Reworking a long bow

[Riverrat43]

Hi. Been gone a long time. Enjoying catching up on my reading. I see several posts where folks are re-working bows. Well, the old arthritus in the drawing arm shoulder is here to stay, so I need to drop some poundage. I can do that in my compound by selling it. Now, I have a 55# Osage self bow that hurts too much to shoot. I need it to be about 40-45#'s. Can this be done? Its a nice bow, very straight with a nice clear piece of Osage. I think a guy up in North Alabama made it if I remember correctly. I don't know if it can be re-tillered or not. I'm not a builder, heck, I'm barely a shooter. Just wondering.

[Homebru]

or maybe a trade with someone?  Just a thought.
homebru

[LittleBen]

I'm sure it can be reticle red, but that should really be done by someone very experienced.

A trade is not a bad idea. There's gotta be someone with a nice 40-45# Osage bow that wants to move up in weight.

[Riverrat43]

Thanks guys. Guess I'll sell it or trade it. Might be too complicated trying to reduce the poundage.

[KellyG]

Riverrat oh it can be done and there are folks around who could help. Heck taking one down is not. Use a gizmo and get a scraper if you read about tillering on here and feel like it is something you can do.

[mikkekeswick]

KellyG - the problem with reducving the weight by reducing thickness is you lose efficency because you don't just lose poundage you also lose strain.
The way to do it and keep the bow shooting like it is doing now is simply to reduce the width. Don't touch the belly simply remove a 1/16th from each side until you get to the weight you want.
Thickness determines strain to a degree so don't alter it. Just be very careful you mark off the same amount and remove slowly with a smooth rasp or coarse file to start with and then finish with sandpaper.
Good luck.

[KellyG]

Makes since to me. But I tiller them wood bows from the belly never did one from the side. (I have narrowed  an stiff spot though)

I am fairly new to this selfbow stuff so listen to mikkekeswick.

[KellyG]

oh and PM this guy  Eric Krewson he is in your home state. 4 hours away but he might beable to help ya out (walk thru tillering).

[Riverrat43]

Thanks guys.Removing some material from the side makes sense. The bow is wide enough it could use a little trimming...like me lol.