shortening a glaslaminated LB; work in progress (pics)

[saumensch]

Hi,

i got this crazy idea:
I have a 68" 42@my30" draw LB (Arcs Millenium Mohican) taht i got pretty cheap. Its a bit weak for my liking so i thought about how i could get it to have more poundage.

Would it work to simply cut off say 1" at each end and redefine the tips and string grooves and put new tip laminations on?

Or is this idea total bull****?

Thanks alot,
Axel

[Badwithabow]

Nope that'll work just be as precise as possible to keep her balanced...

[saumensch]

Is there a rule of thumb how much #s ill gain per inch i cut off?

[eman614]

it depends on the bow's design. i cut 4 in.(2in. off each end) off a pretty heavily r/d longow and gained about 15 lbs.

[kennym]

I get about 6# gain for the first 1" on each end of a 64" d/r, after that it would have to increase as you go shorter I'm guessing.

[saumensch]

As i wont be able to use the old tip laminations (because tehy will be slightly narrower, what material should be used to make it Fast Flight compatible?

And what glue?

Thanks alot!!

[SEMO_HUNTER]

Listen to Kenny's advice and he will steer you in the right direction. I'm sure he can also help you out on the tip overlay material as well.

Most fast flite compatible bows have phenolic and I think antler and horn are also in that category.

[7 Lakes]

I have a section on installing tip and grip overlays on my website.  Go to the "Building Directions" page.  Actually I think all the pictures are of a grip overlay but the same thing applies on the tips.  Almost any truly hard wood will work fine.  Many / Most like to use Phenolic.  It's great but a bit heavy.

[kennym]

I'd use either phenolic or antler, horn would probably work as well.

Epoxy or good CA glue.

[SEMO_HUNTER]

I prefer rosewood myself and it's super hard, I can polish it on the buffing wheel to a glass like shine. I mainly use it because I have some of it on hand, once that runs out I don't know what I'll use then?

[saumensch]

Thanks alot to all!
 Now i just need to gather the courage to put a saw on to that bow.

[saumensch]

So i just started it.

Ive meassured 1" down from the tips, marked where the new string groves should be, marked the tips to come and took the saw:
   

then ive taken the old overlays off with knife and rasp:
   
   

this is how the "tips" looked:
   

Next ive glued micarta on, rasped and filed the string groves and the tips in shape and sanded it down.

[saumensch]

This is how it looks now:

Upper limp:
   
   
   

lower limb:
   
     

Tomorow i will polish it and pu the first layers of finish on. On the weekend it gets a string and ill see if this worked.

Im really curious if it will work...  

To be continued...

[kennym]

Looks good !! Only thing I would do is round the corner where the grooves come onto the belly so it is easier on the string.

Don't ask how I know this!