Hey Guys and Gals
Anyone know where someone would purchase a connexion hinge?
I have another GreatNorthern Ghost on the way and would really like to convert one of them to a takedown. I'm sold on the Robertson hinge system but I don't see them on their site.
If anyone has one or can lead me in the right direction it would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Mo
Call or email them and ask about it. I don't htink they quit selling them.
Kustomking might have them
Call them , that how I got mind . It's about 100.00 tyd
Could I add a question? Can most any one piece longbow be converted to a two piece? And if so, can you use either a connexion hinge or a bow bolt?
I have installed the connexion hinge on 2 HH longbows, and it was a pretty easy process. That being said, there are a lot of longbows that do not have the right shape or mass in the riser, so would not make a good retrofit. What I have read about the bowbolt indicates it is generally not a good idea to try to retrofit - too many things that can go wrong.
Here are a couple of pics of my Redman from a blank.
(http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm93/glskinner/Hill%20Redman%20blank/014.jpg)
(http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm93/glskinner/Hill%20Redman%20blank/032.jpg)
Thanks for the input guys.
I'm waiting on a reply from Robertson bows.Probably should have emailed them first place.
Greg I'm curious on what material you used on the two mating surfaces to take up the space of the saw kerf?
Thanks Mo
I would think the Toughest Decision would be to make that Commitment to Cut that Fine Bow in Half!! :scared: :scared: ! They Look Great though!! :thumbsup: :clapper:
Got word back from Robertson Bows
Looks like they're out off stock and can't supply till at least February.
If anyone has one they're not using,I would be more than happy to take it off your hands.
Any other suggestions?
Thanks guys
Mo
unless you are very skilled in the fine arts of advanced woodworking, and have a lot of faith in the lord, i wouldn't recommend cutting a perfectly good bow in half.... 02 cents worth.... kirk
QuoteOriginally posted by Kirkll:
unless you are very skilled in the fine arts of advanced woodworking, and have a lot of faith in the lord, i wouldn't recommend cutting a perfectly good bow in half.... 02 cents worth.... kirk
Agree completely.
Thanks for your concern guys but I think I have the necessary ability to complete this task at hand.
I've been an journeyman carpenter/cabinet maker/furniture builder most of my adult life so I think the conversion shouldn't be that big a deal.
But on the flip side maybe I have a deep hidden fear.
Could be why I waited till I found a back-up bow with the exact same specs.... just in case lol.
To get back to the hinge, Kustom King hasn't been able to supply since last year. Any other suggestions?
Mo
Call great northern bows and ask him
Or call big Jim and ask him bout his sleeve method of a two peice bow
BigJim doesn't suggest cutting a finished bow in half to do takedown. It would probably be ok with the hinge, but I fimly believe that TD bows should be reinforced in the riser to be a TD.
Most one piece bows just don't have the extra reinforcement.
BigJim
Is there a shop that could make one for you? I know a machinist of two that could pull it off with just a picture of one!
I'm not saying I would personally have the kahunas to cut a long bow into two pieces, but there are some talented people working with metals too available. Just a thought...
The problem with cutting a finished bow in half is getting it to line back up exactly under string tension again. i don't care how perfect those hinges are, ten thousandths difference can bring your limbs out of alignment enough to end up with limb twist out of the deal......
good luck with your project.... you got larger conjones than i brutha...Typically two piece bow connections are done prior to limb profiling.
Just my 2 cents, but sell the bow and buy a Mohawk Sparrowhawk!
never mind I see where the ghost is a recurve
The real advantage of the connexion hinge is that it is all epoxied and screwed into place before cutting in half, so there is not a problem with re-alignment afterwards. At least with the HH bow blanks I used the tiller was not affected at all; possibly straight-end HH style bows are not as finicky about such things, or else I can't shoot well enough to detect any difference, but the Redman I showed the pic of is one of my very best shooting bows.
I used a couple of thicknesses of fiber glass to fill in the kerf space.
I hope the unavailability is just a temporary thing, because the hinge is one of the best take down systems for a long bow, and it is definitely the only one I would use for a retrofit.
Thats two good people that make em for a living that say its not ideal I think I would go with what they say
My only complaint with the connexion hinge that I tried on a borrowed Mohawk Sparrowhawk is that when it is unstrung, if you turn it belly up it falls apart. Having said that, I'm still seriously considering ordering a Sparrowhawk 2-piece in a 68".
I have a Big Jim 64" Buffalo sleeved 2-piece that comes apart just as easily, but only when I want it to. I have to say I like that a bit better.
Thanks for all the input fellas
No doubt there are preferred takedown systems out there.
Metal and glass/carbon sleeves are great,but not as a retrofit.
GreatNorthern's jackknife hinge system works awesome, I have it on my bushbow and love it. Folds up,doesn't come apart,nice and compact.
But on the Ghost the recurve tips clash when folded,causes it not to fold up so nice and compact.
As Ron pointed out,with the Robertson connexion hinge,when unstrung, it falls apart in two separate pieces, that then can nestle nicely together in a tight little package.
My plans are to do a lot more long distance hunting trips in the years coming and takedowns just make more sense. Wrapped your bow up in your clothes, tuck away in your duffel bag and your good to go.
I thought about going the custom machine route but honestly ,the Robertson hinge has a great track record for durability, so why try to build a better mousetrap.
I've been in touch with a few bowers who use the connexion system on their products to see if they had any extra stock but they seem to be in the boat,manufacture stopped producing for now. Hopefully a new supplier will be found in the near future.
In the meanwhile, I guess I'll just have to hurry up and wait...
Mo
I'd probably buy a take-down, instead. The only way I'd try turning a one-piece into a take-down would be if I had a bow that I wouldn't mind destroying unintentionally.
If you get desperate, I just listed one for sale. Of course, you would also have to take the bow that is attached to it! :)
Very nice bow Dave. And priced right too.
If it was a straight grip we might be talking.
All the best with your sale.
Sent you a PM, momo-t.
Thier not hard to do and they work great . At Denton hills a few years ago someone was selling them for $35 he said he was the orginal maker. I bought 2, wished I had bought more .He was on the blanket swap. Maybe someone knows him??
This might be one of those instances where if you find something you like you should buy several, because they might not be available next time you want one. Is that a corollary to Murphy's law?
Mike PM answered.
Greg I think your right!
Mo
Maybe I'm a bad craftsman, but here's what happened to my MOAB.
The leftover material in the riser, after cutting the half-moon for the hinge, did not have the strength in the belly to handle the compression.
The screw holes were aligned with the grain of the bocote, which created a weak zone. Bocote is a soft wood anyway.
I tried to recess the hinge, which took away valuable laminations in the back to handle the stress.
It turns out that the bow's grip had been built up with fiberglass, the thickness of which I did not see until after I had cut the bow in two. So there wasn't enough wood to handle the stress.
It just was not meant to happen and I lost an expensive beautiful bow. Bows and hacksaws are a bad combination, at least for me.
You can chalk it up to my bad craftsmanship, but I thought I had followed the instructions to the letter. Others obviously have done fine with theirs, but be prepared.
And, after all that, I have since purchased other 2 pc bows made during construction by the bowyer, only to realize that I don't use the take down very much anyway. I just keep it strung and use a tube for transport.
Bows have a LOT of stress at full draw!! My hat off to any successful bowyers or hinge installers!
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v309/dstzn/00small21966486.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v309/dstzn/00small24774669.jpg)
Doug that's gotta be a hard way to learn a lesson. ouch!
I'm sure your installation was spot on but by the photo I see a few points on why the project failed.
Insufficient material looks like the major culprit.
Also one solid piece handles do not have the strength of a laminated riser.
This is a fine example why you should check and double check all aspects before attempting such an endeavor.
'Cutting your bow in half should never be taken lightly'.
With that said, I managed to secure a hinge and hopefully will have a 2 piece [functional] ghost in the very near future.
Now to figure out which one do I do ???
Mo
I think the overall shape and mass of the riser makes a difference in the success of the operation. Also, some riser woods are denser and less likely to split under stress. Both of the HH blanks I fitted with the hinge were cocobolo risers, for whatever that is worth. My hands are not very big and I don't like huge risers but with the straight grip I was able to shape it down to the size I like.
Mo, if you have any questions that I could help with, don't hesitate to e-mail me or call.