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Main Boards => The Bowyer's Bench => Topic started by: brett morris on September 21, 2008, 05:58:00 PM

Title: Glass as backing but not on belly?
Post by: brett morris on September 21, 2008, 05:58:00 PM

Has anyone used glass backing but left the belly wood without glass?

I was going to try it but if it wont work I dont want to waste the money.

thanks,

brett

Title: Re: Glass as backing but not on belly?
Post by: Dano on September 21, 2008, 06:29:00 PM

The big problem would be the back over powering the belly, very few woods can handle it, save your money.

Title: Re: Glass as backing but not on belly?
Post by: brett morris on September 21, 2008, 06:32:00 PM

Ok thanks Dano,

I give the hickory a shot again.

Title: Re: Glass as backing but not on belly?
Post by: Jeremy on September 21, 2008, 07:54:00 PM

http://tradgang.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=125;t=000100

from a few weeks ago...

Title: Re: Glass as backing but not on belly?
Post by: Mike Byrge@home on September 22, 2008, 11:56:00 AM

I've made a half-dozen plus bows with glass on the back only.  It works fine but don't expect it to perform any better than a hickory or bamboo backed bows.

Built to the same dimensions as a hickory or 'boo backed bow it will behave the pretty much the same.  I made them with osage, Ipe, hickory and bamboo-flooring as the cores...the bows made with the boo-floor were duds but so have the hickory backed bows I made using the flooring.

I've used both smooth-on and Urac and each worked well...at least none have delaminated.  IMO it is a good way to make an inexpensive, durable bow.

**I used the natural "core tuff" glass and the last time I bought some it was only about $9 per.

Title: Re: Glass as backing but not on belly?
Post by: wingnut on October 07, 2008, 08:54:00 AM

I do this when prototyping natural bow designs.  First I make a glass backed/natural belly to test the belly and then a bamboo backed/glass belly to test the back.

Finally we build the bamboo backed/horn belly to complete the cycle.  Glass is a lot cheaper the horn.  LOL

The bows are not real performers but it does stress the non-glass side to the max.

Mike