Another attempt at a laminate longbow

Beazley hunter · January 18, 2018, 01:41:00 AM

Crittergetter why do you suggest I reinforce my tips with G10 or phenolic? Is the glass backing with wood overlays not enough? Is the wood a weak spot?

Beazley hunter · January 20, 2018, 10:59:00 PM

Alright guys I just ordered the materials. I'll start getting stuff prepared and I'll post along the way. Thanks for all the help and advice.

Beazley hunter · February 05, 2018, 01:57:00 PM

Ok guys I've been kind of busy with other things but I'm back now. I planned on building a prototype first but I can't seem to cut laminates that have any consistency whatsoever. So I built a hot box that seems to hold steady at 180° and last night I cut the riser out of my block of bocote and ground and glued a pair of tapered action boo laminates. My bocote veneers are 0.030", should I attempt to grind and glue them together also? Seems like I'd splinter them pretty good but wanted to know what everybody else does. Anyways, I'm going to make a few adjustments to close some small gaps in the glue line and hopefully have it glued and in the hot box today. Pictures to follow......

Bvas · February 05, 2018, 03:47:00 PM

I would glue them together. If not, they will want to push apart when you do your glue up.

kennym · February 05, 2018, 05:39:00 PM

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Yep, scarf them like that except a longer angle...

I go probably 60* , on a .030 veneer the grind is about a quarter inch long.

Beazley hunter · February 05, 2018, 05:55:00 PM

Beazley hunter · February 05, 2018, 05:56:00 PM

Here's a few dry run pics

Bvas · February 05, 2018, 06:19:00 PM

I like the idea of the clamps at the ends of the belly lams. But I don't think you will need the clamp at the end of the fades. The hardest place to get pressure will be about where your washers are located in the deepest part of the radius.

Also, you should create a high spot in the middle of your pressure strip. I glued a piece of two wire lamp cord the length of the pressure strip with contact cement. If not, the bands will pull more pressure on the edges of the pressure strip.

Beazley hunter · February 05, 2018, 06:20:00 PM

Ok just ground and glued the veneers. Next pics will have glue. Hope this goes as planned.

Beazley hunter · February 05, 2018, 06:25:00 PM

Bvas, good point. I hadn't thought about that. I'll be wrapping 1/4 rope across the top of the land and around each dowel and then driving heavy duplex nails between the rope and pressure strip once I'm done. Will the nails serve the purpose of a high point? Thanks for the heads up

Bvas · February 05, 2018, 06:36:00 PM

Maybe????LOL

Did you attempt this on a dry run?

mwosborn · February 05, 2018, 07:02:00 PM

Dry run looks good! What are you using for the "red" colored pressure strip?

kennym · February 05, 2018, 07:32:00 PM

Looks good! Like brad said try everything you plan to do at glue up during dry run.

Something tells me the glue up is going on now ....

Beazley hunter · February 05, 2018, 08:38:00 PM

Ok, I did use the rope and nails during the dry run. The red strip under the pressure strip is 1/8" rubber. I just finished gluing it up. The only problem was during the dry run THERE'S NO GLUE! I had a hell of a time keeping everything from sliding around. I fought it for lounger than I wanted to and the sides still don't line up like I wanted them to. We'll see how it turns out. Its in the hot box now. I forgot to take pictures before putting it in. I'll have pictures when I take it out. I plan to heat at 180° for 4 hours and then leave it in overnight to cool off slowly.

kennym · February 05, 2018, 08:52:00 PM

Your washers need to be big enough to catch all lams and oressure strip. Sorry I didn't see that before!

Beazley hunter · February 05, 2018, 08:57:00 PM

I should have caught it myself. I think it will work. Worst case scenario I guess it will be 1 3/8" wide.

kennym · February 05, 2018, 09:05:00 PM

I learn or relearn something on every one it seems!

Bvas · February 05, 2018, 09:14:00 PM

QuoteOriginally posted by Beazley hunter:
The only problem was during the dry run THERE'S NO GLUE! I had a hell of a time keeping everything from sliding around.

ea-40.....aka-bow snot. How can things slip around so much with something designed to hold them together :confused:

Beazley hunter · February 05, 2018, 10:49:00 PM

Has anybody ever had riser and laminates not line up perfectly? If so, what did you do to remedy it?

fujimo · February 06, 2018, 12:48:00 AM

oh ya_ i have had that :mad: :mad:
the toothpick in the riser trick helps the most.
center lines on the riser, and corresponding lines on the form.
side straps.
airing the hose up in #5 increments-over 1/2hr