I've built a few bows using C clamps and an aluminum pressure strip. I've been thinking that I should use something else in addition to the metal strip. What do you guys suggest?
If it's a glass bow use a fire hose setup to pump air into it. That's what most glass guys use. Binghams archery sells those kits.
How thick is your alum. strip?
Also , why do you think you need more?
I haven't done any clamp forms, so not sure, but if the alum strip is fairly thick, not sure what you could do better?
I like the air hose form for the fact it gets exactly the same pressure for the length of the bow...
When I use the C-clamp method (which I often use on longbows) I use a thin alum strip, about a 1/4" rubber pressure strip and a metal pressure strip on top of that. The metal strip and the rubber keeps the pressure even across the blank and displaces the contact pressure from the clamp head. I switched from the air hose method on my longbows years back because it allowed me to better control the pressure at the fade outs. Still use air hose for take downs but the C-clamps have always worked well for me. A little more of a pain in the set up however.
I use a 1/4" rubber pressure strip and a 3/16" steel strip to keep the pressure even. I've had good luck with this set up with C clamps.
-Jay
I use inner tubes and in addition the fire hose which is put over the inner tubes with a simply rope.
This turns out as the fastest and easiest method for me.
The 1/4" piece of rubber keeps things evened out through the curve of the fades. I like a nice .150" Hickory lam as a pressure strip