Help...is it repairable?

[canshooter]

Last fall I made an Oak Board Bow, I backed it with 3 layers of fibreglass drywall tape. I have shot the bow several hundred times but the last time I heard a crack and on inspection the fibreglass tape has split and there is a small surface split in the wood. Could I sand it down and reback the bow with bamboo to salvage it, or am I wasting my time.

[bjansen]

Could you post a picture of it?

[Pat B]

Adding a stronger backing will only stress the red oak belly more. Time to start a new bow. IMO
Why would you use 3 layers of fiber glass dry wall tape for a backing? Is one layer not enough?
It would be for silk, linen or heavy paper!

[canshooter]

It was my first bow and I followed Sam Harpers build along. It asked for 3 layers of fibre glass wall tape so that is what I used. I still cant figure out why it failed. I will try to get some pictures to post.

[canshooter]

The damage can be seen in these images:

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y228/Dryfly1958/Bow%20stuff/rightside.jpg?t=1235433963

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y228/Dryfly1958/Bow%20stuff/leftside.jpg?t=1235433981

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y228/Dryfly1958/Bow%20stuff/backingcrack.jpg?t=1235434001

[canshooter]

BTW, AS you can see from my other post "how best to use this hickory board" I have taken Pat B's advise to heart and a new bow will shortly be underway...this stuff is more addictive than crack!

[Roy Steele]

I agree with PAT three layers is a bit much unless it's a 100# bow.Then it can't be a board.
 Start another bow or if you like it and it still shoots good just keep shooting that one,it might have a lot of arrows left in it.I'd shoot it untill I could'nt.