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Main Boards => The Bowyer's Bench => Topic started by: Steven_CO on June 04, 2012, 11:54:00 AM

Title: Increasing draw weight of a recurve
Post by: Steven_CO on June 04, 2012, 11:54:00 AM
Has anyone tried to increase the draw weight of a recurve?  I'm not really looking for performance.  Just want to work up to a higher draw weight.  I just don't want to buy another bow just for that weight, just yet.

I'm thinking of adding a paracord backing like backing on some primitive bows, sort of like the view below.  No glue.  Just soak the paracord and whip it on.

(http://www.freebirdarchery.com/images/bamboo-handle.jpg)
Title: Re: Increasing draw weight of a recurve
Post by: SportHunter on June 04, 2012, 02:24:00 PM
What kind of bow do you have? You can pike selfbows: shorten them 1-2" per tip and cut new string nocks. Also you could just put another set of string nocks on it, or you could put temporary tied on nocks on the tips that effectively shorten the bow and increase draw weight. Really depends on what you have that will tell us what you can do with it.
Title: Re: Increasing draw weight of a recurve
Post by: Steven_CO on June 04, 2012, 03:34:00 PM
Sorry.  Guess I thought calling it a recurve would suffice.  It's a factory fiberglass recurve (Damon-Howatt).  I was hoping to avoid irreversible  changes to it, if possible though.

Thanks.
Title: Re: Increasing draw weight of a recurve
Post by: PEARL DRUMS on June 04, 2012, 04:20:00 PM
Leave it alone. It is what it is.
Title: Re: Increasing draw weight of a recurve
Post by: jsweka on June 04, 2012, 06:56:00 PM
QuoteOriginally posted by PEARL DRUMS:
Leave it alone. It is what it is.
I agree.  You could end up with no decent bow at all.
Title: Re: Increasing draw weight of a recurve
Post by: Steven_CO on June 04, 2012, 07:49:00 PM
Ok - thanks anyway.  I don't think there is enough taper in the limbs to do what I was thinking anyway.
Title: Re: Increasing draw weight of a recurve
Post by: inksoup on June 05, 2012, 03:37:00 AM
how about, just thinking, instead of adding the paracord, adding bicycle inner tube layer?
Title: Re: Increasing draw weight of a recurve
Post by: Steven_CO on June 05, 2012, 10:05:00 AM
That just might do it.  I'll have to see what I can scrounge to give it a try.
Title: Re: Increasing draw weight of a recurve
Post by: SportHunter on June 05, 2012, 10:55:00 PM
Howatts are great bows, leave it as is. Buy another cheap old bow in a higher weight for your workout bow. You can always sell or trade it later.
Title: Re: Increasing draw weight of a recurve
Post by: PEARL DRUMS on June 06, 2012, 11:17:00 AM
Adding an innertube will do nothing for you but ruin your bow. You cant increase your draw weight by adding a less tension strong material.