New bow build for Scott! "Finished"

[Apex Predator]

My buddy Scott has my first R/D longbow, and now I am building him my first hybrid. I am shooting for 55-60@28 and 62" NTN. Hopefully I will come close! She has osage and wenge in the riser, action boo core, and bamboo limb faces. He wanted to stain the bamboo, and this is what we came up with. It's Tandy leather dye in dark brown, but it looks more green to me. What do you guys think?

   

   

   

Here is the form that I will use for the lay-up.

   

[Apex Predator]

I've got everything ready for the lay-up tonight.  I had to build some new pressure strips to fit this form.  I used 1/16" X 1 1/2" aluminum for the base, a strip of rubber on the bottom where it contacts the bow, and a piece of PVC trim for the crown piece.  The crown serves to ensure that the edges don't get all the pressure from my rubber clamping strips.  Without the crown the center would not get enough pressure.  I then wrap them well with plastic wrap.  That roll in the last photo gets used a whole lot in my shop, and I recommend it to anyone building bows.  You can get them at Home Depot or similiar.

After assembly, I tweak the ends of the strips to mate well with the fades on my riser.  All of this will greatly assist in a pain free lay-up and great glue lines.

[bjansen]

This is going to be great...Cant wait to see how it comes out!

[kennym]

Looks like a huntin machine to me!! Can't wait to see it!

[ron w]

Like I said on the first post, with that form it looks to be a screamer @ 55# ,keep it come'n. I think you are doing a great job on these build-alongs!

[wihill]

I don't know how you make it look so easy, Marty, but you've got it down pat.

 

[TNstickn]

Cool idea on disributing that preassure. Cant wait to see the results.

[Apex Predator]

I decided to spend the evening with my wife and kids.  Gotta do that as much as I can.  I spent too many years overseas in the Navy, and have to make up time.  I got back to work this morning.

Here is the riser sitting in the form.  I thought it would be harder to build than what I am used to, since all my previous risers were straight on the back.



When sanding the fades on my spindle sander, I use this quick 2X4 for backing.  It makes it much easier to get the ends very thin.



I measure smooth-on in these 9 oz plastic cups.  I just make sure they are equal.  I figure I have 3.5-4oz of each part.



I dab the epoxy on the lams and then spread with this wall paper seam roller.  Works really well for me.



I am building my lam stack on the work bench until it's time to lay on the riser.  I then lay that stack on my form.  I made some alignment marks on the form and my lams so that it will line up properly.  Got to make sure that it will fit between the end stop washers on my form when I start clamping it down.



Then I butter up the bottom of the riser.  I go really heavy on the epoxy in the vicinity of the fades.



I then clamp it to the stack on the form, making sure it is aligned to center.

[Apex Predator]

Here is a shot of the whole bow.  



I used electrical tape to hold the lams down while setting my pressure strips.



Then I place my pressure strips and start wrapping rubber!  I start mid limb and wrap towards the tip on each limb.  Then I will go back and forth between limbs until I am out of rubber.  Normally this means 12-14 strips total.  I can get a lot of pressure on the fades like this.

[Apex Predator]

Here is my fancy, high tech oven.  First I have to shift into warm weather mode!  During the winter I use four 100w bulbs, but now I change them out to 75w bulbs.  I place them around the form and then place my cheap pvc and water heater insulation box over the top.  I use a $5 light timer from Walmart set to 5 hours.  My meat thermometer will top out around 160-170.  When I get home from work tonight she will be ready to remove.

[SteveD]

Looks good Marty. Nice Job

[dave_570]

I like that hot box !! i'm gonna make one too !!

[kennym]

Great buildalong Marty!!

[ron w]

Oh baby, she's looking good!

[Apex Predator]

The blank came out of the form in really great shape!  Not the first air bubble or flaw.







Here is how much spring back I got out of the form.  It's only about 5/32".



Now to find a center line and profile the limbs.  I normally mark the center at the riser and stretch a string.  When I get it all lined up properly I will mark the tips.  Then just connect the marks.

[kennym]

Sweet fades Marty, centerline looks tops too!

[wihill]

Wow - just, wow.  Awesome build Marty!!!  Your tips are great!!

[eman614]

all of your builds are awesome. its amazing what i have learned from reading them. i was wondering where you got the rubber that you use on the pressure strip? can't wait to see the finished bow!
eric

[Apex Predator]

Eric, I cut them from old bicycle inner tubes that I pick up for free at the bike shop.

[bjansen]

Great build along Apex...those fades are perfect. I am consistenly impressed on how clean, orderly and well planned your builds are...Great job!