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Main Boards => The Bowyer's Bench => Topic started by: Recurveaholic on January 28, 2019, 09:50:19 PM

Title: DIY weight reduction of limbs?
Post by: Recurveaholic on January 28, 2019, 09:50:19 PM

Had anyone ever tried sanding down  their recurve limbs to reduce the poundage? Have one that draws 71# and want to reduce it so I can shoot it more than a dozen times without hurting!

Title: Re: DIY weight reduction of limbs?
Post by: macbow on January 28, 2019, 10:00:20 PM

Sanding the faces takes a long time. Depending on original thickness about 5 pound reduction is possible.

If ifyou grind off from the sides the ratio of removal vs weight loss is less. But easier than sanding the faces. This is possible if the limbs were on the wide side.

Title: Re: DIY weight reduction of limbs?
Post by: Crooked Stic on January 28, 2019, 10:31:26 PM

Extreme corner rounding can get 4-5 lbs. off but it takes awhile.

Title: Re: DIY weight reduction of limbs?
Post by: rick 3 on January 29, 2019, 08:20:50 PM

I have been wanting to reduce the draw weight of an old bow that I love to shoot but haven't been able to draw due to a shoulder injury.

So I measured out the limbs every 4", wrote down the measurements and started calculating a 15% reduction in the limb width.  Marked out the bow and went to work.  Between reducing the width, rounding the limbs and sanding the belly and back I have removed around 10lbs from the draw weight.

The key is to measure carefully and take your time.  I went from 1.75" wide in the limbs and riser (TD B ow) to just under 1.4875" total width.

After re-tillering it shoots just as good as ever and now I can shoot it again.

P.S. the 15% reduction was measured and remarked every 4" to make sure I didn't go crazy with it.

Good luck!

Title: Re: DIY weight reduction of limbs?
Post by: Recurveaholic on January 29, 2019, 09:16:31 PM

When you mentioned rounding your bow are you talking about the edges? Thank you for your detailed info!

Title: Re: DIY weight reduction of limbs?
Post by: Crooked Stic on January 29, 2019, 09:40:56 PM

Yes the glass on top and belly. you can go 45 degrees down to the veneer on each corner with 40 grit on a block or file. Be sure to file towards the center so you dont pull up splinters.

Title: Re: DIY weight reduction of limbs?
Post by: rick 3 on January 29, 2019, 10:57:03 PM

I guess I am a bit of a chicken.  I used 220 grit sandpaper and went really SLOW!!!

Title: Re: DIY weight reduction of limbs?
Post by: Bvas on January 30, 2019, 04:30:52 PM

Quote from: Crooked Stic on January 29, 2019, 09:40:56 PM

Be sure to file towards the center so you dont pull up splinters.

So your not confused......I’m pretty sure stic is saying to file towards the core lams. But you also want to make sure your stroke goes towards the limb tips.

Title: Re: DIY weight reduction of limbs?
Post by: Recurveaholic on January 30, 2019, 08:42:22 PM

Makes sense thanks!

Title: Re: DIY weight reduction of limbs?
Post by: Crooked Stic on January 30, 2019, 10:06:26 PM

Yes toward the tips,