Cutting Your bow in half

[Cyclic-Rivers]

I see a bow I want and the price is right. The problem is I am saving for a 2 piece bow (same bow).  Question of the day:

Can you turn a 1 piece bow into a 2 piece bow?  Would I be better off just ordering a 2 piece bow?

[SCATTERSHOT]

It's possible, but you run the risk of ruining your bow forever. Not for the faint of heart.

[chopx2]

[Mike Vines]

The only way to find out is just dive in and do it.  I would not be afraid to try it.  Only you know your limitations.

  Thomas Edison once said "I have never failed in my life, but I have made about 10,000 mistakes during it".

[Doug in MN]

You are a brave man, just don't tell John you bought one of his bows and took a saw to it.

This is even if it turns out perfect.

[joe skipp]

The Groves Mag II had the riser cut at an angle below the grip and each half of the riser attached with a large limb bolt which was hidden inside the lower portion.

I wouldn't do it...just order a 2 pc.

[BigJim]

I doubt you would ever be happy with it. Besides, depending on the takedown system, a 2 piece is more than taking a one and cutting it in half. The riser will have to be reinforced.

BigJim

[Cyclic-Rivers]

Doug, By your post I can tell You know which bow I am looking at, after all You turned me on to it LOL. The seller has yet to respond to me so I assume it's probably sold.

Joe, Kinda what I was thinking but the price was making it very tempting.

I was asking in case it was a standard procedure. BTW, I would not have enough confidence to do it myself, I would have to send it out.

[Bjorn]

I have made two 2 pc bows from 1 pc bows. One worked out the other did not. I would never recommend to anyone to take a 1 pc bow they like, and attempt to make a 2 pc out of it. Just because it is a good 1 pc does not mean you will like it as a 2 pc.
Ordering a 2 pc from a bowyer is a different story, anyway whatever you decide to do good luck!

[Sixby]

Its a very complicated , precision job.

[slivrslingr]

I watched Ted at Raptor install a bow bolt system in what was a one piece, I believe it was a one off job!  He said it was very difficult getting things lined up perfectly.  Can it be done, yes, should it be done, only if you're brave!

[xtrema312]

I would think an attempt at a bow bolt or sleeve would not be a good idea.  Maybe a hinge where the cut is nice and straight through and all the force is on the back side with screws in from the back and above and below the cut a ways.  I have seen those in standard non-reinforced riser woods.  The problem would be getting everything square to cut and fit the hardware after the bow is shaped.  It would be way easer to do when it is still in a block shape.

[acadian archer]

if you want a 2 piece bow then that's what you should order.

[Rank Bull]

Well no matter what...succes or failure, you WILL have two pieces. hehe

I would not do it. These sytems can fail even if the bow is originally built with one. Doing it after the fact probably raises the chances of the bow coming apart.

[WESTBROOK]

A hinge would be the way to go, you can put that on and align it BEFORE you cut the bow.

A bolt or a sleeve, wouldnt think of it, the chances of getting the bow aligned after you cut it are slim.

Eric

[Bobby Urban]

I bought the first Conextion hinge Dick Robertson ever sold many years ago and put it on my favorite longbow - a Great Northern Bushbow.  He had the hinge at the GLLI and was using it to demonstrate his "new" takedown system.(tells you how long ago that was)  I offered him $75.00 and he gave it to me saying, "don't cut the bow until the hinge is mounted"  It was real easy and the bow still shoots great today.  The bow bolt would require tools I do not have but a hinge is no problem.

Bob Urban

[mcgroundstalker]

Hope ya find/get what you are lookin' for Charlie. I've heard both sides of the "two piece bow" story. Kinda split right down the middle, pro and con that is. I got hold of a take down Spirit Longbow here on Trad Gang. It was built with the Bow-Bolt option. Although the grip is (built-up) a bit, I think it's great!

... mike ...

[Dick in Seattle]

If you want to see what the hinge system is like, both as an original installation and in converting a one piece to a two piece, here is a link to a couple of "hinge-alongs":

 http://dickwightman.com/archeryactivity/bowbuilding/connexionhinge/thehinge.html

You can take a look and see whether you think it would work on the bow you have in mind.   Riser shape is an issue, as is, of course, your degree of comfort with the work.   It isn't really all that hard, just very, very nervous making....