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Main Boards => The Bowyer's Bench => Topic started by: Doods70 on December 31, 2015, 09:57:00 PM

Title: Bamboo Bow too stiff
Post by: Doods70 on December 31, 2015, 09:57:00 PM: Greetings everyone and Happy New Year! I built a bamboo bow 3 years ago and decided to start using it. I put it away for the ff reason and now, I hope to deal with it.

It bends through the handle, hope that's ok? And, it is very stiff. Not stacking but stiff all through the pull. I probably short draw it a couple of inches because it is so stiff. BUT, I can shoot groups with it with 10 meters.

Is there a way to "soften" the pull? can I make it thinner but it will probably affect the draw weight? Should I reflex the limbs to make it "snappier". All help will be appreciated.

Thank you!
Title: Re: Bamboo Bow too stiff
Post by: macbow on December 31, 2015, 10:33:00 PM: Is it all bamboo?
Can you post a picture?
Title: Re: Bamboo Bow too stiff
Post by: Pat B on December 31, 2015, 10:50:00 PM: The stiffness of the draw is draw weight. If you soften the draw the weight goes down.
Title: Re: Bamboo Bow too stiff
Post by: Doods70 on January 01, 2016, 01:04:00 AM: Thank you for your response. I have photos, I just wish I knew how to post them here.
Title: Re: Bamboo Bow too stiff
Post by: Doods70 on January 01, 2016, 01:16:00 AM: Posted the photos here.

https://www.facebook.com/doods.tanabe/posts/10153487904108495

Hope to hear from you all. Happy New Year.
Title: Re: Bamboo Bow too stiff
Post by: Doods70 on January 01, 2016, 01:42:00 AM: It does not cast the arrow very well. Speed is slow (don't have a chrony) and my youth bow 25 lbs has more penetration at 15 meters. This bamboo is heavy and stiff at 45 lbs.

Confused how to correct it. It doesn't "act like a spring".
Title: Re: Bamboo Bow too stiff
Post by: Pat B on January 01, 2016, 09:51:00 AM: The last 8" of the tips could be narrowed to 3/8" or less. That will help to increase speed.
If the bow is only boo back you could reduce the belly to reduce the weight. Narrowing the whole bow might help too. Besides boo what other
wood(s) are the bow made of?
Can we see a full draw pic too and an unbraced pic?
Title: Re: Bamboo Bow too stiff
Post by: Roy from Pa on January 01, 2016, 10:21:00 AM: It looks like all bamboo... The belly looks to be boo anyway.
Title: Re: Bamboo Bow too stiff
Post by: wood carver 2 on January 01, 2016, 10:30:00 AM: If it is, you will have to tiller it by removing material from the edges. A furniture scraper works really well for this.
Dave.
Title: Re: Bamboo Bow too stiff
Post by: wood carver 2 on January 01, 2016, 10:32:00 AM: I forgot to mention, after removing material, round off the edges before you bend the bow. If you don't, it could easily lift a splinter.
Dave.