limb weight reduction?

[firsted]

Good morning, folks;  I've got a couple TD recurves that seem heavier everyday.  I'm trying to decide whether to send them to have the limb weight reduced but want to get some opinions.  Any feedback from folks that have had this done?  What do more exoerienced archers feel about buying a bow that's had this done?  Is the price of the bow affected?  Any ideas on the cost of the "procedure" (maybe my Blue Cross/Blue Shield can cover it?)  Maybe ID 2-3 shops that can do the work?  I've noticed reference to one or two shops but some feedback will help.
Thanks folks.  I appreciate any input.

[jhg]

There is a lot of info on limb weight reduction in the archives if you're interested.

Joshua

[firsted]

Thanks, Joshua, & yep, I'm interested in archives & maybe some current feedback as well.  Being a "newbie", I'm not sure what you mean by archives.  Didn't note a link to Archives and a search for Limb Weight Reduction didn't seem very successful.  So, any directions of where to go is appreciated.
Thanks again,

Eddie Paulsgrove

[jhg]

Try a search under "weight reduction" or "reducing weight".

I did one recurve and one longbow using info found here and it worked out well.
Good luck- gotta go to work!

J-

[hunt it]

Call Dr. Whip at the Bow Hospital and ask about limbosuction job.

[cacciatore]

I second bow hospital,Whip has very fair prices and a great service.

[firsted]

Thanks, guys.  "Fair prices and a great service" is too good a recommendation to pass up!  By the way, Cacciatore, where you at in Italy?  I spent a few year in Verona & Vicenza (MUCH prefered Verona).  Best years in my life.
Thanks again,

Eddie

[Orion]

If they're takedowns, you might consider trading the limbs for lighter ones, or selling them and buying lighter ones.

[firsted]

Thanks, O, and as soon as I get the 100+ posts required, I hope to see if anyone's interested in buying/trading the limbs, or maybe trading the bow itself.  I also want to see if someone has a 56" shooter they'd trade/sell me.  Guess this response counts as one more!
No, really, your suggestion seems to make more sense at this time than doing the "limbosuction" - man, that's a good one!

Eddie P.

[Doug in MN]

Whip is a good man and will take care of your needs. That is where I would send any of my bows should they need a tune up, and a refinish job.

You will get you moneys worth and then some.

DD

[Mike Byrge]

Ted Fry at Raptor Archery has done two for me and I thought the price was fair and the work was A+.

[Whip]

Jerry's suggestion of selling the limbs (or the whole bow) and buying a lighter weight set is a good one.  Not to talk myself out of potential business, but sometimes that is the best option.  Reducing weight on the existing limbs is generally going to be the more expensive route.

The times it really makes sense to think about a weight reduction are if the bow has some personal significance to you, then certainly you want to keep it.  A custom made just for you, the bow used to kill your first big game animal, or whatever.  Can't replace that.  Also, if the limbs are in bad shape and wouldn't be good sale candidates, then a reduction and refinishing may be the best choice.  

Ed did email me today, and another thing I suggested to him was to contact the bowyer to try to determine and make sure that the bow had not already been reduced.  My goal on most weight reductions is a max. of about 10% of the original weight.  If it has been reduced once already, I wouldn't advise doing it further.  The original bowyer will likely have records of what went into the bow originally for glass thickness, etc. and may add some insight on how to approach it.

As I said, I don't mean to talk people out of giving me business, but I do want to do the best thing for them.  Weight reduction is an option to consider. I think it is a good way to add new life to a bow that just doesn't get shot because it is too heavy.  But there are other things to consider as well.

And thank you everyone for the kind words!!

[firsted]

Thanks to Whip & everyone for the info.  I did follow Whip's advise and am getting the bow spec data from BW.  I've got a more full understanding now re: limb reduction & do see how it would be appropriate in certain instances.  Yep, in this case, I imagine I'll either sell/trade the limbs, the bow, or REALLY start hitting the weights (last option).
Thanks again,

Eddie P.

[cacciatore]

Eddie,you have a PM.

[mitch]

and as I found out thru whip some limbs can not be done or better left alone