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Main Boards => The Bowyer's Bench => Topic started by: fujimo on January 09, 2011, 01:17:00 AM

Title: where does the carbon strip go
Post by: fujimo on January 09, 2011, 01:17:00 AM
where does the carbon strip go in a fg bow?
one supplier told me: as far from the middle as possible, and just under the back glass.
the other told me: under the belly glass!

so.... it makes sense to me, to get it away from the neutral axis.
but to my knowledge, carbon/graphite is stronger under compression, than under tension.- as apposed to kevlar, spectra, and fibres in the nylon family, which are stronger under tension.

so surely under the belly glass, it would resist compression better, and facilitate quicker limb recovery.

am i missing something here- please you guys with all the experience and skill, help me understand this please.

thanks
wayne
Title: Re: where does the carbon strip go
Post by: Andy Cooper on January 09, 2011, 10:21:00 AM
IIRC, there have been stories on here about bows with carbon on the belly blowing up. Look on the A&H site and on the Habu site. There are pictures and descriptions. Others, too, have carbon offered. I'm sure someone will jump in soon who knows more than do I...as do most!
Title: Re: where does the carbon strip go
Post by: PV on January 09, 2011, 11:58:00 AM
Many different theories as to the placement of carbon in a bow limb. I use it as a replacement for the back glass. Others use it back and belly. Still others cover it with a thin layer of glas. Some also use it in the center of the core for lateral stability.  There are also many different types of carbon fiber laminations.Bias,unidirectional,etc.

Clear as mud eh?

Are your two suppliers selling the same carbon laminations?
Is the design of the bow one that will benefit from carbon or even hold together when used?
Carbon has a history of blowing off the belly of some bow designs.

These are a few of the questions that need to be answered before your question can be answered.
Title: Re: where does the carbon strip go
Post by: JamesV on January 09, 2011, 12:22:00 PM
Personally I think carbon is all hype and something to sell, but that is what sells and my OPINION. If I really wanted the added speed and performance of carbon, Mathews has a contraption for sale that will outshoot anybody's trad bow. Think I will stick with my old bow.

James.....................
Title: Re: where does the carbon strip go
Post by: fujimo on January 09, 2011, 12:54:00 PM
thats a very valid pont james.
however i am building a 3 piece td longbow.
50# @ 28"
in the 64 to 68" region.
and was trying to see if the carbon would assist a bit with limb recovery and arrow speed.
ta.
Title: Re: where does the carbon strip go
Post by: Roy from Pa on January 09, 2011, 01:07:00 PM
Wayne, have you considered Bamboo lams? I understand they are very good in performance.
Title: Re: where does the carbon strip go
Post by: fujimo on January 09, 2011, 06:04:00 PM
yup that is what i had in mind, to try and reduce mass in the limbs, however i think it was kenny who has done a bunch of test bows, and i believe he came to the conlclusion that the core did not make any noticable difference- but i cant quote that, as i have not seen his test results.
but this will be my first glass bow, so am just weighing up all options.- but i will probably still use bamboo/cane lams.
thanks
wayne
Title: Re: where does the carbon strip go
Post by: kennym on January 09, 2011, 10:57:00 PM
Here ya go Wayne, read away!!  :)  

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