Trad Gang

Main Boards => The Bowyer's Bench => Topic started by: Shredd on January 06, 2019, 10:53:10 AM

Title: Limb Profile Template
Post by: Shredd on January 06, 2019, 10:53:10 AM
  Hey what are you guys using for a limb profile template???  For my R/D bows the template goes from about 1 3/8" to about 3/8" which gets a little flimsy...
Title: Re: Limb Profile Template
Post by: Buemaker on January 06, 2019, 11:03:47 AM
8 mm thick steel cut out with a computer guided laser cutter. Very exact, but heavy as, well steel. Overkill allright, 6 mm would be plenty. I have two of them.
Title: Re: Limb Profile Template
Post by: Bvas on January 06, 2019, 12:49:11 PM
I haven’t got to the point where I am building the same bow repetitively.

So I cover limbs with green painters tape. Mark the lines with an aluminum rule. Then lay blue painters tape down the inside of the lines.
Title: Re: Limb Profile Template
Post by: kennym on January 06, 2019, 01:00:07 PM
I haven’t got to the point where I am building the same bow repetitively.

So I cover limbs with green painters tape. Mark the lines with an aluminum rule. Then lay blue painters tape down the inside of the lines.

LOL I haven’t built the same one twice often either. I did make a phenolic template for the TDlongbow
Title: Re: Limb Profile Template
Post by: skeaterbait on January 06, 2019, 01:33:26 PM
I would like to make a template for mine but all I have is a Ridged oscillating sander and by the time I work from one end of the template to the other it looks like ski tracks in fresh powder.
Title: Re: Limb Profile Template
Post by: Crooked Stic on January 06, 2019, 01:38:01 PM
I make a parallel from A-boo .060. Draw center line on it and mark the limb profile and grind to the line with the edge sander.
Title: Re: Limb Profile Template
Post by: arachnid on January 06, 2019, 03:07:04 PM
I have a template made of a piece of clear FG, only for the side taper
Title: Re: Limb Profile Template
Post by: Shredd on January 06, 2019, 05:24:59 PM
8 mm thick steel cut out with a computer guided laser cutter. Very exact, but heavy as, well steel. Overkill allright, 6 mm would be plenty. I have two of them.

   I like the idea of a Stainless Steel template and was thinking about going that way...   There is a machine shop around the corner from me and they have a shear...  I was possibly thinking about shearing a piece off which could be quick and easy and give you almost a perfectly straight line but I think being so narrow it may want to curl on you when cut...  Does anyone have any experience with shears??  Will this happen??

   One of the reasons I am asking is that I am thinking about going to a narrower limb and I need to make another template...  Right now I am at about 1 3/8" at the fades and thinking about going down another 1/16"...   Plus the template has to be narrower to allow for the pencil mark...
Title: Re: Limb Profile Template
Post by: Buemaker on January 06, 2019, 05:31:11 PM
I think I got it wrong. The steel templates I mention is for making bow forms. :knothead:
Title: Re: Limb Profile Template
Post by: kennym on January 06, 2019, 08:24:24 PM
How about shear  one side, and mark center line on it and flip it over for the other side of limb?  That way it wouldn't be so narrow and moveable...
Title: Re: Limb Profile Template
Post by: Crooked Stic on January 07, 2019, 03:48:53 AM
Good idea Kenny then both sides would be the same.
Title: Re: Limb Profile Template
Post by: monterey on January 08, 2019, 12:47:23 PM
How about shear  one side, and mark center line on it and flip it over for the other side of limb?  That way it wouldn't be so narrow and moveable...

Trying to figure out what you mean here.  I'm sure it's a great Idea considering the source, but I just don't get it.
Title: Re: Limb Profile Template
Post by: kennym on January 08, 2019, 12:54:30 PM
I mean using a 1.5 " wide pattern with a centerline, only shear one side to limb profile, leave the other full width to make the pattern a bit stiffer. Then have a centerline marked or drilled on pattern, line it up with bow centerline, mark one side and flip over for other side of limb.  Sorry I didn't word that completely!!  I didn't want Roy to be copying gwass bow tech... :biglaugh:
Title: Re: Limb Profile Template
Post by: Crooked Stic on January 08, 2019, 01:43:44 PM
Ha Roys still having pink bow visions  :laughing:
Title: Re: Limb Profile Template
Post by: monterey on January 08, 2019, 06:06:17 PM
Ok, now I get! 
Title: Re: Limb Profile Template
Post by: Shredd on January 08, 2019, 08:26:03 PM
That's a pretty good idea Kenny...  But I think it leaves a hair of margin for error plus it is two steps...  I have found that if the limbs are off just a little it can be a pain...  I am gonna try the shear with some stainless...

   Do you know what may work too, is a slotted template on the inside of a piece of acrylic...

   Thanks for your thoughts, Guys...
Title: Re: Limb Profile Template
Post by: JWheel on February 18, 2019, 11:30:09 AM
I know the thread is over but I just joined so....I've used vinyl siding for templates, seems to work well and its easily cut with straight edge and utility knife.
Title: Re: Limb Profile Template
Post by: monterey on February 18, 2019, 12:38:06 PM
Hey welcome to the ward! :smileystooges:

That's an interesting idea.  Gonna get some and try it soon as my neighbor goes on vacation!