Fade profiles

Mjl834 · February 21, 2018, 12:05:00 AM

Just a quick question. I'm making my first board bow and am wondering if the upper and lower fades should have the same tapper profile. Thanks

Dazzad · February 21, 2018, 12:42:00 AM

No mate, keep things as simple as you can - no need to overcomplicate. Good luck!

mikkekeswick · February 21, 2018, 02:48:00 AM

An even blend into the working limb is all you need to do.

Eric Krewson · February 21, 2018, 09:37:00 AM

Yep, make them the same. A lot of newbies make an abrupt transition into the limbs which usually ends up with a popped off handle.

Make your transition long and graceful. You can lessen the chance of popping your handle off if you put a couple of 1/8" shims down first before you glue the bulk of your handle material down.

Mjl834 · February 21, 2018, 11:37:00 AM

Thanks for the info fellas.
Eric, in your photo, how thick is the limb after the fade?

Eric Krewson · February 21, 2018, 08:26:00 PM

The limb is 1 1/4" wide and about 1/2" thick at the fade not counting the bamboo, it is a bamboo osage bow.

This is before I did any tillering and the bow is probably in the 100# range at this point.

Mjl834 · February 21, 2018, 10:14:00 PM

Ok great, thanks. Gives me an idea as to where to start with the tillering. I'm just making an ash board bow backed with carbon fibre just because that's what I have access to.

Eric Krewson · February 22, 2018, 10:59:00 AM

I always make my limbs slightly rounded on the belly and tiller away most of the hump as I head toward the target weight.

I never checked exactly but I suspect 1/8" or so of extra rounded wood on the belly would amount to at least 20# pounds to tiller off.

This extra wood gives you some breathing room on hitting your target.