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Main Boards => The Bowyer's Bench => Topic started by: Johan van Niekerk on August 04, 2010, 04:13:00 PM

Title: slight hinge? or lower poundage?
Post by: Johan van Niekerk on August 04, 2010, 04:13:00 PM
OK,

I finally have a bow that's shooting wll. Only problem is I still have a slight (very slight) hinge in the lower limb (quite close to the riser). Is it better to lower the overall poundage to try to remove this hinge completely? Or is it ok to leave the bow as is? (since it is spot-on in terms of desired poundage right now and shoots very well.
Basically I want to know if a slight hinge will become a bigger one later?
Oh, this is a glass lam bow  ;)
Title: Re: slight hinge? or lower poundage?
Post by: walkabout on August 04, 2010, 04:18:00 PM
overall i believe that the hinge would stress that area and take away from the longevity of the bow. you would probably be better off to work out the hinge until the limb is bending evenly, and then maybe adding another lamination to get your weight back up.
Title: Re: slight hinge? or lower poundage?
Post by: Pat B on August 04, 2010, 05:27:00 PM
The bow is only as strong as the hinge. What wood are you using? any pics?
Title: Re: slight hinge? or lower poundage?
Post by: Roy from Pa on August 04, 2010, 10:09:00 PM
A hinge is a weak spot in the limb. It will only get worse as you pull the bow more and more. Try and tiller out the hinge, even if you end up with a kids bow.
Title: Re: slight hinge? or lower poundage?
Post by: Johan van Niekerk on August 05, 2010, 03:56:00 PM
Thanks guys!

Seems I'll have to drop a few pounds.