Changing a grip shape

[Goshawkin]

I prefer a straight or very slightly dished grip on my bows. Not too many of the bows I collect were made,so I can't be picky about the grip shape when I find one for sale. I've found a few with locator grips(which I hate!) and bought them anyway. I've tried changing the grips with glued in leather in the past,worked ok,but not great.
I just tried apoxie sculpt putty on a couple bows and had perfect results.Give me a minute and I'll get some pics up.

[Goshawkin]

I changed this,

[Goshawkin]

To this,

[Goshawkin]

I'll post some pics I took while working on the grip.Could take a little bit though,Photobucket doesn't want to cooperate this morning!  

[Goshawkin]

Here's the bow with the leather wrap off,you can see how much I have to fill. I wrap the bow with paper and painters tape up to the mark from the wrap to protect the rest of the finish.You don't even really have to,as the Apoxie will clean off with just water before it cures,but I didn't want to mess with it.

[Goshawkin]

Here's the Apoxie mixed and put on the bow. I put on a little extra,so I can sand it down to the exact shape I want. If you put water on your finger,you can feather the edges right into the wood.A little sanding and you can't even feel the transition from the wood to Apoxie. I take the metal ruler and push it down through the Apoxie until it hits the limbs.This way I can see where dead center is the whole time I'm sanding out the shape I want.

[Green]

Very useful info here.  Thanks for posting this as I have one bow I'd like to take to a straight handle.

[Goshawkin]

Put on a new wrap and sideplate and you're good to go. You can't even tell that it's not wood under the wrap.WAY easier than how I used to do it with leather and glue.
I mix up a little more Apoxie than I think I'll need,just so I don't come up short.Instead of throwing it away each time,I made a few things.
Here's a candy I made to put in a box of chocolates for my mother in law,and a puppy "deposit" to put on the new rug for my wife to find. Always good to do things like that once and a while, keeps 'em on their toes! LOL!!
   

[yaderehey]

What is the brand of putty you are using.  Looks like a good way to modify a grip!

[Canadian Idle]

Originally posted by yaderehey:
What is the brand of putty you are using.  Looks like a good way to modify a grip!

Hey Nick, I like your sense of Humour. LOL. I wonder what the mother in law would do if you put the puppy-do in the box of chocolates    

Lloyd

[TxAg]

Originally posted by Goshawkin:
Put on a new wrap and sideplate and you're good to go. You can't even tell that it's not wood under the wrap.WAY easier than how I used to do it with leather and glue.
I mix up a little more Apoxie than I think I'll need,just so I don't come up short.Instead of throwing it away each time,I made a few things.
Here's a candy I made to put in a box of chocolates for my mother in law,and a puppy "deposit" to put on the new rug for my wife to find. Always good to do things like that once and a while, keeps 'em on their toes! LOL!!
   

   

That got a chuckle out of me,

[South MS Bowhunter]

Me too!  

[Brianlocal3]

Nick,
Great job on the grip re-do. That is how I have been doing them also. There was a thread a while back where you showed your leather trick which was also helpful.  

The putty just works perfect though!!

[Goshawkin]

Originally posted by yaderehey:
What is the brand of putty you are using.  Looks like a good way to modify a grip!

I'm using Aves Apoxie sculpt.I talked to them,explained what I was doing and that was the product they recommended.
www.avesstudio.com

I was threatened with bodily harm if the pup messed on the rug,so I HAD to do the prank!   :D

[Goshawkin]

Originally posted by Brianlocal3:
Nick,
Great job on the grip re-do. That is how I have been doing them also. There was a thread a while back where you showed your leather trick which was also helpful.  

The putty just works perfect though!!

Dang Brian,I must be getting old,I don't even remember posting about the leather/glue! It works good also,but you're right,this putty is the way to go.

[TGbow]

Great idea, cant even tell you've done anything to the grip with the wrap on.

[stik&string]

Love the post and the sense of humor!!!

[Butchie]

Great idea and info...thanks!  Would love to be there when your MIL bites into that "candy".    :eek:

[JohnI]

Amazing Nick,I also like the bow you did the job on.

[Goshawkin]

LOL! Thanks guys. Butchie,that "candy" probably won't even slow that old bird down!

JohnI, Thanks.    

Oh,I forgot to put in that the Apoxie has a 2-3 hour work time,so it's real easy to get it to where you won't need much sanding before it sets up.You don't have to be in a rush with it,like some other materials I've tried.