What is best epoxy and process to re-attach an elk horn longbow tip overlay. After dang near 20 years I had one of my tips come off my old brackenbury oldtimer and I want to re-attach it. Can I just clamp it back on wiht 5 minute epoxy? Thanks
I would use something better then 5 minute epoxy.I use a thick super glue like Big Jim sells in his bow building section for attaching tip overlays or reattaching them.Or you you probably use a slow cure epoxy like a 24 hr. epoxy.The 5 minute epoxy is just not strong enough,it is more for general use for small projects.
Use the super glue.................
Rubber bands work well for an even glue line and a cheap and easy clamp. If you have any of the pithy anler, saturate it with superglue and sand it flat after the glue dries then glue the overlay to the tip. The pith will soak up lots of glue and can starve the glue joint if you don't seal it first.
Just another option but the last couple of tips I did I used some JB Weld. They've held up real well so far.
Without looking at it, I can only speculate that if you sand it, it won't match up correctly. The thick superglue will do a good job and likely never come off again. Clamp in place, wipe of excess (quickly), then steel wool a little to blend. Depending on curent condition, it may take a little clean up before glueing.
good luck, bigjim
5 minute epoxy will work just fine