limbs off center

Scott Beitzel · August 30, 2011, 09:19:00 PM

i glued up my hickery boo backed long bow and was motoring along with the tillering when i was coming up a lil heavy on the weight so beforei got to far along i had taper 10 inches from center 1.5 inches wide to 1/2 inch at tips . so i went back layed string on tip to tip then remarked it for 3/8 tips and moved my 1.5 inch width to 5 inches from center of handle sanded it down with belt sander rounded my edges and was going to put the long string on but when i happened to look down the lenght of it it seemed that one limb was off center like 1/4 to 3/8 of an inch in the mid limb area twards the tip . will it be ok or should i try to trim the limbs again and get them straight . only my second bow .

thanks,
Scott

Art B · August 31, 2011, 11:43:00 AM

What type glue/epoxy did you use for the glue-up Scott? Did that lateral crook happen because of pilot error on the sander? Got any pics? That would really help......Art

Scott Beitzel · August 31, 2011, 05:33:00 PM

will try to get a pic or two here this evening when i get to the garage and hold it down lol.

it very well could be pilot error.

mayb e it will all work out lol,

Scott

Roy from Pa · August 31, 2011, 06:01:00 PM

Won't be ok, could even get worse. I have heat treated bows like that and brought them right into a straight bow. You will be surprised at how easy they straighten out. I apply most of the heat to the belly side. Like Arty boy asked, what type of glue did ya use Scott?

Scott Beitzel · September 01, 2011, 05:36:00 AM

well to late for any good fix i got it up on the tilering tree to see what how it looked and when i got it to brace height i saw a huge hinge in the lower limb so i took it back down and resumd my adjustment to the belly wood with a razor blade trying to lighten up the limb everywhere but the hinge and it was working but then i realized that there was now way this was going to come in at my projected 45-50 so (since everyone hates a quiter) i continued on better to learn from mistakes then neverr understand how they work or what can be fixed .
i almost completed the bow and it's looking right at 37 lbs at 30 inchs the hinge is gone and tiller needs little m ore on other limb but it will look good on the wall.

thanks for all the info and mite have to try again this winter ..

Scott

Scott Beitzel · September 01, 2011, 05:37:00 AM

oh and i used titebond 3 wood glue .
Scott

SEMO_HUNTER · September 01, 2011, 06:11:00 AM

Still at that poudage it would make a great kid's bow. I would go ahead and finish it out then give it to a nephew or a neice, a cousin or even a neighborhood kid down the street and show them how to use it. Turn something negative into a positive and get a youth involved in archery.

Scott Beitzel · September 01, 2011, 09:44:00 PM

i thought about that semo . but it couldn't be a neighbor kid they tear everything apart that they get thier hands on i have to set on the porch and watch them when they are playing with my own kids in the yard . they are just that destructive or they try to get my two to do something they do need a gift i agree but it could be in the way of leather a time or two lol.
no im gonna finish it thats for sure i try to never start something i don't finish to my ability. but my nephew mite enjoy something like this .

Scott

George Tsoukalas · September 02, 2011, 07:54:00 AM

Off center string tracking has never bothered me. For the future... When starting out straight it is often due to un even wood removal. Check the limbs. Sometimes it just happens. If off to the left when the bow is in shooting position remove wood with a scraper from the right side of both limbs. Easy does it. Exercise at short pulls and test. You can leave it strung. Hinges are another matter. Jawge