air hose bow form without a top

arachnid · April 15, 2018, 03:17:40 PM

Hi Guys.

Did anyone use an air hose form without the top part? i remember seeing such a form here some time ago (the guy
used a rop, I think, to secure the hose on the laminations and then he pumped the air).
Any pros/cons? I would think this kind of form would be more versatile, allowing more then one riser design.

Your thoughts?

kennym · April 15, 2018, 03:29:06 PM

I did a kids bow to test it, and it worked ok, but the fades had a bit of glue line. I would double wrap the rope there because the rope is gonna stretch or at least get the slack out of it when you air up.

I used the braided poly rope like ski rope because I didn't think it would stretch, and it prob didn't.

I may try it again soon, forms are lighter to handle and if it works , it works!

arachnid · April 15, 2018, 03:32:00 PM

Thanks Kenny. Good to hear it works.
Building a double sided form seems like a pain in the butt....

Anyone else have some experience or thoughts?

PV · April 16, 2018, 08:39:36 AM

Met a bowyer in VT that uses a steel strap that he bends over his knee to match the profile of the form. His glue lines were good. Don't remember how he attached it to the form.

C. Johnson · April 16, 2018, 01:03:46 PM

I've experimented with this too.

I like a pneumatic form for the even distribution of pressure, but I think it's somewhat limiting. Also, they tend to be massive and I have only a small shop. I was debating using 1/8" (3mm) coated steel cable in place of the rope to avoid issues with stretching. Never got that far though.

I know I'm the odd man out here, but I honestly prefer clamps. The only downside to clamps is tightening them enough to get a good joint, but not so much that I squeeze all the glue out or dimple the fiberglass. I have it pretty well worked out now, but it took a while to get there.

Currently, I'm experimenting with using 1/8" steel pressure strips in place of the aluminum I currently use. This, coupled with C clamps modified by welding a nut in place of the cross handle will allow me to use a torque wrench to set them exactly the same without dimpling the fiberglass if I get carried away.

I'll let you guys know how it works out.

monterey · April 16, 2018, 01:12:41 PM

I would like to see how you do your clamps. Most of mine are done with the rubber band system but I'm thinking of going to clamps.

mwosborn · April 16, 2018, 06:01:01 PM

Here is a video if the link works.

https://www.facebook.com/RusticArcher/videos/1280048622140643/

monterey · April 16, 2018, 07:41:39 PM

Link works fine and it's very informative. I like the versatility gained by not having to match a top form to a limited design. The rubber band method allows that as does your method and I'm sure that clamps are equally versatile.

Still rethinking My rubber band system. Clamps or your hose method would be adaptable to my forms.

Thanks for taking the time to do the video and post it.

mwosborn · April 16, 2018, 08:16:00 PM

Mike - not my video. I believe it is Wade Morris from the rustic archer. He posts a lot of how to videos on FB. I have watched several for various ideas and remembered this one. I have never tried this method. My forms all have a top - but I do like the idea. I think a guy would have to be real careful on what you use for cordage. You would not want much stretch.

rockkiller · April 16, 2018, 09:31:20 PM

thanks for posting video. I have a life time suppley of mule tape and will have to try this out.

C. Johnson · April 17, 2018, 08:59:22 AM

A little off topic, but while we're on the subject of forms....

I did my first bows with the rubber band method and I found that surgical tubing seemed to work much better than cut up inner tubes.

I still use it on occasion for clamping grip overlays.

Roy from Pa · April 17, 2018, 09:15:33 AM

Rock, send me some of that mule tape.

I wanna tape up ole KennyM..

Kenny Mule....

Crooked Stic · April 17, 2018, 11:56:05 AM

You need to go ahead and put an inline air pressure regulator and preset it for the pressure you want. eliminates the checker gauge.

Crooked Stic · April 17, 2018, 12:01:00 PM

Roy I imagine that would be something to see for sure. If ya promise to video it I will send the tape.

Roy from Pa · April 17, 2018, 02:15:36 PM

I promise...

LOL

Forwardhandle · April 17, 2018, 03:49:42 PM

Thanks for posting that vid it simplifies things & cheaper !

goobersan · April 17, 2018, 08:42:38 PM

Arachnid, here's another way
"https://youtu.be/r_4cbfw8Q88"

Thanks Roy

Roy from Pa · April 17, 2018, 08:43:11 PM

Shore...

rockkiller · April 17, 2018, 11:31:52 PM

Roy nd Mike
You boys are getting out of my comfort zone

Roy from Pa · April 18, 2018, 06:33:52 AM

Ah heck Rock, don't tell me ya wouldn't get a chuckle out of ole Kenny being taped up wif mule tape?