How do I get the mixture of epoxy and plastic wrap off the back and belly of the limbs without sanding into the glass? Just use a high grit sandpaper? 220?
That is the way I have done it in the past, the build up of epoxy should sand off before you get into the glass very far.
Well, you should probably have a bit of wrap and glue along the edges, but not on the back and belly. Did you cover your back and belly with tape?
I run mine lightly over a sanding drum on a drill press along the edges, but never have any significant amount of glue on the back or belly. Do it that way cause thats the tools that I have. You could also do it with a file or an 80 grit sanding block.
If there is a bit of glue along the back or belly along the edges, it is on the tape not the actual glass or wood or whatever the back and belly are made of. I just leave that little bit there and lay the bow out on the tape. Most of the edge is removed while cutting the limb shape.
Maybe I don't understand your question?
I'm with Monterey. Did you cover the glass with masking tape before glue up?
No I didn't, and I plan to next time. I just sanded it off with 220, took awhile but don't think I did much to the glass. Thanks!
Blue painters tape works better, it will come off easier. You can also draw your limb patterns on the tape, then cut or grind the limbs out to the lines.
Yeah, the goofy thing is that after glue up, I grind down the extra on the sides, then put tape on the back to outline the limb anyways, just got to move that step up in the line a little haha.
LOL, it's called learning:) Each bow will get better and better, and easier...
I tape my glass too. I draw a centerline and limb profile on glass before glue up. I started off using the white "high temp" tape from Bingham's.. now I use either green frog tape or the blue painters tape. I bought some yellow painters tape from the Sherwin Williams paint store, it works well too.
Yeah tape your glass. You have to sand it anyway to get the finish to stick. When I get all the tillering done the glass surfaces I did have to sand for tillering I will hit with 120 grit then 180. Then recheck tiller. If it is good it is ready for finish.
Use to layers of tape on your glass, it will lift off much easier than one single layer. then retape to stencil or draw limb shape.
you use more tape but it is well worth it.
2 layers of tape and a stiff putty knife to help peel the tape off.
one layer of tape for glue up. if it stays semi-clean I will lay-out on it. lately I have been peeling it and re-applying 1 layer of new tape for lay out.
To peel any tape, I hit it for about 5 seconds with my heat gun. Done!
I use regular tape and have no issues. tried that green stuff. hated it. worked same as the rest(which is fine) but cost to much.
I to use the tape method...
I also wipe the edges of the bow once it's clamped (through the plastic) to knock down the excess glue. Helps when you take of out of the oven... Believe KennyM shared that trick...
Two Track, yepper... I use the heat gun trick for tape too.... also on all types of stickers and such whenever and wherever needed.
Not that I make glass bows, but I have applied blue painters tape to the back of boo backed bows to keep the glue off the boo. And the first time I tried to peel off the tape, it was stuck on the boo really hard, and just was a pain to get off. But with very little heat from the heat gun and it peeled off super easy.
Use the blue painters tape to keep glue off the glass.
Take a piece of .050 glass and draw out your pattern. Cut it out and smooth sand the edges. You can use this pattern without worrying about the glue buggers on the edge.
Getting closer buddy, and glass comes with a flattened back!! :laughing: :laughing:
The tape I at Menards is the house brand green. Cheaper than 3M stuff sticks good and comes off fairly easy.
LOL Kenny
Keep on him Kenny and that ol fart will be picking glass splinters out of his hands before the winter is over..lol