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Main Boards => The Bowyer's Bench => Topic started by: glenbo on March 22, 2015, 01:03:00 PM

Title: What can I expect?
Post by: glenbo on March 22, 2015, 01:03:00 PM

I was wondering what the gain in draw weight I can expect from cutting one inch off each tip. I am working on an Osage self bow that is 68" in legnth and my target is 28" draw. Hoping for at least 45 lbs. right now I am at 35#. Thanks

Title: Re: What can I expect?
Post by: John Scifres on March 22, 2015, 01:54:00 PM

3# per inch is the rule of thumb.  Personally, I would not make an osage selfbow over 64" so you can probably cut 2" off each side and gain the 10# you want.  How wide is your bow?

Title: Re: What can I expect?
Post by: glenbo on March 22, 2015, 02:11:00 PM

1-3/8" to mid limb then tatering to 1/2" tips

Title: Re: What can I expect?
Post by: Pat B on March 22, 2015, 02:51:00 PM

Should be plenty of wood at 1 3/8" to do what John suggested. I make most of my osage bows about 1 3/8". If it hasn't taken too much set you could also add a bit of reflex with heat which will increase the draw weight too.

Title: Re: What can I expect?
Post by: glenbo on March 22, 2015, 07:51:00 PM

Thanks Pat, I actually had to remove reflex from this stave. It had about four and one half inches of backset to start. Brought it back to 2-1/2". I guess I will take it down to 64" or so and see what happens. This is kind of a special stave to me and I don't want to mess it up. I suppose I could apply sinew to her but I have been down that road before. One limb is sweet and the other is a lumpy twisted mess. .

Title: Re: What can I expect?
Post by: George Tsoukalas on March 22, 2015, 09:22:00 PM

glenbo, what is your draw length?
Jawge

Title: Re: What can I expect?
Post by: Pat B on March 22, 2015, 10:51:00 PM

How about a few pics.