Trad Gang

Main Boards => The Bowyer's Bench => Topic started by: grouse11 on December 04, 2012, 06:59:00 PM

Title: Adding weight to Laminated bow?
Post by: grouse11 on December 04, 2012, 06:59:00 PM
I am not really sure about this but figured I would ask. I am interested in a vintage bow that is not necessarily super valuable but fairly rare which is why I want to add weight instead of buying a heavier one.

Is there any way to add draw weight to a laminated bow. Could I take the limb tips off and glue another piece of fiberglass on the back of the bow? is there some sort of backing other than sinew that would increase the weight? I would like to add at least 5 pounds if that is possibly.

Thanks in advance,
Mark C.
Title: Re: Adding weight to Laminated bow?
Post by: goobersan on December 04, 2012, 07:56:00 PM
assuming the old bow is in good shape, I think you could cut off the limb tips and make new ones. the shorter bow may then need to have the limbs retapered. I would wait for the pros to  reply  before you start cutting
Title: Re: Adding weight to Laminated bow?
Post by: grouse11 on December 04, 2012, 08:28:00 PM
The problem with cutting it shorter is that it is a herters 46" bow. Don't know if I want to make that any shorter
Title: Re: Adding weight to Laminated bow?
Post by: rainman on December 04, 2012, 09:34:00 PM
What is the weight now?  What are you wanting to hunt with it?
Title: Re: Adding weight to Laminated bow?
Post by: kennym on December 04, 2012, 09:40:00 PM
I ground some glass to .020 for somebody to do just that, I think it was Sharp Shooter. I don't know what kind of weight gain he got, but I think on a 56" recurve it would be a lot....
Title: Re: Adding weight to Laminated bow?
Post by: grouse11 on December 04, 2012, 10:47:00 PM
the weight now is 40. even if it took it up in weight anywhere from 55-60 i could make it work. Thanks for all of the help so far.
Title: Re: Adding weight to Laminated bow?
Post by: inksoup on December 05, 2012, 03:52:00 AM
well, my eucalyptus bow was not heavy enough so i made,
2 layers of fiber glass and polyester addition on both sides, belly and back.

it doubled the weight! not kidding.
Title: Re: Adding weight to Laminated bow?
Post by: GREG IN MALAD on December 05, 2012, 05:07:00 AM
I have glued an extra layer of glass to the belly side of a recurve to increase the weight. It worked really well, but I was able to put it back in the form for the glue up, I dont think I would try it with c-clamps.
Title: Re: Adding weight to Laminated bow?
Post by: 7 Lakes on December 05, 2012, 08:45:00 PM
5 lbs of glass would be so thin as to be unusable.  Wish I could help but other than cutting an inch off each end I can't think of a simple solution.