Author Topic: Which do you reduce first?  (Read 3212 times)

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Offline Ifrit617

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Which do you reduce first?
« on: April 29, 2013, 07:57:32 pm »
Hey guys,

Do you reduce the belly taper (thickness) or the side taper (width) first? Why do you prefer one way over the other? I like to reduce the belly first, then cut the front profile, since I think it gives me a more even thickness taper. Just curious what others do and why.

Jon

Offline adb

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Re: Which do you reduce first?
« Reply #1 on: April 29, 2013, 08:05:46 pm »
Side taper profile first, then belly thickness taper for me. I have profile templates for all of my bow designs. Just the way I do it... I don't think it matters that much, as long as your tapers are reasonably even.

Offline bubby

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Re: Which do you reduce first?
« Reply #2 on: April 29, 2013, 08:06:09 pm »
I do the sides first, less to remove on the belly that way
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Offline killir duck

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Re: Which do you reduce first?
« Reply #3 on: April 29, 2013, 08:07:30 pm »
I do the sides first, less to remove on the belly that way

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Offline Joec123able

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Re: Which do you reduce first?
« Reply #4 on: April 29, 2013, 08:15:29 pm »
I like to do the sides first because then it seems easier to remove wood off the belly and it also I just like to see what the bows gonna look like when I'm finished
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Offline Red Tailed Hawk

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Re: Which do you reduce first?
« Reply #5 on: April 29, 2013, 08:36:55 pm »
Always have done sides first. As already said I dont think it matters either way.

Offline Thesquirrelslinger

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Re: Which do you reduce first?
« Reply #6 on: April 29, 2013, 08:44:17 pm »
Sides, I work with hand tools and every shaving counts.
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Offline bushboy

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Re: Which do you reduce first?
« Reply #7 on: April 29, 2013, 08:58:09 pm »
On board bow I reduce the belly first then cut the profile.this way I can mark it all out @ once.doesn't matter bout the extra wood cuz I use power tools,with a young family I have to go like the wind!lol!
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Offline PEARL DRUMS

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Re: Which do you reduce first?
« Reply #8 on: April 29, 2013, 09:25:10 pm »
Sides first always. If you leave the sides "rough" and work the belly down to a proper tiller you will lose a bunch of weight and possibly screw the tiller up as well. Not to mention its easier to layout your thickness profile on a clean edge and not a split edge.
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Offline twisted hickory

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Re: Which do you reduce first?
« Reply #9 on: April 29, 2013, 10:52:59 pm »
I cut out the profile (width) first. It is easier to get thickness of limbs more accurate.
Greg

Offline Pat B

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Re: Which do you reduce first?
« Reply #10 on: April 30, 2013, 12:08:15 am »
I cut out the bows back profile first them remove wood from the belly side of the limbs until both limbs bend evenly and together at the draw length and weight I desire.
Make the most of all that comes and the least of all that goes!    Pat Brennan  Brevard, NC

Offline Badly Bent

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Re: Which do you reduce first?
« Reply #11 on: April 30, 2013, 12:42:24 am »
Pretty much always the sides first. If the belly is real deep I kinda reduce it somewhat with a hatchet to maybe 1" thick rough out
but always clean up side profile to lay out thickness taper before thinning belly close to taper lines.
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Offline Del the cat

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Re: Which do you reduce first?
« Reply #12 on: April 30, 2013, 04:25:51 am »
Sides first, much less ring chasing and back cleaning on the back of an ELB.
BUT on an ELB leave the tips fairly wide to avoid twist/alignment issues.
In the early stages and elb is so near same width as depth it can try to twist/bend sideways.
Del
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Offline Carson (CMB)

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Re: Which do you reduce first?
« Reply #13 on: April 30, 2013, 12:15:46 pm »
I tend to come at it in stages.  I do the sides to reasonably close, then reduce thickness to get it floor-tillered, then revisit the sides with greater attention to detail, dialing them in with a cabinet scraper.  Then tiller from the belly.  Reduce weight from the sides. 
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Offline Squirrelslayer

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Re: Which do you reduce first?
« Reply #14 on: April 30, 2013, 12:41:43 pm »
sides first and then belly. less wood removal for the belly. SSS
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