BBO almost done...then.....HELP!!

[lovethehunt]

I started this BBO last weekend and came along way during the week. I was way over weight and brought that down to about 65@28, I am looking for something close to 55@28. I left the riser as a 12" block during my initial tiller and then shaped that before final tiller and weight reduction. This bow is 66" ntn with a bamboo back, .120 Ipe, .180-.002 taper osage and .210 prallel osage. I left about 1.5-2" of the limbs full thickness before the riser to keep this from happening but I guess that was not enough. When I put the bow back on the rope to check it one last time before final sanding the riser started to pull off. I am thinking that filling the joint with CA glue is the best option but am looking for advice before proceeding. I glued this one up with 2.25" reflex in it on the tips and its coming back to straight verey nicely and I am really happy with the bow until now. This is my 5th attempt at an all wood bow. They are great fun but I have not had this problem with glass bows. I must not be doing something right, I had 2 others do this, one is still alive after the CA trick, the other developed a spinter on the back.


this is the top of the riser above the sight window

shape of the riser

These tips turned out pretty nice

Thanks for your help,

Todd

[okie64]

Its a great looking bow. I would say if the handle is starting to pull off when you draw it then eventually it is going to come off completely. I dont think ca glue will fix it but you could try it. I used to build a few trilams and i always put a powerlam between the back and the core that extended out  a couple of inches past the handle. If you left the limbs full thickness a couple inches outside the handle then that should be serving the same purpose as the powerlam. It may be bending too much too close to the handle. I would like to see a pic of it being drawn or on the tree.

[okie64]

Its a great looking bow. I would say if the handle is starting to pull off when you draw it then eventually it is going to come off completely. I dont think ca glue will fix it but you could try it. I used to build a few trilams and i always put a powerlam between the back and the core that extended out  a couple of inches past the handle. If you left the limbs full thickness a couple inches outside the handle then that should be serving the same purpose as the powerlam. It may be bending too much too close to the handle. I would like to see a pic of it being drawn or on the tree.

[lovethehunt]

The bow does appear to be bending all the way to the handle, whats crazy is that it didn't do it right away. I may try the CA glue first before going back on the tree.

[kentowl]

lovethehunt: I'm not a laminated bow guy, but doing wood bows I know we have to have a radius on the belly piece to keep handles from breaking off. On your bow I can't see anything that prevents the bend from putting stress on the glue join. I think okie64 has the solution, but tough to do that now. Perhaps you can try a stronger laminating glue like smooth-on EA40?

[PEARL DRUMS]

As stated you have no fades. You said your bow is 65# right now and you want 50#'ish. Thats allot of weight to reduce yet and allot of material to move. Brace your at 2-3" and snap a pic. If your near handle area is stiff you can get a decent fade started there and reduce weight at the same time. You may end up with a 45# bow by the time a fade is started. You gotta stop that bend 1-2" short of your grip.