Board bow: cut to center?

[Escoffier1974]

Good afternoon;

When making a board bow, can you cut the arrow shelf to center?  Also does anyone have plans that show this (or something close)?  I'm seeing a lot of great bows in what others have posted, but I want to make sure I'm not getting too aggressive.

Thanks,
D

[Sam Harper]

It depends on how much you build up your riser and how strong your bow.  The thicker your riser (or the weaker your bow), the deeper you can cut.  I wish I could give you a number, but I can't.

[PEARL DRUMS]

Personal opinion of mine. Leave the shelves for glass bows. You can stack up "v" shaped leather cut outs and rasp a shelf shape and glue it to your narrowed riser for the same effect. Narrow your handle to  1 1/8" wide and the stacked leather rest will feel as if its cut in. The performance gained on a board bow by making it center cut isnt nearly worth the risk.

[red hill]

I'd go with Pearl. I stopped cutting in shelves and now glue on arrow rests made of antler or leather. Works well.

[SLIMBOB]

Yep.  I agree with Pearl as well.  Built up leather, or wood shelf works as well without the risks.