Fade profiles

[Mjl834]

Just a quick question.  I'm making my first board bow and am wondering if the upper and lower fades should have the same tapper profile.  Thanks

[Dazzad]

No mate, keep things as simple as you can - no need to overcomplicate. Good luck!

[mikkekeswick]

An even blend into the working limb is all you need to do.

[Eric Krewson]

Yep, make them the same. A lot of newbies make an abrupt transition into the limbs which usually ends up with a popped off handle.

Make your transition long and graceful. You can lessen the chance of popping your handle off if you put a couple of 1/8" shims down first before you glue the bulk of your handle material down.

 

[Mjl834]

Thanks for the info fellas.
Eric, in your photo, how thick is the limb after the fade?

[Eric Krewson]

The limb is 1 1/4" wide and about 1/2" thick at the fade not counting the bamboo, it is a bamboo osage bow.

This is before I did any tillering and the bow is probably in the 100# range at this point.

[Mjl834]

Ok great, thanks.  Gives me an idea as to where to start with the tillering.  I'm just making an ash board bow backed with carbon fibre just because that's what I have access to.

[Eric Krewson]

I always make my limbs slightly rounded on the belly and tiller away most of the hump as I head toward the target weight.

I never checked exactly but I suspect 1/8" or so of extra rounded wood on the belly would amount to at least 20# pounds to tiller off.

This extra wood gives you some breathing room on hitting your target.