Retrofitting a one piece into a two piece system opinions

[elk ninja]

I am thinking about making my one piece Centaur into a two piece traveling bow... and I need you opinions please!

She shoots like a dream, and she is my first custom bow I ordered from someone else, it'd be a shame to get rid of her.  

What else is out there besides the bow bolt that is a retrofit type system?  The riser is really dense cocobollo, the weight is 60# at my 26" draw length, 58" overall...

I'd like to be able to do it myself, I have access to just about any tool I'd need, as well as enough experience to be comfortable doing it.  But I am not opposed to sending it out either, as I know that journeymen like myself are journeymen, and craftsmen are craftsmen....

The only real complication is the stippling and the carved elk horn in the handle.  A strip of phenolic crossing the grip would be fine, I can carve it to match.

Any ideas?

The handle:
 

[Bjorn]

That is a pretty nice bow to put at risk. If you love the bow leave it alone and 60# is a lot of pressure in retrofit mode. Ask Jim what he thinks and if he would have built the riser differently if he were building it as a 2 pc/TD.
I did that to a self bow and have some experience.
 
You asked for opinions. Whatever you decide I hope it works out for you.

[4dogs]

You really need to talk to Jim, I wouldnt do anything to that bow, at least not till you talk to him. I dont think he is even doing a two piece any more.

[JParanee]

Don't do it

[SportHunter]

I'd leave that bow in one piece and get a new or used takedown.

[fireball31]

If your dead set on a traveler bow, I would sell it and buy a good one.

[GRINCH]

I'd contact the bowyer fist to see if it can be done don't ruin a good bow.

[BigJim]

Don't do it! That bow was not built to be a two piece. The riser will go through different stress's as a two piece.
There is no reinforcement in the riser and the bow bolt will make the grip explode from the inside out.
Even on my socket systems, I reinforce all two piece risers for added security. You may be able to install a hinge, but it being a 60lb bow would give me great concerns.
bigjim

[Gator1]

I'd definately listen to the bowyers, and call Jim at centaur...

It sounds too risky for such a beautiful bow to have fail...

[Bill Carlsen]

Craig Warren, who invented the bow bolt, declined to retrofit a longbow I had. He said that getting the proper specs on an already sculpted handle were nearly impossible and that the handle/riser needs to be built solidly in order to accept the bolt and not put the bow at risk if if had a weak spot. I wouldn't do it. Have a new bow made to the same specs from scratch in a take down model.

[ron w]

If you had an old beater I might try a connection hinge, but on a bow like that I would take a chance of ruining it or getting hurt when it failed.

[Jeff Strubberg]

I did it with a connexion hinge, regretted the heck out of it (it completely changed the feel of the bow) and eventually lost the bow when one of the screw holes split.

I wouldn't try it again.

[Greg Skinner]

I have successfully installed the connexion hinge on 2 different HH blanks in the process of finishing them.  However, I would hesitate to try modifying an already finished bow.  If that Centaur were mine there is no way I would attempt to cut it in 2.  Keep it as a 1-piece and get yourself a new take-down - there are many great options available.

[Cyclic-Rivers]

buy a a take down save the grief.

[Bobby Urban]

I did a Connextion hinge on a Great Northern and love it but that bow handle/riser is a bit nice for messing around.  I will agree with the sentiments above and suggest keeping an eye on the classifieds to find a nice used take down bow.

[Shakes.602]

Actually, call Me "Chicken"  :D   but I believe I would send "My Baby" off to a Pro to Hack in Half    , I couldnt stand to do it, or SEE it done Myself!!  

[V I Archer]

never shot a Centaur myself, but based on looks alone that is far too pretty of a riser to hack in half.  I will gladly trade you for a hickory stick that you can retrofit if you feel the need to do so.  Please, Please, Please do not cut that bow in half!