I'll be making a BBI SOON.
What do I have to do to make the tips FF string "OK"?
Do I even need an overlay at all?
I've seen some guys cut the tip off diagonally and glue on a horn tip or other material.
Honestly, trusting that glue joint scares the hell outta me.
Thanks
Don't worry about the glue joint. Make sure that the mating surfaces are perfectly flat and use epoxy or gel super glue.
Dave.
Why do people add the material at the end like that?
I'm very ignorant here I know..lol
But I really don't understand the reason.
I'm just a newbie so I'm not sure what they add apart from looks. :dunno: :o
Dave.
Most of the overlays are for looks.
By adding the overlays in some cases it is a better surface to work in the string,grooves..Moore rounded etc.
Zradix, the tips are usually 'ground' off. I do mine with a belt sander held in my bench vice... with the opposite limb tip against my instep on the floor. After grinding, I also go over the gluing surfaces with the toothing plane blade so that I can't possibly starve the joint of glue. I prep the horn the same way, then I use Smooth On epoxy, which has gap-filling properties. I have NEVER had one come loose the tiniest little bit, and I've used this technique with bows in excess of 70 lbs.
Horn is more durable than bamboo. Without overlays, the bottom limb tip can get worn, finish can come off allowing moisture in, etc. Also, with no overlay, you woultn't want to file the string grooves down into the bamboo at all, which would compromise its strength... not so with the horn. Also, cutting the string grooves down into the horn helps protect the string. IMO, The horn tips also give the bow a more 'finished', more attractive look.
thanks guys
Zradixx, I usually glue my tip overlays on with supoerglue ... haven't had a problem yet and you can usually work them within 30min of gluing that way.
Superglue bonds horn well it seems.
Cool thanks Ben.
Just ordered some horn...
whered you order it from? i might get me some too.... was planning on using antler.... and i may still....
I got several pieces on **** a while back. They're blocks of solid horn 2x4x3/4" thick.