Increasing longbow weight

algstick · November 25, 2016, 05:00:00 PM

I just finished my first glass laminated longbow build and I missed weight a good bit, it is a 66" asl with 7/8" setback if I cut it down to 64" or 63" how much might I gain?
It is bamboo core with .050" back and belly fiberglass and a 15 1/2" riser. 1 1/8" wide at the fades and 1/2" at the nocks. I made a mistake in ordering the core lams but just went ahead with the build. It turned out just fine but just lighter than I wanted

jess stuart · November 25, 2016, 05:38:00 PM

If you only want to gain a few pounds you can cut a half to one inch off each end of the bow, called piking. You could also possibly glue an additional piece of glass on the limbs. I have glued glass down a couple of times to raise weight and it worked out well. I just cured at a lower temperature the second time. Good luck hope you get her where you would like her to be.

Roy from Pa · November 25, 2016, 05:56:00 PM

For each inch you cut off both limb tips, you gain about 4 to 5 pounds.

mikkekeswick · November 26, 2016, 02:54:00 AM

1% of length = 5% draw weight increase.

Wolftrail · November 28, 2016, 06:37:00 PM

Piking can be tricky. Have done it a few times without any real success. Why.? after the pike I had to re tiller the bow and the weight seemed to end up at square one again. If not then it BROKE.

The old saying if she aint broke dont fix it.!

LittleBen · November 28, 2016, 07:54:00 PM

QuoteOriginally posted by Wolftrail:
Piking can be tricky. Have done it a few times without any real success. Why.? after the pike I had to re tiller the bow and the weight seemed to end up at square one again. If not then it BROKE.

The old saying if she aint broke dont fix it.!

I found the same thing with most wood bows if I'm only picking a bit. Did pike one from 72 to 58" and that sure went up in weight.

Anyway, since he's talking about a glass bow, I'd imagine he will have less retillering to do and will gain a few pounds.

algstick · November 28, 2016, 10:06:00 PM

Thanks for the input guys
I am going to finish it out and give it to my daughter or use it for a form training bow.
Gonna order more material and build another.
I learned a lot from this one and it shoots well too. It ended up a tad under 40# @ 26"
I would post a few pics if I could figure out how

algstick · November 29, 2016, 05:37:00 PM

Thanks for the input guys
I am going to finish it out and give it to my daughter or use it for a form training bow.
Gonna order more material and build another.
I learned a lot from this one and it shoots well too. It ended up a tad under 40# @ 26"
I would post a few pics if I could figure out how