Recurve Advice

[JGR1269]

Ok guys, I’m designing a one piece recurve based off my 16” hybrid longbow riser and the limb profile off my takedown recurves I built 20 years ago. I’m thinking I want something similar to a Black Widow PSR. I’m building a 56” bow on a 1.75” form with a piece of Stabil-Kore for stability. I have some questions on what to use for laminations. Could I use my data for stack from my takedown limbs? One parallel and one taper? What taper rate? Any help will be appreciated. Thanks

[jess stuart]

I used to use .002 tapers in all my recurves.  Through the years I have gone down to .0015 or .001 or even all parallel.  I would also suggest you use stabil core in the limb too really helps with the torsional stability especially with lighter weight bows.

[bigbob2]

my takedowns have a total of .003 taper but I also make a Grizzly repro and it runs two parallels.

[Crooked Stic]

For your stack to work on the on piece the fade to fade length will need to be the same.I am finding that No more than .001 taper works good with stable core.
And if you can design your fades so the last 3-4 inches are long and thin so they can work a bit you will get a smother bend off the fades.

[JGR1269]

I’m about finished with my 50’s style recurve form. I’ll be using a 16” riser, Bearpaw .040 glass, one parallel and one .001 taper with a strip of Stabilkore. Anybody want to throw me a number for stack thickness for a 56”, 45-50 pound bow. I’m totally taking a stab in the dark on this one.

[JGR1269]

First one off the form. Limbs are straight and tiller was even. Came in light but had to start somewhere. Now I know what I need for stack on the next one.

[Mad Max]

Looks like you have the whole limb bending
Nice job, show us more picture as you go along

[Shredd]

That looks pretty sweet...  good job...

[KenH]

How light did it come in??  Asked the guy who likes light bows.

[JGR1269]

At my 27” draw it’s around 33 pounds.

[KenH]

That's perfect!   If it's too light for you, I'd take it off your hands, as is!  Drop me a note. 

[JGR1269]

This morning I glued on another layer of glass to bring the weight up. This was just a test bow so I used some scrap I had laying around. Black Walnut for the cores and a piece of Spalted Maple for the riser. The next one will have Boo cores, veneers and a fancy riser.

[KenH]

Good job!

[ztontonz]

Looking great!

[JGR1269]

Adding a layer of glass made it pretty heavy so I just spent an hour sanding on the glass and I’m within 5-6 pounds of where I’d like it. I’m shooting for 40-42 pounds so I’ll sand some more tomorrow night and see where I end up. I’m 1 1/2” at the fadeouts and 9/16” at the tips so I’d like to keep those dimensions and not go any thinner until I’m done tillering. I may do a reverse trap on the limbs to get some of the weight off.

[JGR1269]

Ended up getting it right where I wanted it for weight. 56” 40#@ 26”. I took a few pics after final sanding. This one is getting a nice matte black stealth finish for hunting.

[ztontonz]

Looking great. Love this handle 

[Mad Max]

Yes, It really looks good