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Main Boards => The Bowyer's Bench => Topic started by: Greg Szalewski on February 19, 2011, 08:24:00 PM

Title: Antler Tip Overlay Help Needed
Post by: Greg Szalewski on February 19, 2011, 08:24:00 PM
I am helping a friend build a bow and he wants antler tip overlays on It. I have never done this before and would appreciate any help. Pictures would help also. So far we have the limbs glued and rough tillered. Riser is roughed out and he is contouring every thing to his liking.

Thanks to Kenny for the prompt service and awesome lams. We really like the lams. My wife wants one like that now.

(http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh38/gszalewski/Winter2011046.jpg)
Look at that smile. He CAN see the bow in there.
Title: Re: Antler Tip Overlay Help Needed
Post by: DVSHUNTER on February 19, 2011, 08:33:00 PM
I cut the antler with a coping saw and the file it pretty flat. I use a big file and slide the antler over it with my fingers. Then I do the same thing on a piece of 80grit sand paper until the two surfaces match cleanly together. Then superglue them together and hold in place with my finger untol they set. After that I just file them to shape and you're good to go. Sorry no pics.
Title: Re: Antler Tip Overlay Help Needed
Post by: Holm-Made on February 20, 2011, 01:38:00 AM
Glueing antler onto the radiused surface of the recurve will be tricky at best.  It will have to be very thin to conform.  In my opinion, antler tips are better left to longbows.  Antler doesn't accept glue as well as phenolic, fiberglass or wood.  I'd use smooth on epoxy over super glue.  Chad
Title: Re: Antler Tip Overlay Help Needed
Post by: Swissbow on February 20, 2011, 04:02:00 AM
I have glued antler tips on recurves and longbows and it worked very well so far. On the recurves I sand the antler until it fits the curve of the limbs. Then I glue it with super glue and never had any problems. Usually I add a thin piece of phenol between the glass and the antler because I think it looks nicer that way.

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Andy