Reducing Weight

[always89]

Well, Im thinking about taking a chance and narrowing the limbs on my sons Brackenberry. Is this a productive way of reducing the weight of the limbs? Anybody know how much I can take off? Im trying to get to around 50-55.

[Roadkill]

talk to the bowyer-not Jim but maybe Wes and see what he recommends.  I had Allen take a couple off my Liberty due toa shoulder injusry.

[myshootinstinks]

I'd talk to Rich Lopez. Contact him through his website   www.droptinetraditions.com   He can reduce weight on the limbs or is always willing to offer advice if you want to try it yourself.

[Bill Turner]

It can be done. The real question is are you skilled enough to do it or should you leave it to a professional bowyer? Jim Belcher (Belcher Bows)is currently reducing weight on one of my long bows. Total cost, including refinishing, will be in the neighborhood of $150. For me, it was worth the money to let a professional do the job.    

[Bill Howland]

Jerry,

First off, what is the bow weight now? I see in my saved emails you asked me what a new set of limbs would cost but not reducing the weight. But you never said what your current limbs weigh.

1/8" usually equals 5 pounds. So if you reduce equally on each side 1/16" you will drop about 5#'s. But the real trick is then straightening the limbs. Because your not going to be about to remove exactly 1/16" off each side of both limbs. Then you'll also need to retiller the limbs. There you'll need to remove a slight amount off the strong limb to bring the tiller in. I would recommend you slightly trap the strong limb until you get a 1/8" to 3/16" tiller.

So if the limbs are say 65# @ 28" you'll need to reduce the limb width by a full 1/4" off the sides. I DO NOT RECOMMEND REMOVING THE GLASS. And that will get you down to around 55#'s. But you'll also have a 1-5/8" limb width. And since you're starting at 1-7/8" wide limb at the end of the riser then tapers gradually to approx 5/8" at the base of the nocks. The job is going to be exciting. On a set of 66" limbs you'll have 22-3/4" to do a straight taper. Which I don't believe you'll reduce the limb weight enough to get it down to where you want it.

Or you can do what Roadkill suggests: Not Jim because he's a little busy, but Wes Wallace. I understand he likes to build extra limbs for Brackenbury Bows. And I think I heard around $350.

[always89]

Thanks Folks

Bill,
The limbs as of now are 60@27. I also have a set of 65@27. I would like to keep the 60# limbs for when he gets older.

When you say do npt remove the glass, are you saying reduce from the sides?

[always89]

Bill,
No sir, I did not ask about limb reduction in that email. I didnt even think about this possibility until later. I do appreciate your quick response to that email though!

[always89]

Bill,
No sir, I did not ask about limb reduction in that email. I didnt even think about this possibility until later. I do appreciate your quick response to that email though!

[Bill Howland]

Jerry,
"When you say do not remove the glass, are you saying reduce from the sides?"

Yes, sir! From the sides. You'll need to thin the limbs. Side to side. Some folks like to sand the back and belly glass. I don't! As a rule. But if you have to .001" of glass equals 1lb. But you don't want to go below .030" total thickness on the belly side. So I guess you could remove .010" which would equal approx 10 lbs. But you have to be EXTREMELY careful doing so! I would not remove any back glass at all.

Basically you will have to do both to get the limbs down to the weight you want. You'll need to thin the limbs side to side and remove a little glass off the belly of the limbs.

Anyway you're looking at a lot of work! Could be fun if you like to do this stuff. Or if you think it is over your head...Don't do it! Basically reducing weight on a recurve is easy, BUT doing it right, not hurting the performance of the bow. IS HARD.

[Greyfox54]

I have been laid up for awhile and have packed on a little suet and  I thought this was a diet post , sorry , Fred