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Main Boards => The Bowyer's Bench => Topic started by: Bow-n-Head on December 21, 2017, 04:01:00 PM

Title: shortening a recurve bow - new build
Post by: Bow-n-Head on December 21, 2017, 04:01:00 PM

I've built several bows (62" L) off my present form. I want to shorten the bow  ( shorten the form 2" (60" bow) & shorten the riser 2". How much change, If any,will there be to the bow weight?  My take is - Shorten bow by 2" will add weight. Shorten the riser 2" ( 2" longer limb) will drop the weight. Am I correct in my thinking that it should be a "wash", With weight staying the same & no change need to the stack height? Thanx for the help??   Ray

Title: Re: shortening a recurve bow - new build
Post by: Bvas on December 21, 2017, 04:34:00 PM

Ummmm. If you shorten the riser 2” and make the limbs 2” longer don’t ya still have a 62” bow???

Title: Re: shortening a recurve bow - new build
Post by: kennym on December 21, 2017, 08:00:00 PM

I think he meant 2" longer working limb.?

I don't do much with recurves but on my D/R longbows...

shorten bow 2" >>>>>>>   +6#

Shorten riser 2" >>>>>  -2-3#

So shorten bow and riser 2" which I haven't done should gain 3-4#

Recurves are pretty sensitive to stack so the first one will be a guess...

And how much reflex will you lose using same form and taking an inch off?

I modified my 64" D/R by adding an inch more reflex , added 5# with same stack.

Title: Re: shortening a recurve bow - new build
Post by: Bow-n-Head on December 21, 2017, 08:35:00 PM

Kenny & Bvas - Thanx for the replies. I shortened the form 2".  This shortens the bow 2". I shorten the riser 2"-- This will lenghthened each working portion of the limb 1". What is net lose/gain using the same stack? I see my mistake in my original post. Kenny, are u saying my net would be about 3#?? Ray

Title: Re: shortening a recurve bow - new build
Post by: Bvas on December 21, 2017, 09:02:00 PM

Ray,
I’m not sure if we are both on the same page.
Let me see if I got this straight.
You are shortening a form  and overall length of a one piece recurve by 2”.
You are taking the 2” out of the riser and leaving the limbs as is.
If this is correct, than your working limb length will remain the same. You are simply moving your butt ends closer together. But I would say kenny’s math will still apply.

Title: Re: shortening a recurve bow - new build
Post by: Bow-n-Head on December 21, 2017, 10:44:00 PM

Brad; Yep, U R right! I now see my wrong thinking. I just needed some though-process help. Can U venture a guess at how much I need to decrease my stack so as not to increase bow weight. I want to stay  45#.  Thanx;  Ray

Title: Re: shortening a recurve bow - new build
Post by: Bvas on December 21, 2017, 10:51:00 PM

I’m a longbow guy, and really have no idea on recurve stack.  But I’m sure some recurve guys will be along to give ya some help

Title: Re: shortening a recurve bow - new build
Post by: Holm-Made on December 21, 2017, 11:06:00 PM

I’m guessing you want to reduce your stack .010-.015.  Just a guess though.   You may want to build one with cheap materials to see before investing a ton of money in fancy wood......

Title: Re: shortening a recurve bow - new build
Post by: Bow-n-Head on December 22, 2017, 10:46:00 AM

Thanx to all for the help.  This rocket science stuff some times boggles my mind.   Ray

Title: Re: shortening a recurve bow - new build
Post by: kennym on December 22, 2017, 12:08:00 PM

Chad is the recurve guy here, I only do D/Rs ,
I'd go with his suggestion.

A lot of this science is trial and error! SWAG in other words....

Title: Re: shortening a recurve bow - new build
Post by: Holm-Made on December 22, 2017, 04:13:00 PM

Build the first one with a little extra width too.  You can always narrow a bit if you are over weight.  Chad

Title: Re: shortening a recurve bow - new build
Post by: Bow-n-Head on December 22, 2017, 07:48:00 PM

Chad;  Thnx again for your professional help.  Ray