Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Jon_W on April 26, 2021, 11:39:10 am
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Is there "too much character" in a bow for it to take reflexed tips? I am working on an HHB bow that has a large knot and a crook on the same limb. I don't have a good picture of it right now but am wondering if reflex will put too much stress on a weirdly shaped limb?
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If you do your part tillering there shouldn't be any problem with the knot and crook.
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Depends if you are willing to risk all your work going BANG!
It's as simple as that.
Del
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Thanks guys, I have the bow out to 10" at 55lbs so I have a lot of work to do before I reflex it. Del, I am definitely a little worried about that! But I am looking for a mild reflex in the tip for that little extra zip and a smoother draw. I'll probably risk it if the bow has been holding up fine when I get it pulled farther.
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I generally have found that most anything I’ve done to a bow limb that has extra character runs a risk of creating a compromise. What I would have to check would be how the limb will be stressed when drawn. By that I mean, what vector plane(s) will be stressed on the wonky limb during the draw. If there’s going to be a lot of torsion type stress that would make me nervous. ...but if the limbs will move in a single plane as the bow is drawn it’s not as concerning.
OneBow
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If some propeller twist was taken out and the bow seemed to be bending along a single plane, that should help then?
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Any corrections will help.
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If the stave has quite a bit of character then it's best not to introduce a substantial amount of reflex of recurve....keep it mild
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Yes you've got to realize that character bows are always a compromise. They carry more limb wood to do the same job as clean wood.
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Pic???
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Sorry, I don't have a pic of it right now, it's up north where I can work on it. Next time I do work on it I'll snap some more pictures.
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Alright, here is my bow I am working on.
HHB
68" ntn
looking for 55-60# @ 30"
2" at fades and tapers down where I thought it could
Bottom limb is the one with a lot of character
Any thoughts on putting general backset in the bow while heat treating the belly or doing a mild reflex in the tips?
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Hmm, for me 68“ would be to short for reliable 30“ draw - even with that drawweight…
Greetz
Cord
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Yes it is a bit short for a 30" draw. Make it work into the fades a little (fine line stuff but it will help get the drawlength). I wouldn't recurve the tips due to the tips and handle not lining up. It will still make a flatbow though, you could mildly flip the tips but I wouldn't. A heat treat and reflex the whole limb, maybe only an inch or so. Remember fresh low set wood will give you a fast bow. Adding reflex etc makes that goal harder and you can end up chasing your tail. Keep it simple to start with :)
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Looks good. Question is Why?
HH~
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Thanks for the advice, the wood has held up so far at farther draw lengths and taken some set. HH, I am planning on heat treating the belly and once I do that I can't do much else for reflex or recurves so I want to make sure I've got it all planned out before I do that.
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Most guys on here make premium recurves with premium wood to get a premium bow. If your tips line up with your riser, and the bow strings straight, tiller it to your draw length , and leave well enough alone. Even if you have a little string follow it still should make a nice shooting bow, and save you grief. Been their,done that.
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I think the propeller twist you are seeing is alignment related and the recurves would only make it worse unless you devote some time towards getting the tip alignment perfect.
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I had a hhb bow at 66". It was shooting great. I tried dry heat to recurve it and broke it so I shortened it. Retillered and got it shooting again. Thought maybe I'll recurve it with steam. Broke it again. I wound up with a 48" 50# bow. I overdrew it just a little to far one day
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Good advice given.
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Thanks all, I won't be recurving this bow then! I'll try that on another one once I get there. Hopefully I can finish it soon!