I don't make 3 piece bow, but do admire the construction that goes into making one. They all seem to have one thing in common, bolted on limbs

I'm wondering if anybody has tried any wood joinery to attach limbs? Seems like a sliding dovetail with a low profile mechanical fastener might look cool and be strong enough. Something about that protruding bolt, makes it look like an afterthought.

There are a few that come to mind that uses an aluminum dovetail type receiver. Similar to a Bear Takedown. Will see if I can find pics.

Some people do a hidden bolt. Nut is in the limb  and an overlay covers where the nut is. Then the bolt comes through from the belly of the riser.

Bugs you likely already know about the two piece take-downs with the connection socket in the handle. When assembled you'd not know it was a TD without a close look.

Found it. Bob Lee Stabil Lock.

https://bobleebows.com/shop/custom-bows/ultimate-stabi-lock/

That was interesting to see, thanks Hillbilly. I wish they would haven shown a video or close up of the stabil lock ultimate version

I think I came across the Al dovetail you were talking about, Hillbilly
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I think I found the other style you were talking about.
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Quote from: Buggs on June 03, 2022, 01:28:28 PM
I don't make 3 piece bow, but do admire the construction that goes into making one. They all seem to have one thing in common, bolted on limbs

I'm wondering if anybody has tried any wood joinery to attach limbs? Seems like a sliding dovetail with a low profile mechanical fastener might look cool and be strong enough. Something about that protruding bolt, makes it look like an afterthought.

About 2 years ago I came up with a bolt less limb pocket for an aftermarket Bear riser I call my "Bare Foot" riser.  Here are some photos of the prototypes. I used a G-10 cap with a stainless steel screw.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/DX6ppAU1owAdNpK26
https://photos.app.goo.gl/jHfsEZx4BA94w4jy5

This design worked well for lower draw weight bows with no issue and I have several of them out there holding up well.......  But...... and there always seems to be a big butt out there....

I had a few heavy draw weight bows that developed a hair line crack in that top cap holding the limb. Strength wasn't a problem with the stainless steel screw holding it. I actually tapped a 1/4-20 bolt into the G-10 holding the cap. Then overlaid it.......  But I didn't want something out there that would eventually crack.

So I did a redesign on the limb pocket and incorporated a limb bolt that still excepted a standard TD Bear limb, and my own after market Bare limbs.  This assembly requires no tools after it has been set up the first time. AND.... It has a tiller adjustment capability for fine tuning your limbs.

Here is the latest version.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/scEiShF9j2gmqR139


I watched that Bob Lee video of assembling the Stable lock system and that is a complex system requiring a dense composite riser to mill that dove tail slot. It probably explains the cost of that bow too.  I would imagine it's all done with a CNC router.   Pretty wild engineering, but a pretty cool set up.

Kirk