Trad Gang

Main Boards => The Bowyer's Bench => Topic started by: matts2 on March 27, 2011, 10:31:00 PM

Title: 1st Glass Bow
Post by: matts2 on March 27, 2011, 10:31:00 PM

Got my first attempt at a glass R/D bow done.  Talk about a lesson learned deal.  I will be changing a lot of things on my next one.  But that is the name of the game.  

This is all actionboo with .030 glass, black on back and clear in belly.  Riser is cherry with 4 wenge veneers laminated with the arch pattern.  My original goal for this bow was 50 pounds.  I had to do a ton of sanding on the limbs to get it down to 60 and was scared to go down any further.  I figured after sanding it all down, I would loose a few pounds.  But it ended up at 60# at 29".  The bow is 64" ntn.  Its my first and like I said, I learned a lot.  A few things got messed up on the forming, like the riser slipping to one side a little bit.  I had to take a little more off one limb then the other to make it tiller, but it all worked out and it shoots good.  It ended up with a bit of positive tiller because of this.  Oh well, I will keep it.

Tips are Indian water buffalo.

 (http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb262/MSCustomCalls/025.jpg)
 (http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb262/MSCustomCalls/012.jpg)
 (http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb262/MSCustomCalls/013.jpg)
 (http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb262/MSCustomCalls/014.jpg)
 (http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb262/MSCustomCalls/022.jpg)

Title: Re: 1st Glass Bow
Post by: Roy from Pa on March 27, 2011, 10:54:00 PM

Looks real nice. To reduce weight, you could also narrow the limbs a bit. I've heard it's not wise to sand the back and belly on glass bows. Geeze, how many lams did you glue together?

Title: Re: 1st Glass Bow
Post by: matts2 on March 27, 2011, 11:09:00 PM

There are 4 lams with .030 glass.

Title: Re: 1st Glass Bow
Post by: Roy from Pa on March 27, 2011, 11:38:00 PM

How many layers on the tips 7?

Title: Re: 1st Glass Bow
Post by: aric on March 28, 2011, 07:41:00 AM

Looks really nice to me. add some washers to your form to hold your stack in place. it makes a huge difference

Title: Re: 1st Glass Bow
Post by: SEMO_HUNTER on March 28, 2011, 07:58:00 AM

I think it looks real nice Matt. Pretty good job for your first one and we all have problems starting out.


Roy still can't build a decent bow, but he just keeps pluggin away at it.   :knothead:

Title: Re: 1st Glass Bow
Post by: matts2 on March 28, 2011, 08:21:00 AM

Roy, that pic of the tip does look like it has a bunch more layers in it, but its still the 4.  

I have stops on the form to keep everything aligned, that wasn't the problem.  The riser just slid off center.  I will just take more time while airing up the hose and make sure it all stays centered next time.

Title: Re: 1st Glass Bow
Post by: Trux Turning on March 28, 2011, 10:05:00 AM

Very Nice!!

Title: Re: 1st Glass Bow
Post by: bjansen on March 28, 2011, 11:59:00 AM

Nice job Matt...your finish sanding is great...I can tell your a turner.

You must have used horizontal laminated boo flooring, which makes it appear as there are more lams than the 4.

Title: Re: 1st Glass Bow
Post by: matts2 on March 28, 2011, 12:01:00 PM

Thanks Brad.  
Yes I used the flooring and there are probably some pieces that ended up having two layers in the finished lam.

Title: Re: 1st Glass Bow
Post by: red hill on March 28, 2011, 06:36:00 PM

Looks really nice, Matt. I'd keep it, too.
Stan

Title: Re: 1st Glass Bow
Post by: NYArrow on March 28, 2011, 07:06:00 PM

Excellent job! Hope my first lam bow can turn out half that nice. How does it shoot?

Title: Re: 1st Glass Bow
Post by: matts2 on March 28, 2011, 07:10:00 PM

Thanks all.

I started shooting it tonight and love it.  This thing is fast.  Granted I am only 20ft away in the shop.

Title: Re: 1st Glass Bow
Post by: don s on March 29, 2011, 02:14:00 PM

i would be happy if my first turned out like that.don

Title: Re: 1st Glass Bow
Post by: kennym on March 29, 2011, 09:42:00 PM

Good job Matt!!  :thumbsup:    :thumbsup:

Title: Re: 1st Glass Bow
Post by: D on March 29, 2011, 10:55:00 PM

I put a ball valve in the end of my hose.  Just chuck the hose on and turn the handle.  I did it so I could ease air in it so I could make sure everything lined up good.

Title: Re: 1st Glass Bow
Post by: JamesV on March 31, 2011, 01:03:00 PM

Matt..........

I use two sprigs to anchor the riser in the center, then wrap the entire bow with shrink wrap after glue up.