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Main Boards => The Bowyer's Bench => Topic started by: Apex Predator on November 21, 2008, 09:22:00 AM
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Here is my latest brainstorm. I like to use lights to heat my overlay laminations when epoxying them to the bow. I have used various systems in the past and wanted something easy to set up that would store out of the way. I bought these heavy duty (250 watt rating) reflecting work lights and mounted them on a track light channel I found in a dumpster. They have 200 watt flood light bulbs. They are adjustable all along the bar for different length bows. The whole system is suspended from the ceiling on heavy cord with a uni-knot. I can adjust the height by slipping the knots to get the exact height I need. The temp varies depending on the height. Not shown in the photos are three pieces of aluminum foil underneath the overlays to serve as relectors. I can adjust the heat all the way up to well over 200 degrees, but I like 130-140 for this step. The bow is cured at 150-160. When not in use I bypass the cord and hang the eyebolts on the frame directly on the ceiling hooks. Pretty nifty, I think.
Here I am pre-heating some smooth-on to thin it a little.
(http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o203/Apex-Predator/Bow%20Building/01008build-1.jpg)
(http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o203/Apex-Predator/Bow%20Building/01008build-2.jpg)
Here is it in action curing my riser and tip overlays.
(http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o203/Apex-Predator/Bow%20Building/01008build-3.jpg)
(http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o203/Apex-Predator/Bow%20Building/01008build-4.jpg)
(http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o203/Apex-Predator/Bow%20Building/01008build-5.jpg)
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Alex, that is a nice set up. Being able to cure all three overlays at once without effecting the other lams makes it convenient. Pat
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Thanks for the pics AP, thats a nice setup.