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Author Topic: Backing for Takedown recurve bow limbs  (Read 5263 times)

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Offline kenroehr

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Backing for Takedown recurve bow limbs
« on: February 26, 2015, 02:46:05 pm »
Knowing that the industry's best for backing the limbs of a takedown recurve bow is the BO-TUFF fiberglass, are there any acceptable (albeit, not quite as good but close) alternatives?

Things I'm thinking of trying:
Gorilla duct tape
HVAC foil tape
dry-wall patch tape
Leftover muslin fabric
strips of tarp or casing to a folding chair or gym bag

Anyone ever have any success with those?
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Offline PatM

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Re: Backing for Takedown recurve bow limbs
« Reply #1 on: February 26, 2015, 03:13:41 pm »
Why would it being a take-down require any sort of special backing? Modern bows use fiberglass because that's what they are all made with, take-down or not.
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Offline Del the cat

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    • Derek Hutchison Native Wood Self Bows
Re: Backing for Takedown recurve bow limbs
« Reply #2 on: February 26, 2015, 03:24:19 pm »
V thin bamboo.
But it's no good just considering the back, you need to match it to the belly.
Del
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Offline Pat B

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Re: Backing for Takedown recurve bow limbs
« Reply #3 on: February 26, 2015, 03:57:42 pm »
What is your purpose for backing?
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Make the most of all that comes and the least of all that goes!    Pat Brennan  Brevard, NC

Offline bubby

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Re: Backing for Takedown recurve bow limbs
« Reply #4 on: February 26, 2015, 04:19:15 pm »
Stay natural man boo hickory maple all work great
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failure is an option, everyone fails, it's how you handle it that matters.
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Offline bubby

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Re: Backing for Takedown recurve bow limbs
« Reply #5 on: February 26, 2015, 04:44:38 pm »
Rawhide is goot too, incase you didn't notice as far as bows go we're just a bunch of bush hippies and like to stay as natural as possible  :laugh:
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failure is an option, everyone fails, it's how you handle it that matters.
The few the proud the 27🏹

Offline kenroehr

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Re: Backing for Takedown recurve bow limbs
« Reply #6 on: February 27, 2015, 01:54:56 pm »
Quote from: PatM on February 26, 2015, 03:13:41 pm
Why would it being a take-down require any sort of special backing? Modern bows use fiberglass because that's what they are all made with, take-down or not.

Take-downs that are made of wood have limbs that are also made of wood in 5 pieces that are kind of sandwiched:  2 thin laminates, a wedge in the middle, and the backing on both the back and the belly.  The most modern, and most durable, backing is the bow-tuff fiberglass which is not that much thicker than duct tape or fabric.

What I like about this style of bow is that there's more artistic freedom.  The riser just just a rigid block, so one can just epoxy a bunch of hardwood pieces together in an arrangement that will look beautiful once all the cutting, rasping, sanding and finishing is done.  Then the limbs offer more options regarding the draw weight & length.  It's just a matter of how their cut.  The backing was my only concern
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Offline kenroehr

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Re: Backing for Takedown recurve bow limbs
« Reply #7 on: February 27, 2015, 01:56:21 pm »
Quote from: Del the cat on February 26, 2015, 03:24:19 pm
V thin bamboo.
But it's no good just considering the back, you need to match it to the belly.
Del

Had every intention of doing so.  Just exploring my options.  Thanks for the tip.  I got a guy around the corner who sells bamboo by the stalk.  May give him a visit.
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Offline kenroehr

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Re: Backing for Takedown recurve bow limbs
« Reply #8 on: February 27, 2015, 01:57:20 pm »
Quote from: Pat B on February 26, 2015, 03:57:42 pm
What is your purpose for backing?

Same as for longbows, to keep the lams in the limbs from splintering (yet sandwiched on both sides of the limb as is the practice for takedowns)
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Offline kenroehr

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Re: Backing for Takedown recurve bow limbs
« Reply #9 on: February 27, 2015, 01:59:22 pm »
Quote from: bubby on February 26, 2015, 04:19:15 pm
Stay natural man boo hickory maple all work great

I got a maple I'll soon be tearing down (digging up my sidewalk, which is a fine in my town).  So I think I'll tell the Tree Surgeon to leave me the best pieces of wood.  Thanks.
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Offline kenroehr

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Re: Backing for Takedown recurve bow limbs
« Reply #10 on: February 27, 2015, 02:01:12 pm »
Quote from: bubby on February 26, 2015, 04:44:38 pm
Rawhide is goot too, incase you didn't notice as far as bows go we're just a bunch of bush hippies and like to stay as natural as possible  :laugh:

I'd been meaning to try rawhide as backing for other types of bows too.  I saw a blog of how to unravel one of those big dog bones.  I'll give that a try.  Thanks.
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Offline PatM

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Re: Backing for Takedown recurve bow limbs
« Reply #11 on: February 27, 2015, 02:10:37 pm »
You seem a bit misinformed as to what is necessary in bow construction. The multi lams are not a necessity.
 
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Offline bubby

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Re: Backing for Takedown recurve bow limbs
« Reply #12 on: February 27, 2015, 03:17:07 pm »
I've built quite a few three pc takedows, all wood except the bolts when i get home I'll pull up a pic
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failure is an option, everyone fails, it's how you handle it that matters.
The few the proud the 27🏹
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