Gluing in Multilam Reflex

[Tommy D]

Deepened the string groove on the weak side and did some “limb training” ... alignment seems to be holding better now... it’s pulling 55# at about 20inches.

I think the bottom limb a little stiff... and the top limb bends more close to the handle... will look again tomorrow ...

[DC]

Yup I agree, bottom is stiff. I like these gifs. I've got a bow looks very much like that, in the corner of shame. It keeps twisting off too

[Tommy D]

I like these gifs. I've got a bow looks very much like that, in the corner of shame. It keeps twisting off too

Do you ever shoot it?

If all else fails I can always cut the tips off and glue in shot short static recurves I think!

[DC]

Never got it to half draw. One tip starts to go sideways. You're doing better that me. It's maple backed Yew. Just under an inch wide at the widest.

[Tommy D]

Just under an inch wide at the widest.

Wow that’s narrow. I can see how it would keep flipping. I have it so I can put a few arrows through at a short draw.

Fair bit of hand shock!

Wondering if I can sort of hollow out the recurves - sort of widen the string grooves. Thinking this might be a good way to loose some mass but not affect their stability... It’s just a thought at this stage.

Still need to balance this tiller. It’s taken about an inch of set so far...

[DC]

Well done!

[Tommy D]

Tempted to take an inch or two off the tips - trying to figure out how to lose some of the hand shock. I can keep thinning the limbs but worried about stability. It’s a learning curve for sure - but starting to like the good old R/D more and more!!

[Tommy D]

Back on this bow. It’s a trilam. Bent some deflex in and then pulled in the reflex. The outer tips were kerfed to get the Ipe to bend. I am not sure what style one would call it! It’s a bit long I think at 66” nock to nock unbraced. But the piece of wood was 71” to start so that’s all in the bend. I know the left limb still a bit stiff and I struggled initially to keep the string on the recurve but it seems fine now. Have shot it a fair bit at short draw.

Trying to decide whether I carry on or take something off the tips. Kinda where the string loops are in the unbraced picture. Sort of a zero backset.

Would this increase or decrease the speed at the same poundage? A mass vs backset thing.  I know it would prob be a better bow to carry strung all day.

A part of me feels finish it as is; I’ve come this far. It’s been a lesson.  But I don’t love how long and unwieldy it is?

Thoughts much appreciated

[DC]

I tend to like reflex and as long as you can still string it I would leave it. If you pike it you will gain some draw weight but you will lose some speed I think but the only time I did that I reduced the DW that I'd gained by piking so that may have been the cause of the speed loss.

[Tommy D]

Well you sure do make some nice recurves! I am thinking now I will make it for a friend. I only draw 26/27 inches. I have a friend with a 30/31 inch draw - I think at that sort of draw length it might start making sense

[DC]

Work up to that DL step by step watching for the limbs twisting off.