Break in Yew sapwood

wildcat hunter · February 14, 2012, 03:03:00 PM

While working a 6' long Yew bow I heard a crack one foot from the end. The sapwood is what cracked but the tiller is way off now. I think Yew is beautiful with the sapwood on it and want to fix it. The crack is tight ( covers about 1 - 1 1/2" ) and I could work something in there with a syringe and needle I think. I know, might be a wall hanger! What glue would be the "best" for this job, I have Hide, TB3, Epoxy, Gorilla and thick Crazy glues here. I get only 1 shot at this. I wonder if I should wrap it also.
Ideas.

Pat B · February 14, 2012, 04:08:00 PM

If the backed failed I don't think any glue will fix it. Can you remove the sapwood and still make a bow? If not, remove the sapwood and add a hickory backing. You will get the same visual effect.

wildcat hunter · February 14, 2012, 06:06:00 PM

Thanks Pat B

Bert Frelink · February 14, 2012, 07:05:00 PM

Just a suggestion, glue the "crack" with Loctite 420 and then back it with rawhide and send it to Pat for some "Cave" drawings.
Good luck.
Bert.

Jake Fr · February 14, 2012, 08:37:00 PM

I bet that bow glue from rudder bow would do the trick

Diamondback59 · February 15, 2012, 12:53:00 AM

id glue it w loctie 495 then wrap with sinew or rawhide back it iv done it befor and theyr still shootin brock

Pat B · February 15, 2012, 08:39:00 AM

Does the crack run with the grain or across the grain? If with the grain is not as critical as across the back. Yew has pretty elastic, tough sapwood in tention terms. IMO if it broke across the grain then rot got into the sapwood before it was dry. Even though yew is rot resistant the sapwood will rot if not properly handled.

wildcat hunter · February 15, 2012, 08:59:00 AM

Its across the grain and down,The limb is about 1" at the break point and its about the size of a dime that came loose. Its not up all the way across. Its not just a crack, the break runs "under" between the 2 woods ( sapwood and heartwood ) for about 5/8" towards the grip.

Pat B · February 15, 2012, 09:07:00 AM

Can you post pics. There are cracks and there are cracks, there are breaks and there are breaks. Will you post pics so we can see what the problem is. It almost sounds like a grain island has popped loose. If so, that is not so bad!

wildcat hunter · February 15, 2012, 02:49:00 PM

I'll try ,

wildcat hunter · February 15, 2012, 03:37:00 PM

When I try to size it I get "out of memory 24" ??????????????????????

wildcat hunter · February 15, 2012, 03:39:00 PM

Oh my gorsh, how do I delete it and make it smaller?

wildcat hunter · February 15, 2012, 10:28:00 PM

Thanks

Pat B · February 15, 2012, 10:32:00 PM

It looks like a grain island that lifted. Squirt some super glue under the flap and clamp it until the glue hardens, sand the area smooth and add a wrap. That should hold it down.

wildcat hunter · February 15, 2012, 10:47:00 PM

Thanks, I'll try that.

Pat B · February 16, 2012, 08:38:00 AM

Even blurry pics help explain situations better than just words. d;^)

wildcat hunter · February 27, 2012, 05:55:00 PM

Well, I glued it down, waited a few days and strung it up. There is a hinge there but I drew it about 22" and didn't have any trouble. Its a beautiful piece of wood so I backed it with "faux" snake skin and will put a leather grip on it and finish it. Its a "wall-hanger". Picture coming when its done.