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Main Boards => The Bowyer's Bench => Topic started by: ChristopherO on April 30, 2009, 02:04:00 PM

Title: Formica Laminates and Bows?
Post by: ChristopherO on April 30, 2009, 02:04:00 PM

Just musing on the fact that a friend of mine has a whole stack of 4x8 sheets of formica countertop laminates that need a home.  For $5.00 a sheet he wants to sell them.  Now, having used this material in some kitchen remodels I don't suspect it would have the snap back to it that fiberglass laminations do.  But, it is resilent and plyable.   Could it make a decent bow lam?  Just a thought.  It may just be dead weight, too.
Anyone else ever thought of this?

Title: Re: Formica Laminates and Bows?
Post by: Talonzz on April 30, 2009, 02:07:00 PM

So weird...   I was just going to ask the same question. I work at a Cabinet/Fixture shop and we have tons of left over Laminate.

Title: Re: Formica Laminates and Bows?
Post by: OkKeith on April 30, 2009, 02:35:00 PM

Well... my experience with this stuff  makes me think it might make a decent backing for a bow. It might not stretch very much so may blow off with the first full draw.

I don't think it would work on the belly since it compresses less than it stretches.

Then again, whats 5 bucks for an experiment?

OkKeith

Title: Re: Formica Laminates and Bows?
Post by: Talonzz on April 30, 2009, 04:19:00 PM

Titebond? You Think?   or Smooth-On?

Title: Re: Formica Laminates and Bows?
Post by: bjansen on April 30, 2009, 05:48:00 PM

i think it will work...for a straighter limbed longbow...i always wondered myself...id love to hear the results.

Title: Re: Formica Laminates and Bows?
Post by: Roconman on April 30, 2009, 09:33:00 PM

I tried it once on a good Red Oak board,it snapped at mid limb on the tillering tree at about 16".When that stuff is glued down it won't bend,it just sheered off and took the limb with it.Broke my heart,I had some beautiful wood grain formica and it really looked nice before it blew.

Title: Re: Formica Laminates and Bows?
Post by: ChristopherO on May 02, 2009, 05:43:00 PM

Roconman,
EXCELLENT reply!  Thank you for chiming in and sharing with us your results.
Question Answered.

Title: Re: Formica Laminates and Bows?
Post by: Pat B on May 04, 2009, 01:33:00 PM

Formica is not structored for bending. It is made to lay flat. There are too many other backing materials out there that have been proven worthy for bow backings.