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Main Boards => The Bowyer's Bench => Topic started by: Mad Max on November 19, 2020, 04:11:35 PM

Title: Belly string grooves/Recurve
Post by: Mad Max on November 19, 2020, 04:11:35 PM

This is how I get my groove on the belly of a Recurve
I put some masking tape on the belly and use some 120 grit sandpaper wrapped around a straight edge to cut the tape.
(https://i.imgur.com/r3WsJwq.jpg)

I use a 1/8" round rasp and a 5/32" chainsaw rasp
Just barely start a groove with the 1/8  and measure for center, I use the 3" line on the scale in the center of the groove and I can see it's off center a bit, I file again pushing to one side to get it centered.
(https://i.imgur.com/JBLdPe7.jpg)

I use the 5/32 just a little, not deep at all
I skip down a bit and do it again with the 1/8 and the 5/32
(https://i.imgur.com/I9FAaiq.jpg)

I connect the lines (still not to deep) and I have measured many times to make sure I going down the center.
The string groove is still to short to make it to the Y
I round over the tips <---> because they will be in the way when I bring my 2 string grooves together.
I put my string on there a mark with a pencil how far my grooves need to go. I needed a picture for that
(https://i.imgur.com/Xr0fQDA.jpg)

I file with the 1/8 rasp, up the nock groove and round it over to the belly.
I also extend the belly groove to the Y
NOW I file all the groves deeper, I like mine down into the glass some, some people say not to do it but there are many 50/60 year old bows out there still working. :thumbsup: :bigsmyl: :goldtooth:

(https://i.imgur.com/vQl8h9A.jpg)

Title: Re: Belly string grooves/Recurve
Post by: Flem on November 19, 2020, 09:38:04 PM

Nicely done Mark :thumbsup: Love seeing the how too's. I've got a 45yr old recurve that I cut into the glass on. It will outlast me I'm sure!

Title: Re: Belly string grooves/Recurve
Post by: Mad Max on November 19, 2020, 10:15:32 PM

  :thumbsup:

Title: Re: Belly string grooves/Recurve
Post by: Crooked Stic on November 19, 2020, 10:47:06 PM

That is interesting how you connect the dots so to speak. My opinion on the Y grooves is I dont file them. I feel it weakens that area . More than once I have seen recurve limbs fail and the string went right down the Y groove. Maybe with an overlay it would be okay.

Title: Re: Belly string grooves/Recurve
Post by: Mad Max on November 20, 2020, 09:15:45 AM

 :thumbsup:

Title: Re: Belly string grooves/Recurve
Post by: Roy from Pa on November 20, 2020, 09:22:22 AM

Sticky pops, he prolly puts them in there to make the string line up the limb twist:)

Title: Re: Belly string grooves/Recurve
Post by: Crooked Stic on November 21, 2020, 08:59:06 AM

 :bigsmyl:

Title: Re: Belly string grooves/Recurve
Post by: kennym on November 21, 2020, 09:40:52 AM

Very nice job Mark!