I understand where he is coming from,I guess in the earlier years I would have
tried about anything to save a bow[and did] and some of the ideas here will probably work ,if not for good at least for a while,so he should take the advice given from those that have done it and go for it, if it works he will be happy if not then he can move on.
I also will try repairs,on most selfbows their is some repairs along the way [almost always] I also save broken limbs and all of that for future use.But some problems such as frets I just retire it or most likely cut it up and cook brats with it and move on.
Let us know how you proceed and how it works out for you.
Pappy