Elm project way under weight. Piking help

[ricktrojanowski]

 I'm in the process of making an elm flatbow. It is 60 1/2" (T toT) right now with a slightly bending handle.  It's the first time I have worked with elm, and really missed the draw weight.  .  I'm in need of 10-12 pounds.   I'm making it for a 27" draw length.  I think I have enough length to pike it with out it getting too short.  Is there a rule of thumb for how many inches per limb cut off adds how much weight?  Also planning on reflexing and tempering the belly.
Thanks for any advice

[toomanyknots]

I don't know the rule of thumb but everytime I say to myself, "ya, I can go around 2 inches, maybe 2 and a half..." that I end up with way too much weight. I would go a little at a time. Maybe and inch and a half at a time. That would probably do it.

[Timo]

Rick, depending on how much mass you have in your tips right now. I would start with an inch off each end and see what happens.

[Jesse]

Im sure it is different with every bow but on the ones I have done it on I usually get about 7 pounds by taking 1 inch off each end. I think the shorter you go though this will increase. If it where mine I would go 1 1/4" off each end.

[Pat B]

Before you cut the tips off just add temperary string grooves just below the original ones and test the weight. If not enough cut a few more just below those. 

[George Tsoukalas]

Start another is my advice. You are already pushing it on the length (59 in ntn) for a 27 in draw. You'd have to cut off around 4 inches to get 10 # or less. Jawge

[toomanyknots]

Well now I see why I was ending up with too much weight,  

[ricktrojanowski]

Thanks for the help so far.   
George I think I'll cut it, what do I have to lose at this point.  It will be a good experiment anyway, I'll just wear goggles when I draw it at first.

[Pappy]

Rick are you sure it is good and dry,I am working on one now also[well kind of working on it]
and when I floor tilleredit it seemed pretty week.I was talking to Tim and he said he had the same thing,so I put it in the hot box for a week and man did it pick up the weight and much springer,it had been cut/spilt and in the shed for over a year.Just a thought before you cut if off.
   Pappy

[bigcountry]

I have found the rule in the TBB to hold true.

For every 1% you cut off, you gain around 5%.  So, its not cut and dry.  I made an excel sheet starting at my length now, and going down in 1% increments, and raising my poundage by 5%.

It works and is pretty accurate. 

[Josh]

You said you were tempering the belly right?  Before you cut any of the length off try to temper the belly first as that also adds weight.. I bet you could get all of 10-12 lbs out of a good, deep tempering without even having to pike.  Just remember to give it 4-7 days to re-hydrate before you bend it again.. Good luck Rick!

[Josh]

also flipping the tips a little will help add a few lbs as well as decreasing stack.    I would try tempering and flipping the tips a little before I would shorten it any. 

[PeteC]

  If the stave is," for sure dry"; Heat treat and flip the tips. I would'nt pike it till I tried this. JMHO  God Bless

[ricktrojanowski]

Thanks for the help everybody.  I appreciate the advice.  I'm sure its good and dry.  Its been roughed and inside for about a year.  I took a bit of a break   I threw it in the hotbox just to be sure though.   

Josh and Pete, I'll take your advice and temper and flip the tips.  I was going for a flatbow, but maybe a modified Cayuga replica instead.