaw on June 03, 2015, 10:18:11 pm

Knots near the end like that make me nervous about flipping them.  I usually put it on my reflex caul and leave the tips alone.

Title: Re: Can I flip this?
Post by: bubby on June 03, 2015, 10:26:27 pm

Go ahead and flip it, if you have 8" past the knot you can do a static

Title: Re: Can I flip this?
Post by: Vgo750 on June 03, 2015, 11:22:30 pm

Anxious to see replies on this as i am literally pondering the exact same thing on a stave with a slightly bigger knot in about the exact same place as yours.  I think Im going to reflex at the handle and inch or two and heat treat but not flip the tips.

Title: Re: Can I flip this?
Post by: DC on June 04, 2015, 12:06:27 am

One thing I have learned is that slight hump will cause problems. It forces the wood to bend right where it shouldn't. Maybe cut a matching dip in the caul.

Title: Re: Can I flip this?
Post by: sleek on June 04, 2015, 12:24:27 am

I use wedges under it to spread out the bend properly.  Done it several times without problems.  Just put wedges under infront and behind pushing them in further where you need it to bend more. Have the tip and mid limb clamped down to do this.

Title: Re: Can I flip this?
Post by: J05H on June 04, 2015, 02:03:33 am

So, the consensus seems to be that it's not a great idea, but there are ways to make it work. The important thing is to focus on just the tip, and leave the knot unbending. Have I got that right? I think I have a plan worked out, but I'm gonna think about for a few days before I do anything.Thanks for the advice guys, and if anyone has anything to add, I'm all ears.

Title: Re: Can I flip this?
Post by: mikekeswick on June 04, 2015, 04:41:16 am

What you've got to ask yourself is how violated the grain is there - that determines how far you can push it. The sharpest recurves need one perfect ring on the belly, you obviously haven't got that....but it's quite hard to say how long the piece of string is!

Title: Re: Can I flip this?
Post by: bubby on June 04, 2015, 09:00:57 am

Mike he just wants to flip the tips he's fine for that

Title: Re: Can I flip this?
Post by: J05H on June 04, 2015, 06:05:45 pm

Ok, here's where I'm at. I have about 1.5" of reflex and enough length that my string angle won't be too bad. It would probably be fine if I left it as is, but I think I'm gonna go ahead and try for very slight flipped tips. Here's what it looks like now. Thanks for the help guys.

Edit: Now that I'm seeing this as a static pic, it looks like I need more reflex in the left limb to make them match. Any thoughts?

(http://i879.photobucket.com/albums/ab359/J05H/IMG_20150604_162152987_HDR.jpg)