Roy, do you use anything between your slat and the c-clamps? Thanks, Bob

I don't know if Roy uses some thing on the slat side.
I'd suggest using something like a small piece of 1/4 inch plywood etc. otherwise you'll be putting considerable pressure in that one spot and could put a small compression area.

I think Roy was using short pieces of boo as pads under his clamps in the pic he posted earlier. Thev would conform to the contour of the boos back. I think Eric posted pics of these kind of boo pads in a post a few years ago.

I'd be afraid they wouldn't match perfectly and then crush or compress the bamboo in a spot or two.

I use strips of 1/8" rubber long enough that I need just two of them to cover the entire bow.

Perhaps the best of both worlds... the rubber between the bamboo pads and the back of the bow???

I like the idea that the boo pad put pressure evenly from across the rounded back of the boo. I imagine that helps improve the glue line.

I would also be concerned about the edge of the boo pad damageing the boo backing. I imagine if Eric and Roy have not had problems then it's not an issue. I might glue a piece of inner tube to the bottom of each boo pad just for safety (or to make myself feel like i had more safety) ... would probably increase the friction of the boo pad to the backing too and reduce or eliminate any slippage.

I don't know beans about backed bows. Would a air hose form not cure this problem seeing that it may lay around the curve of your boo?

Yes Bob I place a thin 1/8th lam on the belly side to protect the belly from clamp indents. I haven't had a any problems with using the 2 inch pieces of boo on the back of the bow at glue ups, which I got the idea from Eric. I don't crank my clamps down very tight, I just snug them a bit after they make contact with the bow material. It doesn't take a whole lot of pressure to squeeze two narrow 1 1/2" flat surfaces together in my opinion and my glue joints have been very good.

I have made about 50 bamboo backed osage bows with bamboo scrap clamp pads, no problems of any kind so far. Like Roy, I don't tighten my C clamps very tight, just enough to squeeze out some glue buggers.

Thanks guys.I scored about 30 clamps for $30 at the Habitat for Humanity store so I am ready to glue one up.I am going to use tapered lams of osage like Wingnut does in TBB 4.I'll let you know how it works. Bob

Take lots of pictures, Bob.. Get er done.. Just watch your fingers on that edge sander. I already sanded one knuckle:)

Bob ya have a PM.