So I've just finished this 60" R/D Longbow that is 53#@28" and shot it a few times. After examining it I found what looks like a delamination in the handle. I think my first issue was putting on a handle overlay that was too thick. It took a little convincing to get it to lay flat to the back of the bow. With that being said I have a couple questions. One, in the opinion of those that have experience with such things, is it safe to shoot being that the delamination is in a non working part of the bow? Second, is there a way to fix it (even if it is only for cosmetic reasons)?

Thank you
Nathan

Just to clarify due to the bad pic, the delamination appears to be under the clear glass. This is my first issue with delamination so my experience in this area is extremely limited.

Is it possible it's just a splinter that can be sanded out or does it go all the way through?

That's just a spitball guess. Good looking riser though. Hope it's salvageable.

Cody


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Hmmm, if  the thick overlay is the wood , it should be pulling on the ends off it , and pushing tighter in center.


Probably not a failure type delam, but cosmetic.  I think I would gently get a knife point in there, and put some thin CA to it if it were mine. Ca will usually wick in but doesn't always heal the blem. 

Good luck, great looking riser!

Yeah I would  string it and wick thin CA in there and let it cure on its own .

Thank you for the replies! I went ahead and shot it this evening (approx 100 arrows keeping a good eye on it). I marked the ends of what I think is the delamination and it did not get any worse. I'm going to sand it down and attempt to get some better pics. Thank you again for the replies and insight!

Cody, I'm almost certain it is not a splinter. Hopefully I can get some better pics to show the issue more clearly.

Kenny, that was my thinking as well. Not having a delam issue before I thought it to be in a weird spot in general. I would think that everything would be pressing down at that point. When I was checking for tiller and draw weight on my filleting tree I did hear what I thought was a small tick. I hadn't noticed it during my hours of sanding but did notice it after examining the bow after the finish was on.

Nathan

What did you use to profile the overlay? If you used a rasp or something real coarse you could've tore the glass a little.

That almost looks like something between the glass and overlay.

I'm still in the stone ages and feel like I need to have a hands on approach when making a bow. I try to profile the overlay as much as I can before gluing to the riser. Once glued to the riser it's only sand paper. I start with 80 grit and work up to 220.

Pic1

Pic2

Pic3

I tried to work the tip of an exacto knife under the glass and then under the overlay to no avail.

To me, and bear in mind I am no where near as experienced as the others, it looks like it may have developed a split in the glass, perhaps when clamped. How close to the edge is that? If it's close enough to the edge could you just contour the handle a bit more round to sand it down past the blem?

Ok in those pics looks like an air bubble and you are kinda on the edge of it. did it take any thin CA? If it is not moving when you shoot it it will prolly be ok.

Quote from: Crooked Stic on February 06, 2019, 09:12:54 AM
Ok in those pics looks like an air bubble and you are kinda on the edge of it. did it take any thin CA? If it is not moving when you shoot it it will prolly be ok.

Mike, I am certainly not arguing with you as I am not qualified to do so. More so trying to make sure I am seeing this correctly, but as I see it we are looking at the edge of the glass more than the face of it? If so, I am not sure how it could be an air bubble?

I think there are a couple air bubbles in here posting

Quote from: skeaterbait on February 06, 2019, 07:29:58 AM
To me, and bear in mind I am no where near as experienced as the others, it looks like it may have developed a split in the glass, perhaps when clamped. How close to the edge is that? If it's close enough to the edge could you just contour the handle a bit more round to sand it down past the blem?

This is what I would do if it were mine.
Rounding the grip a little more should remove the blem without compromising the bow in any way and would probably make the grip even more comfortable. IMO

Looks more like thick glue, maybe it wasn't pressed down tight at glue up.

I'd do what skeeter and critter said.

as was already mentioned, if you round that over, you'll sand it away. Its strictly cosmetic. Since your bow isn't bending at all in that region, it will have no bearing on the shootability at all. if it bothers you, put a leather or some kind of handle wrap on it.