Trad Gang

Main Boards => The Bowyer's Bench => Topic started by: veyonyx on October 18, 2016, 07:10:00 PM

Title: First attempt at bowyery
Post by: veyonyx on October 18, 2016, 07:10:00 PM

Hello all, I've been researching for months now and appreciate the wealth of knowledge and support Trad Gang offers.
I glued up my first bow last weekend and am a little concerned about a small gap between the backing and core.
On the bottom limb I can see a gap spanning 5 inches with a max width of 1mm.
What are your thoughts? Is this trash or can it salvaged?    (http://imgur.com/GCl22WZ)
Bamboo backed white ash with bacote riser and tagua nut tip overlays.

Title: Re: First attempt at bowyery
Post by: KenH on October 18, 2016, 07:26:00 PM

Is this a wood-glass composite bow?  Or a wood-wood bow without fiberglass?

Have you already sanded/ground the tapers in the limbs from the fades to the tips?  If not, I would do so before messing about with any attempts to fill.  The tapering process may eliminate the gap.  

If the width taper is already done, you can fill the gap with "superglue" and at least get started on the tillering process.  If it breaks during tillering, look on the process as a lesson learned.

Title: Re: First attempt at bowyery
Post by: veyonyx on October 18, 2016, 07:35:00 PM

(http://i.imgur.com/GCl22WZ.jpg)

Title: Re: First attempt at bowyery
Post by: veyonyx on October 18, 2016, 07:38:00 PM

Sorry, this is my first post and was having a hard time getting the picture to load.
I filed the taper last night but left a little room for adjustment if needed.
The bow is wood-wood with Superbond EA40.
Good point about the tillering process. Thanks.

Title: Re: First attempt at bowyery
Post by: Roy from Pa on October 18, 2016, 08:17:00 PM

Shucks, that gap is nothing to worry about.

Title: Re: First attempt at bowyery
Post by: Msturm on October 19, 2016, 02:26:00 AM

Glue line looks pretty decent to me!

Title: Re: First attempt at bowyery
Post by: macbow on October 19, 2016, 10:31:00 AM

Doen't look bad at all. CA (superglue)'works well to fill voids then just sand smooth.
On bigger gaps sanding dust and super glue.

Title: Re: First attempt at bowyery
Post by: BMorv on October 19, 2016, 11:19:00 AM

I agree with the other post.  That looks like a normal glue line.  
When I do my final sanding, I round over the edges of the bamboo to have a smooth transition and reduce the possibility of fibers lifting, and that normally reduces the visibility of the glue line.
It's not related to your question, but it looks like your bamboo is a little thicker than 1/8" an inch.  It may not affect this bow, but I would consider it on your next bow.  Especially if you intend to use a stronger belly wood in the future.  The tips of your belly wood will be very thin with 1/4" of bamboo.

Title: Re: First attempt at bowyery
Post by: LittleBen on October 20, 2016, 09:04:00 AM

It may not be perfect, but the issue is purely aesthetic and shouldn't affect function IMO.

keep moving along! Good luck