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Main Boards => The Bowyer's Bench => Topic started by: canshooter on February 22, 2009, 09:26:00 PM

Title: Help...is it repairable?
Post by: canshooter on February 22, 2009, 09:26:00 PM
Last fall I made an Oak Board Bow, I backed it with 3 layers of fibreglass drywall tape. I have shot the bow several hundred times but the last time I heard a crack and on inspection the fibreglass tape has split and there is a small surface split in the wood. Could I sand it down and reback the bow with bamboo to salvage it, or am I wasting my time.
Title: Re: Help...is it repairable?
Post by: bjansen on February 22, 2009, 09:29:00 PM
Could you post a picture of it?
Title: Re: Help...is it repairable?
Post by: Pat B on February 22, 2009, 11:26:00 PM
Adding a stronger backing will only stress the red oak belly more. Time to start a new bow. IMO
 Why would you use 3 layers of fiber glass dry wall tape for a backing? Is one layer not enough?
It would be for silk, linen or heavy paper!
Title: Re: Help...is it repairable?
Post by: canshooter on February 23, 2009, 09:25:00 AM
It was my first bow and I followed Sam Harpers build along. It asked for 3 layers of fibre glass wall tape so that is what I used. I still cant figure out why it failed. I will try to get some pictures to post.
Title: Re: Help...is it repairable?
Post by: canshooter on February 23, 2009, 07:07:00 PM
The damage can be seen in these images:

 http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y228/Dryfly1958/Bow%20stuff/rightside.jpg?t=1235433963

 http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y228/Dryfly1958/Bow%20stuff/leftside.jpg?t=1235433981

 http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y228/Dryfly1958/Bow%20stuff/backingcrack.jpg?t=1235434001
Title: Re: Help...is it repairable?
Post by: canshooter on February 23, 2009, 07:10:00 PM
BTW, AS you can see from my other post "how best to use this hickory board" I have taken Pat B's advise to heart and a new bow will shortly be underway...this stuff is more addictive than crack!
Title: Re: Help...is it repairable?
Post by: Roy Steele on February 23, 2009, 10:45:00 PM
I agree with PAT three layers is a bit much unless it's a 100# bow.Then it can't be a board.
  Start another bow or if you like it and it still shoots good just keep shooting that one,it might have a lot of arrows left in it.I'd shoot it untill I could'nt.