String grooves

[DC]

When I'm doing the final string alignment(last 1/16" or so) on a recurve can I "cheat" and let the string grooves center the string or should I do it right? Dumb question. I'm at 20" draw, got 7.5" to go. The string stays on and goes right over the center of the handle. It's just out a bit on the one recurve. The other is dead center. If I correct it now what are the chances that it will move again while I tiller the last  seven inches? It's got pretty big hooks.

[Pat B]

Recurves can be tricky if things don't line up. I think I'd try to get it straighter.
 I'll move this to "BOWS".

[DC]

Thanks Pat, twice   I've already done 6 or 7 heat corrections so far. One more won't hurt.

[wizardgoat]

Don, I have cheated on a couple, but I prefer to get them as straight as possible. Heating right before the hook is the best spot.
I secure my bow side ways on my bench. I put a weight on the very tip attached to a string, so when I heat it up it'll bend the right way. I put something to stop it from going too far, a little block of wood or something.
I've had real good luck doing this, and now do it on almost every recurve, even if they're out just a bit. They won't move through out tillering,  because this area is usually left a little stiff as to not lose your hook.

[bow101]

Is that OS "D"   

[bubby]

Always better to get it perfect, it looks like you can narrow that tip and move the string enough to be good just remove from the side that is off

[DC]

Yes, it's OS. It's a replacement for the one that lifted a splinter a while back. I was planning on narrowing the tips a bit after I got the string lined up. I've already glued on the hoof tips so I would rather remove material from both sides. Here's my setup. I used the jig I originally bent the curves with to correct it. The big wedge is there to stop the curve from uncurling with the heat. There is a smaller wedge at the side to push the tip over. I heat it at the beginning of the curve, pretty much. It's a light bow, only about 35#, 62"NTN around the outside.

[DC]

OK All lined up and tillered to 27". That's 1/2" shy of my draw length. Now, how deep and how wide do I make the grooves? I've started with a 5/32" file, the file I use for making nocks.

[PatM]

I like the depth to be half the thickness of the portion of string contacting them and as wide. That will depend on the  string being twisted or endless.

[DC]

That's pretty much what I had in mind. Just checkin'

[Pat B]

I agree with Pat.