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Main Boards => The Bowyer's Bench => Topic started by: takefive on August 01, 2014, 09:22:00 PM

Title: Putting reflex into an elm board
Post by: takefive on August 01, 2014, 09:22:00 PM

I'm working on a rough sawn elm board, trying to make a 66" long flatbow.  It's a wide, flat sawn board and I cut the center 1 3/4" width out of it and was able to scrape it down to one unbroken ring, except for some violation in the handle area where it has a small hump.  Anyway, the tips are deflexed about 3/4".
I'd like to heat bend 2 or 3" of reflex into the tips.  Does it matter much if I just flip the last 6-8" or would it be better to go for more of a R/D profile and bend 'em 10-12" from the tips?

Title: Re: Putting reflex into an elm board
Post by: Pat B on August 01, 2014, 11:13:00 PM

I'd flip the last 6" - 8" of the tips first then reflex the rest of the bow about 3" or so. Elm reacts well to heat tempering and you can do that when you reflex it.
 1 3/4" might be a bit too much width. maybe
1 5/8" and reduce more if the limbs get too thin.
What weight are you shooting for?

Title: Re: Putting reflex into an elm board
Post by: takefive on August 02, 2014, 03:54:00 AM

Thanks Pat.  I'll narrow it to 1 5/8" for starters.  I'm only shooting for 45 pounds.