This may be a foolish question but I will ask anyways. When you make a modern three piece takedown recurve are the limbs different as in one is the upper limb and one is the lower limb and they shouldn't be mixed up? The reason I ask is that I have had custom takedowns where the limbs were marked upper and lower and I have also seen some where they were not marked and could be interchagned.

I am guessing a bow with an even tiller is the one that the limbs can be used in either. Am I close?

I'd say if interchangeable, it would HAVE to be even tiller so it would shoot right.

Also, the limb alignment for smalltime bowyers that build one at a time would be a prob,

you would have to have some precise equipment to get the limb to bolt on and line up.

Not a prob for guys with CNC and such, but a real headache for me!!

For most folks, it is just pick the weaker limb for top , I would venture to say.

I agree with Kenny on that one.  You'd prolly notice a good bit of limb twist and alignment problem if you got them backwards on one that I make.  I know a lot of guys make the tips different,which I dont care for because I love symmetry.  

I have done two alignment pins on one limb or offset one alignment pin when I used two on each so I didnt have to make the tips different or mark them (which could fade or get rubbed off).

Dave

Okay guys I just aquired a Big Horn takedown recurve and the limbs are not marked upper or lower and look the same to me. How can I tell which one goes on top and which one goes on bottom? If I get it wrong will it damage anything?

Allright I answered my own question just like Dave stated above the allignmnet pins on each limb are set in such a way that you have to have the correct limb to make it fit.

I have one other question for you guys. On my new Big Horn the bolts just screw into the limbs and there is no washer or anything between it and the limb. Should I put in a cork or nylon washer so that the bolt bdoes not contact the limb directly or leave it as is?

I would, the nylon washers work great. Also you need a piece of cork between the limb and riser. Normally the bottom limb is the stiffer of the two. My opinion. Tony

I like to use leather between the bolt and limb.also on the upper and lower limbs the bow spec. will be on the lower limb and some bows the bottom limb is shorter by up-to an inch.

QuoteOriginally posted by woodslinger:
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I have one other question for you guys. On my new Big Horn the bolts just screw into the limbs and there is no washer or anything between it and the limb. Should I put in a cork or nylon washer so that the bolt bdoes not contact the limb directly or leave it as is?

The Bighorn that I had, had washers under the bolts.  I would think that yours should have some too.  JMHO

Some folks are using phenolic and countersinking the bolts into it instead of bezels, or so I have read....

I feel really foolish. The bow came with two sets of limbs and I didn't even notice that the bushing and bezel for the limb bolts were on the second set of limbs, which was still in the case. I took them off the light limbs and put them on the heavy limbs and all is well. Next time I will look at everything first.