Just wondering how many of you bowyers use rubber bands to glue up your glass bows and what you have found to use as a pressure strip?
I do. I make my pressure strip using hardboard on the inside (for its smooth finish), a layer of foam rubber (about 5mm thick to distribute pressure evenly), and then an aluminum strip the rubber bands actually press down on.
I cut inner tubes into 1" wide strips. I use an aluminum strip 1.5" wide x 72" long x 1/8" thick as a pressure strip. A thin strip of rubber to pad between glass and pressure stip.
I use rubber bands. Android no pressure strip
Refering to myself as a bowyer would be a huge stretch of anyones imagination as I am real green at this. I did use bands on my ONE glue up with great results.
I followed Marty's method, Apex Predator, to the letter. Used 1/8 aluminum with rubber glued on the side to the bow and a piece of moulding that created a radius on the top side of the aluminum to spread the pressure from the bands across the width of the limb.Worked great. I plan to stay with this method in the future with other forms.
Check out some of Marty's posts for a better idea of the pressure strips.
Take care,
Ed
Here is what I use. A bicycle inner tube can be cut into 2-3 strips, depending on the size. I tie a knot in each end.
(http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o203/Apex-Predator/Bow%20Building/Stripclamp-2.jpg)
(http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o203/Apex-Predator/Bow%20Building/Stripclamp-3.jpg)
(http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o203/Apex-Predator/Bow%20Building/Stripclamp-4.jpg)
I clamp the riser down with a c-clamp, and then start wrapping from the tips towards the riser. I use lots of rubber! Normally 12-14 strips total. I wrap it extra heavy around the riser fadeouts.
(http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o203/Apex-Predator/Bow%20Building/3-19-09-11.jpg)
(http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o203/Apex-Predator/Bow%20Building/3-19-09-10.jpg)
(http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o203/Apex-Predator/Bow%20Building/3-19-09-9.jpg)
I always do a dry run to make sure my pressure strips are positioned correctly, and that the clamps are gonna pull everything together with no air gaps (fat glue lines!). Here is one of my pressure strips. The pvc lattice on the top is to prevent the edge pressure from the clamps bowing up the center of the strips.
(http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o203/Apex-Predator/Bow%20Building/4-10-09-3.jpg)
Only on repairs. Generally, I use two thin strips of wood about 1/4" x 1.5" x 70" cut in half, and one on top 1/4" x 1.0" x 70 cut in half. Wax paper under the pressure strip, and 80 lbs pressure in hose above.
The top strip puts pressure into the center, as the hose is inflated.
If you cover the bottom strip with electrician's tape, you may dispense with wax paper, or clear wrap.