Limb Profile Template

[Shredd]

  Hey what are you guys using for a limb profile template???  For my R/D bows the template goes from about 1 3/8" to about 3/8" which gets a little flimsy...

[Buemaker]

8 mm thick steel cut out with a computer guided laser cutter. Very exact, but heavy as, well steel. Overkill allright, 6 mm would be plenty. I have two of them.

[Bvas]

I haven't got to the point where I am building the same bow repetitively.

So I cover limbs with green painters tape. Mark the lines with an aluminum rule. Then lay blue painters tape down the inside of the lines.

[kennym]

I haven't got to the point where I am building the same bow repetitively.

So I cover limbs with green painters tape. Mark the lines with an aluminum rule. Then lay blue painters tape down the inside of the lines.

LOL I haven't built the same one twice often either. I did make a phenolic template for the TDlongbow

[skeaterbait]

I would like to make a template for mine but all I have is a Ridged oscillating sander and by the time I work from one end of the template to the other it looks like ski tracks in fresh powder.

[Crooked Stic]

I make a parallel from A-boo .060. Draw center line on it and mark the limb profile and grind to the line with the edge sander.

[arachnid]

I have a template made of a piece of clear FG, only for the side taper

[Shredd]

8 mm thick steel cut out with a computer guided laser cutter. Very exact, but heavy as, well steel. Overkill allright, 6 mm would be plenty. I have two of them.

   I like the idea of a Stainless Steel template and was thinking about going that way...   There is a machine shop around the corner from me and they have a shear...  I was possibly thinking about shearing a piece off which could be quick and easy and give you almost a perfectly straight line but I think being so narrow it may want to curl on you when cut...  Does anyone have any experience with shears??  Will this happen??

   One of the reasons I am asking is that I am thinking about going to a narrower limb and I need to make another template...  Right now I am at about 1 3/8" at the fades and thinking about going down another 1/16"...   Plus the template has to be narrower to allow for the pencil mark...

[Buemaker]

I think I got it wrong. The steel templates I mention is for making bow forms.

[kennym]

How about shear  one side, and mark center line on it and flip it over for the other side of limb?  That way it wouldn't be so narrow and moveable...

[Crooked Stic]

Good idea Kenny then both sides would be the same.

[monterey]

How about shear  one side, and mark center line on it and flip it over for the other side of limb?  That way it wouldn't be so narrow and moveable...

Trying to figure out what you mean here.  I'm sure it's a great Idea considering the source, but I just don't get it.

[kennym]

I mean using a 1.5 " wide pattern with a centerline, only shear one side to limb profile, leave the other full width to make the pattern a bit stiffer. Then have a centerline marked or drilled on pattern, line it up with bow centerline, mark one side and flip over for other side of limb.  Sorry I didn't word that completely!!  I didn't want Roy to be copying gwass bow tech...

[Crooked Stic]

Ha Roys still having pink bow visions 

[monterey]

Ok, now I get! 

[Shredd]

That's a pretty good idea Kenny...  But I think it leaves a hair of margin for error plus it is two steps...  I have found that if the limbs are off just a little it can be a pain...  I am gonna try the shear with some stainless...

   Do you know what may work too, is a slotted template on the inside of a piece of acrylic...

   Thanks for your thoughts, Guys...

[JWheel]

I know the thread is over but I just joined so....I've used vinyl siding for templates, seems to work well and its easily cut with straight edge and utility knife.

[monterey]

Hey welcome to the ward!

That's an interesting idea.  Gonna get some and try it soon as my neighbor goes on vacation!