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Main Boards => The Bowyer's Bench => Topic started by: pigops on January 07, 2019, 05:10:32 PM

Title: Tips for Limb Tapering
Post by: pigops on January 07, 2019, 05:10:32 PM
I can't figure out how to search this topic to find what I'm looking for. How do you guys consistently taper your limbs from the fade to the tip? Are any of you using a template? Or do you just draw a line and use an edge sander? If you grind to a line, do you have any tips for consistent width from your center line?

Thanks!
Title: Re: Tips for Limb Tapering
Post by: Forwardhandle on January 07, 2019, 05:18:05 PM
If you look toward the end of this build there is a good explanation

https://www.kennysarchery.com/bow-build/
Title: Re: Tips for Limb Tapering
Post by: Pat B on January 07, 2019, 05:52:13 PM
On my selfbows I mark a center line lengthwise and mark over on both sides of that line every 4" to 6" out the limbs.
Title: Re: Tips for Limb Tapering
Post by: Bowjunkie on January 07, 2019, 06:36:57 PM
What kind of bow are you talking about? My methods differ considerably depending on what type of bow I'm making.
Title: Re: Tips for Limb Tapering
Post by: pigops on January 07, 2019, 09:44:56 PM
What kind of bow are you talking about? My methods differ considerably depending on what type of bow I'm making.

Good point. Im building glass r/d longbows.
Title: Re: Tips for Limb Tapering
Post by: Roy from Pa on January 08, 2019, 05:46:25 AM
Read the link that forwardhandle posted above.

If you look toward the end of this build there is a good explanation

https://www.kennysarchery.com/bow-build/
Title: Re: Tips for Limb Tapering
Post by: pigops on January 08, 2019, 09:27:14 AM
I've read through that before. It is good info but unfortunately the pics that coincide with the instructions I need will not load. I've tried a couple of browsers and it didn't change. Anyone else having this issue?

So I take it that the majority of you just make a line and grind to it. That's what I was kinda thinking.
Title: Re: Tips for Limb Tapering
Post by: Bvas on January 08, 2019, 12:33:20 PM
So I take it that the majority of you just make a line and grind to it. That's what I was kinda thinking.

Yes. But I use green painters tape to cover limb and layout lines. Then I put blue painter tape on the lines to the inside(unground portion). This makes it much easier to keep and follow the line when the dust starts flying.
Title: Re: Tips for Limb Tapering
Post by: Crooked Stic on January 08, 2019, 01:50:00 PM
I run mine thru the drum sander so the sides are parallel first. then the center line usaly pretty easy to ge right. then a template.
Title: Re: Tips for Limb Tapering
Post by: pigops on January 08, 2019, 02:29:18 PM
I run mine thru the drum sander so the sides are parallel first. then the center line usaly pretty easy to ge right. then a template.

Is your template a grinding guide or just to layout the profile?
Title: Re: Tips for Limb Tapering
Post by: Crooked Stic on January 08, 2019, 06:23:35 PM
My longbows are 1 3/8. and the template tapers about an inch past the fade to the tip 1/2 at the nocks. for marking only.
Title: Re: Tips for Limb Tapering
Post by: Forwardhandle on January 08, 2019, 06:36:06 PM
I just clean mine up with the edge belt sander and mark them like Cstick but just use a strait edge & precession marks  & then grind close to the lines and use sanding sticks to get to the lines, doing the final by hand always gets smooth even taper for me !
Title: Re: Tips for Limb Tapering
Post by: Tim Finley on January 08, 2019, 07:35:29 PM
You should mark them before glue up much more accurate then trying to draw over a curved limb .
Title: Re: Tips for Limb Tapering
Post by: Crittergetter on January 08, 2019, 08:45:31 PM
I like to run mine through the sander and get them nice and parallel then find center. I then layout the profile with a template but instead of a pencil or marker I use a razor blade. Then I peel the outside tape off and cut close with a bandsaw. Then grind with the edge sander. It’s much easier to follow the clean tape edge than a mark. IMO