help with shop class bow build, trapping limbs

[Ben Woodring]

Need some input...I have some bows coming in heavy and want to trap the limbs.  Wide side on the belly or the back?  Any help is greatly appreciated.  Glass bows

[Jim now in Kentucky]

jmo, since glass is about equally strong in tension as compression, it ought to be wiser to just narrow the limbs. That's the longstanding method.

Some people narrow either the back or the front, but I think that is a spillover from self bow science. Wood is usually much stronger in tension.

I'm not a laminated bow builder, so take it fwiw

[Ben Woodring]

I agree with you, however at some point they are as narrow as I want them...maybe maintain some stability with trapazoid

[Bob Sarrels]

I chase weight of my longbows by trapping the belly side.  Make sure you are very consistant in the amount you remove along the full length of the limb and that you remove exactly the same amount on each limb edge.  To much in one place will cause a hinged effect, to much on one limb or other will change the tiller.  Restring and check often during the process.  Good luck , Bob

[Ben Woodring]

when you say trap the belly side are you saying make the belly narrower than the face?

[Bob Sarrels]

yes

[wingnut]

How much weight are you trying to remove.  And how thick is your belly glass?

Mike