about short billets

[Blacktail]

how short can a billet be for a take down bow or even a splice..i have some billets that are left over from other bows that i have been saving but i think they might be to short for any thing...they 30'' inches.and i even have one that is 27''...SO,how short can a person go..thanks john

[Josh]

the takedown sleeves I have used all require 2" for the brass sleeve on each limb which butt together inside the steel handle.  Most splices are 2"to 4" long.  So if you have 30" billets, 2 inches off each billet will leave you with a 56" bow. 

[Blacktail]

looks like they might turn into California Indian bow...

[KenH]

LOTS of bow possibilities in the 52" to 56" range.   Møllegabets, Pyramids, Half Eye's Ottawa/Seneca/Chippewa NA bows, PNW tribal bows.  You're not gonna get 50#-70#,  29-30" draws though.  With good tillering you can get 27-28" and #40ish draw weights.

[Pat B]

With a take down sleeve you could make a 60"t/t bow. With a 3" splice maybe 57" t/t.

[Gordon]

What kind of wood are they?

[Blacktail]

thanks so much for the info guys its helpfull...GORDON-YEW WOOD...PAT,i really didnt know a person could do a 3'' splice..so,that is some thing new to learn...ok.with a 3'' splice and the bow being 57'' ...do you think the splice will hold...i guess it depends on poundage...john

[Josh]

you can always reinforce your splice area with an overlapping whole piece of wood on the back and belly the legth of the handle.   Gives the splice a little more support and rounds out the handle better...  Win/Win.   

[TRACY]

thanks so much for the info guys its helpfull...GORDON-YEW WOOD...PAT,i really didnt know a person could do a 3'' splice..so,that is some thing new to learn...ok.with a 3'' splice and the bow being 57'' ...do you think the splice will hold...i guess it depends on poundage...john

Marc St.Louis had an article in the past year(not sure which issue) and he shares some of his splicing techniques and they were <4".

I've had good luck with 3" myself on 56-60" bows myself using urac for what it's worth.

Tracy

[jkekoni]

You can splice both billets to a handle piece. This would allow you to add some length and not waste any length on joint. Asian composites are usually done like this.

[Gordon]

John,

Don't discard those billets. You can make a perfectly good 56" bow out of yew, especially if you sinew the back.

[Blacktail]

gordon,i wont..i am just trying to figure the best way  too get it done...