First Bow Build

[Woolenclad]

Hello,

I am a ways into my first laminated recurve build and was foolish enough to try a 3 piece (due to space issues for the oven). It has been a great learning experience, although not a cheap one. My form and limbs turned out awesome but It is looking like this one might be a paperweight. I think I have limb alignment issues, and I know I have big twist issues. It also seems the string is not tracking through the center of the riser.

I tried to align the limb templates using a centering tool I made that hooks on the ends of the limbs with a cable strung in between. I adjusted the ends of the jig until the limbs tracked straight, then I marked a center line and placed my limb shape template. I think this may have been part of the problem, as I aligned the template from the center of my jig to the center line on my riser.

I am thinking about trying again but maybe from scratch with a one piece.

Here is my question... on my second attempt would I be better to try and use my jig again or is using a laser to mark center and correcting for any twist due to limb inequalities later a better plan?

Thanks guys

[kennym]

If your form is good and square side to face and you have probs with limb twist , check the limb pads to be sure they are square with side of riser. If not you have built in twist.

[Woolenclad]

Thank you Kenny,

I have checked the form and pads with a square and they seemed true to me. I think you are correct that I have built in twist as I did find that one of my limb bolts is not 90* to the riser. I bet this is the problem. I don't imagine anyone has a fix for this when the limb anchor is epoxied into the riser? Paperweight?

I think my issues could also be compounded by poor alignment of the limb template? I felt while I was doing it that this step lacked precision and lining up pencil lines didn't seem precise enough to me. What is the most accepted method for getting everything in line? Laser?

I was very careful during this build and double-triple-checked everything (almost) with and eye for precision... Too bad you only get one chance with the drilling.

I have seen some build-a-longs on here and maybe I will do that for my next one. The guys here seem super helpful in overcoming problems and everyone seems to enjoy watching the progress.

[Crooked Stic]

First off your limbs and riser need to be the same width. what are you drilling your holes with. Jig? you can mark center with a square. Again every thing must be the same width. Just move your sliding square in or out off of each side until your lines meet in the center. as Kenny said your limb pads need to be on the same plane. Once you get all that good then get the string tracking by working the string grooves to bring it to center. So leaving your limb profile a little wide to start. Most times working off a center line and provided  you lams are a good grind things will fall right in place.

[kennym]

I saw someone clamp the bow in a vise and lay an arrow square across limb at bolt and another at mid limb also square across. Then look to see if they are lined up.

[Woolenclad]

Thanks guys. This is great info. Can you recommend a good pattern for a one piece recurve? I was using a binghams for my three piece attempt. I would like to end up with a good shootable bow if I have success on number two.

[kennym]

you might try Jim at buildyourownbow.com (or something like that) if you have to have a recurve.

I'm stuck on D/R longbows, quiet , same speed as a lot of curves, and I can stick it in my boot when on stand!! LOL