Question about bow bolt system

[duck'n]

Can the bow bolt be installed on an existing bow or must the bow be built/designed around the bow bolt?  I have a r/d longbow that I really like.  The only thing I would change would be to make it a 2 piece.  At this time, a new bow is out of the question.  This brings me to the original question.  I don't have the knowledge to do it myself.  That had me thinking I would have to have someone install the kit and people may not be too eager to cut my bow in half!   :eek:

[Terry Green]

Duck'n....click on the banner.....and it takes you straight to Warren Archery....and email him....bet he'd be glad to give ya an answer.

[duck'n]

Thanks Terry, the picture up there is what got me to thinkin...which is usually dangerous, at least to the pocket book!  Anyway, I will e-mail him.  Thanks again!

[Frank V]

Brian, I once asked Ron King of Fox Archery who has built several bows for me if he could turn a favorite LB he made for me into a 2 piece takedown using the bolt system & he said he didn't want to as it wasn't designed as a takedown.
 Others may disagree, but I trust the one who built the bow. Frank

[duck'n]

Thanks all, I have decided to leave well enough alone.  My grandfather used to say, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it."  Seems to apply pretty well here.

[Craig Warren]

Brian,
Your grandfather was a wise man.  It's one of my favorite sayings too.

Retrofits can be done and they work pretty well in most cases but it is difficult for anyone to guarantee the results for several reasons.

First, unless the person doing the retrofit actually made the bow in the first place, he would have very little to gain, maybe $150 for his labor, and everything to loose, like maybe $800 to replace a nice bow if the retrofit didn't work out.

Secondly, without having made the bow in the first place, it is difficult for the person doing the retrofit to know the condition of the glue joints and of the wood used in the riser.

In a one-piece bow, these things are not nearly as critical as they are in any type of two piece takedown system.  

Finally, as I've said before, the most difficult part of a retrofit attempt is to get up the nerve to cut a perfectly fine bow in half. Not many bowyers are in favor of doing a retrofit for that reason alone.  I don't blame them.

Having said all of this, I have had so many potential customers tell me that if I would do it for them, they would be willing to sign any waiver I put together. I guess if someone wants it done that much someone should be offering the service.  I have heard that Ted Fry of Raptor has done some very nice retrofits and there may be a few others that will do it too.  Who knows, when my new shop is ready in a month or two, maybe I'll get the nerve to offer it as a service too.

Your best bet, though, is probably to have a new bow made as a two piece in the first place.  

Good luck,

Craig

[duck'n]

Craig, I got your e-mail...thank you for the prompt reply!  My bowyer uses your bow-bolt system but I haven't contacted him yet.  I just decided that I would wait and order a 2 piece from him (with the bow-bolt) with similar specs at a later date.