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Main Boards => The Bowyer's Bench => Topic started by: foamer01 on February 03, 2009, 05:43:00 PM

Title: Foam Core???
Post by: foamer01 on February 03, 2009, 05:43:00 PM

I notice a few builders @ Kalamazoo Expo using foam cores in their bows. What is the main purpose for using this type of material. Thanks for your help and ideas.

Title: Re: Foam Core???
Post by: Dan Bonner on February 04, 2009, 09:50:00 PM

Its pretty light for its thickness and its reputed to have sound dampening properties. In a synthetic rig the outer lams (glass or carbon) act like an I-beam. The farther the outher lams are apart the stronger the beam will be. The foam's advantage is that it seperates the outer parts of the "beam" and produces more draw weight with less mass than most core material.

The downside is it tends to  develop micro cracks at the areas where the limb bends the most. Don't know how long the limbs will last.

Bonner

Title: Re: Foam Core???
Post by: Dick in Seattle on February 04, 2009, 10:00:00 PM

What kind of foam is used?  Is it available to home bowyers and if so from where?

Title: Re: Foam Core???
Post by: inrut on February 05, 2009, 07:22:00 AM

Google syntactic foam. This is not a "foam" that most people associate the word foam with. This will give the information you are looking for.

Title: Re: Foam Core???
Post by: Shaun on February 05, 2009, 04:07:00 PM

Old Master Crafters is selling foam lams ~ $35 per pair.

Title: Re: Foam Core???
Post by: talltines on February 05, 2009, 10:22:00 PM

Does OMC have an email address?