Bow weight reduction

[Kip]

I have a set of limbs 52 lbs.for my Bob Lee and would like them 48/50 my perfered wgt at my age.I know it is not much difference but can anyone tell me how to do it .I know sanding is involved and must do the same amount of sanding on each side.Can someone give me a lesson.Thanks Kip

[macbow]

The prefered method is sanding the flat surfaces equally.
I would suggest a palm sander using 120 sand paper to start.
Keep it moving and count strokes or something to be able to repeat on the other limb.

Maybe just do the belly on both limbs then check weight.
Then go to the backs if needed.

2 to 4 pounds is very do able. Finish with finer sand paper.

[Kip]

Thanks Ron can I do it by sanding each side of the limbs but not sure how close to tip and how close to the bottom of limbs.Thanks kip

[macbow]

Don't think you need the entire limb. I'd stay away from the tips a,inch or so.
At the fades you should be able to go up the slope a ways but it won't help much doing it all.

When sanding start with a new piece of sand paper for each face to help keep things even.

The main thing is not to hold it in one spot and cause a dip.

By side I mean the wide flat part.

What your doing,is reducing the thickness of the fibreglass.
So we are talking .001 type removal and then check.

[Crittergetter]

Kip,  I wish I would have known about this at the hunt .  I would have gladly brought them home and done them for you .
You can easily drop a couple pounds by sanding the belly or by trapping the edges. Make sure you do nice long even strokes and count them and repeat on the other limb. Be sure and check your tiller before and after. If you need to adjust the tiller then just sand on one limb to bring it back where it needs to be. Adjusting tiller by 1/8" will usually drop around 1# of weight so go SLOW!! I wouldn't sand on the back of the bow at all. IMO

[Crittergetter]

I do it with a flat sanding block with 120 grit. Just be sure to keep it flat and go slow!

[JamesV]

There are several videos from the Pearson and Bear factories showing the tillering process of glass bows and they all show sanding the flat part of the glass limb to reduce weight. Not the edges to reduce width.

James

[LittleBen]

For such a small amount of weight, I personally would just round over the corners of the back and belly slightly.

Even number of strokes on each corner of each limb using maybe 150grit, then 220grit, then refinish.

Those little foam sanding block work pretty well for that. Easy to make them nice and rounded that way,

You don't need to take off much I don't think.

[LittleBen]

double post

[Crooked Stic]

X
-2 on LittleBen said. A flat block with 40 grit to start. Held at 45 degrees count strokes do each corner. I have went as many as 80 strokes per corner. Then hold the block st a flatter angle to blend. Easy 4 lbs.finish with finer grit.