cutting the shelf (rest)

[vth0kie12]

i am getting ready to cut the shelf my first bow and was wondering if i put it at the center or do i need to raise it up about and 1/8" or so

[Brent Hill]

Center of the bow from tip to tip or from the right and left side of the bow?  The few board bows that I've made, I cut the rest about 1 1/4 above the center point from tip to tip (center point is where the web of my hand meets the bow) and no where close to the center cut on the bow.  I apologize if I'm confused.  Good luck and wait for some more experienced boyers to chime in.

[vth0kie12]

i didn't make myself very clear sorry about that. i was looking for the height above center tip to tip. so you want the web of your hand in the center of the bow and the shelf 1 1/4" above center.  i think i read somewhere that you don't want to come any close than an 1/8" to the center of the bow (side to side). thanks for the help.

[Apex Predator]

It really depends on how you layed out the bow to start with.  Did you center the handle, or offset it?  How long is your handle?  What kind of bow?  Selfbow (made from singe stave with no backing), all wood laminated, or fiberglass laminated?

[ALW]

I go about 1 1/4"-1 1/2" above the center of the bow, NTN, for my rest.  But it depends on the bow design and the grip design.  There is a thread on here somewhere (not too old) that discusses it.  Art B has some good insight on where to put the rest on a self bow.

Aaron

[Harperclan7]

I just had the same question yesterday and I came to the same conclusion that you did. 1 1/2" above center on the bow and no closer than an 1/8" to the horizontal center if that makes sense.

[Loren Holland]

why no closer than 1/8th to center (in width)i have cut mine from 1/8th away, at center and even 1/16th past. I get to shoot the same arrows, and if you layout the handle wide enough to begin with you can do it safely. of course thats an opinion, and everybody has on right


ofcourse if i am doing something wrong,tell me

[Jason Scott]

First, I guess it's a safety thing. If the bow can handle the weight then going to or past center is not a problem unless you are going to shoot it in competition that doesn't allow that much centershot. I don't go thinner than 13/16" wide at the sight window wood for a bow over 55# but my risers are only about 1 3/4" or so deep at that spot. Laminated risers add strength enough to achieve going thinner I think. I've heard bad stories of solid woods like walnut risers going too thin in areas.