i'm making a tri-lam bow for the first time wanted to know if it matters if i glue up the bamboo back to the bamboo center first let cure, this would be a flat glue up[flat form] then glue up the osage belly on a r/d form with the bamboo or do i just do it all at one time to get the correct r/d with all lams. thanks LjT
On all of the all-wood laminated bows I've built whether flat or R/D, I've always glued up all of the main lams at once. I have never worked with glass. Overlays whether on the tips or the riser I have always added after gluing the body of the bow together.
thanks foe the reply i also havenot worked with glass before this is all wood and bamboo i thought if i could glue up the bamboo first it mite help with glue work time and just moving all lams in a neat order less mess maybe i'll try just as learning curve glueing up bamboo first then cure then belly wood and then into r/d press well thanks again where in kewaskum do you live i live in augusta wisc. i came from milwaukee don't miss it at all less stress. LjT
If you are using Urac or Titebond glue, you should have plenty of time to glue up the whole bow at once. Do a dry run, then lay out all the parts in order, and spread your glue with a small brush. As long as it's not really hot and dry, the glue won't set up before you're ready to clamp it.
Dave.
Gluing the parts together in the form is what gives the bow it's shape. It is nearly impossible to give a glued-up bow any shape after it has been glued together. (Steam and heat can be used to shape wood pieces but they also will cause the glue to release.)
I use Urac 185 glue as this gives me the longest working time and it also is a gap-filling type glue. This means it is a bit more forgiving when it comes to fitting the pieces together. The lams are then placed onto the R/D form to cure into the desired shape. Urac will cure at room temperature provided you give it enough time.
I usually let my lams cure in the form for 48 hours or more at room temperature. A slow lower temp cure I was told was also a stronger bond by the folks who make Urac. But to be candid, I have never heard of anyone having a bond issue when using Urac regardless of the temp they cured their project with and I know a lot of folks who use a hot box to speed up the cure time. WC2 is spot-on in that you want to do a dry run of your fit up before actually gluing the parts together. You will often find some things that need some tweaking this way.