A pair of bows.

[EwokArcher]

For my mom and dad's bday I'm making them a set of matching long bows. Hers is done.


His is having a little trouble.

What's with these spots? If anything I used more glue on his than hers layering all surfaces and made a conscious effort on his to use more glue because I thought I was skimping when I put hers together.

Thanks for the input.
Ty

[Roy from Pa]

Looks like air pockets from a starved glue joint.

[EwokArcher]

I thought so too, could it be from too much pressure? I only did like 60 pounds. I'm frustrated cause I felt like I was cutting it too close on glue on my other bows so I intended to over do it and expect more squeeze out. I used about 20% more glue on thea bow with the apparent dry spots. I'm just hoping I don't have to redo his.

[monterey]

Looks like air gaps all right.  Since they run down one side, could it have been the form setup applying more pressure to one side?  Could your hose have lost pressure?

I feel for you.  That is not a good thing to see when you pull the tape off   :(  

I would attempt to do some kind of repair, although I don't have any suggestions.  I would also start another bow since it is for a VIP.

Nice looking bow there for Mom.  What are the veneers and specs on the bow?

[EwokArcher]

I got this as a board from a local exotic lumber shop. I think they called is morado  or something like that starting with an m.
I thought it was water stained upon first glance lol

I was able to get 5 lams from it.
.

[EwokArcher]

My mom's bow ended up 64 in non, 30# at 26 inches. Backed with a big ol black bull snake

[chackworth3]

Nice bows

If you used plenty of glue...  My guess would be that the air pockets are in the the riser area...  In which case your form may not be true...  Check The moisture content of the wood you used...  If you put your form in a hot box there is a chance that the air/moisture expanded and created the pockets...

[Roy from Pa]

Good point on the moisture, Shredd..

[Mad Max]

Originally posted by Roy from Pa:
Good point on the moisture, Shredd..

x3

[EwokArcher]

I appreciate the feedback everyone. Im Gonna shape up his bow and see if it can be salvaged.

[EwokArcher]

The wood is called monterillo. Just went back to the lumber store to look at some more boards. I can get about 8-10 lams out of a 19$ board if I play it right

[JamesV]

The glass can be removed with a heat gun but not usually reusable. Secure the bow and carefully heat the glass, starting at one end. Work a putty knife under the glass while heating the glass and push the knife as you heat the glass.

James

[EwokArcher]

Here is my dad's, I decided to go through with it, shot it about a hundred times with no issues or signs of expansion. He is aware of the problem to continue monitoring it till he gets a replacement.




I used India ink and tapes off areas to do the black stripes.

[mikkekeswick]

How did you secure your lams to the form before applying air pressure? Just looking at that last phopto you don't have a good glue line on the fade...that leads me to guess that you didn't have the lams in perfect contact before applying the air. That is how you get those dodgy gluelines on the riser fade. It wasn't fully in contact before filling with air. you cannot rely on the air hose to fully seat the lams. They must be in full contact before.

[EwokArcher]

I used strapping tape. Also learned from this bow that it is to my benefit to leave the belly laminations much thinner. These were approaching .16 in thickness. Made it hard to compress the lam to the curve, next time I'll go with thicker maple core and thinner belly lams, that will help a lot with this fade issue.