Reflexing or Flipping tips Afterwards

[nlester]

Can you reflex or flip the tips on a bow that's already backed.  I actually have a hickory-backed hickory blank with no reflex or flipped tips.  Is it possible to add some reflex without causing my glued to let loose on my backing??

[Bowjunkie]

Yes.

Here is an effective method...

Turn the bow on its side and run the bandsaw down into the core wood about 10-12". Insert a 10-12" long lam, either tapered or parallel depending on the limb action you want, and add the reflex during glueup. Sawing the kerf makes that area very bendable, and since this is entirely done without heat, you don't have to worry about the backing/core glue joint delaminating.

[macbow]

Would you mind stating some pos reasons for doing this?

[Bowjunkie]

Ron, same reason we reflex or recurve any other bow... increased efficiency.

[LittleBen]

Always wanted to try this method, unfortunately I lack a bandsaw, and the balls to cut a finished bow 10" into each limb.

[Sam Harper]

If you're REALLY brave, you could use a hand saw.  :-)

[Bowjunkie]

It's one of those things that makes ya nervous until ya do it. And after you do it a few times, you won't even give it a second thought.

A test piece is a good idea. Confidence with the saw too.

It's also a good idea to have a tapered lam handy to slide into the bottom of the kerf, sideways, until it just begins to snug up, mark it and measure its thickness. That way you know the thickness of your saw's kerf... and how thick to grind the lams.

[Sam Harper]

I once glued up a fiberglass bow that came out to about 100#, which was way too  heavy.  To fix it, I put it on its side and cut it in half straight through the core with the bandsaw.  That was scary!  I figured the width of the kerf would bring the weight down significantly, and I could just glue it back up.  It actually worked.  Here's a picture:

 

And here's the rest of the story.

 http://***********.bowsite.com/TF/lw/thread2.cfm?threadid=194755&category=88

[macbow]

Now that took a pair Sam.

[LittleBen]

Hahaha, thats absolutely insane. I like your zeal Sam.

[Sam Harper]

My brother told me a few years ago, "Sometimes you gotta take risks."

[takefive]

I agree with your brother and the old saying "nothing ventured, nothing gained".  Great job of salvaging your bow.