3 pc takedown longbow

[traditional1970]

I am planning to build a 3pc takedown longbow.  Do you really need a wedge in the limbs or can I just use some parallels and glass?  What effect would it have if I did it this way?

[bjansen]

You will need the area bolted down to be stiff and rigid, this is most easily accompplished by the addition of a wedge.  

If you simply used a stack with no wedge, I expect you would have too much pressure on the stack in the area where the riser would end, creating a hinge there.  Additionally, the holes drilled through the butt ends of your limbs may weaken them significantly given they are not appropriately beefed up in that area.

I would recommend you use a wedge...doesnt have to be a big thick wedge, but something at least .250 thick tapered down to a paper thin fade.  They are generally about 8" long, but will depend on your bow design.

[LittleBen]

making a wedge is the least of the problems in making a takedown.

It'll probably take you about 10 minutes. and yes they're necessary.

[jsweka]

Yeah, you'll need one.
It would be a lot of work for nothing if you didn't use one.

[Jon in North Idaho]

Necessary....  No.

Kirkll turned me on to what he calls a "double barrel limb wedge".  Great way to do it.  I've seen several 3 piece t/d with no wedge, too.

The limb bend just needs to be moved far enough away so that it does not bend at the limb pads.  Without building several or having a working knowledge of how to do it...  stick with a wedge.