having trouble tuning my recurve.  It is a short bow 53 inches shelf is small.  I like elevated rest but i cannot get one to stay, therefore i need to build it up to emulate a elevated rest any suggestions

Have you tried canting the bow more?  This allows the small shelf to form a "V" to cradle the arrow.  If that doesn't work and you have some simple woodworking skills you can add a new piece of wood to make the shelf deeper.  Other than that I'm curious why you can't get an elevated rest to stick.  Did you clean the area thoroughly with alcohol before applying the rest?  Back when I used elevated rests I never had on come off until I was ready to remove it.

John

24 hour epoxy and a bear weather rest should work.

The key to getting these rest to satay on is cleaning the area you want to put the rest. I use goo be gone and then alcohol.

A rest doesn't work well with a dirty or uneven surface.If the surface is too uneven,the thick foam like double sided 3M tape will work wonders.