Glass splitting issue..I need help!

[recurvericky]

While building a glass laminated long bow I accidentally nicked the back of the limb on the band saw. At first there was just a cut that did not go completely through the glass. The cut is under compression while shooting. While finishing the bow I filled the cut with several layers of super glue. After shooting the bow the glass began to separate. The bow is not delaminating, the glass is splitting. Is there a way to fix this? I was thinking of try to get thinned Smooth-On or 5-minute epoxy in the cut and work it underr the glass. Any suggestions or is the bow done for?
You can see the split in the photo below.

[jess stuart]

Man that is to bad, a real bummer. Someone I believe it was here, said they drilled small holes at each end of the crack.  Only went through the glass, then filled with super glue.  Said it stopped the crack dead in its tracks.  I guess you don't really have anything to lose by trying.  As long as it ain't broke there is still hope.  Bowyers have to be a bit optimistic.  Good luck in whatever you choose to do.

[recurvericky]

TTT

[KellyG]

Not a bowyer of any measure, but just brain storming. I you drill and fill or just fill and that does not work. Could you sand off the glass and but on another Piece?
Kellhy

[PEARL DRUMS]

I vote for drilling small holes on either side and filling with CA glue. It looks as if you have nothing to lose? Bummer deal all the same.

[JamesV]

I used a heat gun to remove a piece of clear glass from the belly of a bow and replaced it. I used a sharp puddy knife and started at the nock end and heated while pushing the putty knife under the glass. Just go slow and when the temp is just right it will peel right off without damaging the limb. Mine was glued up with smooth-on. After the repair the bow looked as good as the original and is still shooting fine.

James...................

[recurvericky]

JamesV

I thought about removing the glass just as you stated. I will probably be better off doing it this way instead of trying to repair the cut.

[JamesV]

If the glass is damaged  and you drill holes in the glass it will continue to stress and crack, just my thinking. The bow I repaired had Zebrawood veneers and removing the glass didn't damage the wood. After removing the glass I lightly scraped the glue off, it had crystalized from the heat. Put it back in your form and re-cook the repaired limb.

James....................

[Bow-n-Head]

Ricky; I've removed glass on a couple of bows w/heat gun & it works just fine.  Take your time & use a knife blade to "wobble" back & forth as us you use the heat gun.  Call me if you like.  Ray  Ps - Ask Bob Snow if I can do it !!

[recurvericky]

I was planning on calling you.

[don s]

Originally posted by jess stuart:
Man that is to bad, a real bummer. Someone I believe it was here, said they drilled small holes at each end of the crack.  Only went through the glass, then filled with super glue.  Said it stopped the crack dead in its tracks.  I guess you don't really have anything to lose by trying.  As long as it ain't broke there is still hope.  Bowyers have to be a bit optimistic.  Good luck in whatever you choose to do.

that was me that suggested that. my situation was a little different though. i had a small linear crack running lengthwise in my glass. it was not going across like this one is. i drilled a small hole right where the crack ended and filled the drilled hole with epoxy. the crack did stop and still has not advanced after several years. try it. what do you have to lose. another suggestion is to ask over in the trad history/collecting forum. there is a member there that does repairs and refinishing. his name is "bow doc". i would ask there before i did anything.
                               don

[recurvericky]

I stopped by Bow-n-hands house this afternoon to borrow some C-clamps and he show me how to remove the glass lam that was damaged. Really clean job. I will now built a form for the limb that was damaged and install a new piece of glass.

[recurvericky]

I glued on the replace glass and removed the excess glass, filed the nocks. I will be doing the final sanding tomorrow.

[7 Lakes]

What kind of heat gun are you guys using that it will melt epoxy so that glass can be removed?

[ChristopherO]

7 Lakes,
Any good heat gun, not a hair blow dryer, will go 800 to 1200 degrees F.  Smoothon is usually cured at 150 to 170 degrees F.  So it won't take that much to disbond the glue joint for this repair.
Glad that worked out for you, RR.  Keep those limbs away from the bandsaw!!!  I know that is a danger when I am making the cuts for the riser handle and sight window.  I'll keep this thread in mind for that.

[don s]

i'm glad you got your bow fixed. it would be a shame if it was lost. nice job.
                               don

[Bow-n-Head]

RR; Give me a call. I want to hear the details - tiller, Z-wood appearance, yattayattayatta.  Ray