Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: sieddy on June 28, 2016, 05:34:36 am

Title: Handle pop off!
Post by: sieddy on June 28, 2016, 05:34:36 am
The handle popped off my latest build (lemonwood board with a zebrawood handle) when I was low bracing it. I was surprised cos I've recessed the belly above and below the handle and left the board full thickness (1") at that area. I just used ordinary woodglue (evo-stick exterior) which I thought would be strong enough for the handle.
Do you think I need to upgrade my glue or is it my woodworking? (oh- there was a small glue free spot in the join!) Thanks Si :-)
Title: Re: Handle pop off!
Post by: Pat B on June 28, 2016, 07:20:52 am
It's probably not the glue but the handle area is bending slightly.
Title: Re: Handle pop off!
Post by: sieddy on June 28, 2016, 07:28:26 am
Thanks Pat. If that's the case do I need to forget about having a riser?
Title: Re: Handle pop off!
Post by: PEARL DRUMS on June 28, 2016, 07:33:44 am
That handle section is too short. It needed to be about 4" longer and them blended in. Try that on your next go round.
Title: Re: Handle pop off!
Post by: Marc St Louis on June 28, 2016, 07:44:57 am
You could make that work but it depends on the specs of the bow and what you are trying to get out of it
Title: Re: Handle pop off!
Post by: sieddy on June 28, 2016, 07:58:38 am
Thanks fellas. The bow blank is 70" long 1.5" wide at the fades parallel to the last 12" inch then tapering to half inch tips. The handle area is 4" grip and 1.5" fades.
Title: Re: Handle pop off!
Post by: Badger on June 28, 2016, 08:24:36 am
  On a 70" long bow it is pretty hard to keep the handle area from wanting to flex. As said above it should have been longer and blended in over more distance.
Title: Re: Handle pop off!
Post by: sieddy on June 28, 2016, 08:30:11 am
Thanks for your input Badger. I guess I'll have to go back to the drawing board!  ::)
Title: Re: Handle pop off!
Post by: George Tsoukalas on June 28, 2016, 09:05:54 am
What PD said. Longer and blended in. Jawge
Title: Re: Handle pop off!
Post by: sieddy on June 28, 2016, 09:10:46 am
Thank you Sir  :)
Title: Re: Handle pop off!
Post by: George Tsoukalas on June 28, 2016, 09:12:41 am
Sam Harper has a nice diagram and photo of how to do a handle. Jawge
http://poorfolkbows.com/oak4.htm
Title: Re: Handle pop off!
Post by: Joec123able on June 28, 2016, 10:10:01 am
Get some tite bond 3 and reglue it
Title: Re: Handle pop off!
Post by: Dances with squirrels on June 28, 2016, 10:34:27 am
I'd make it 4" longer, groove both gluing surfaces with a toothing plane blade, and glue it with Smooth On, clamp nice and snug, and let it sit with a shop light next to it so the heat helps cure it. I usually throw a towel over it to hold in the heat.... leaving a small 'chimney' hole for some heat to escape so it doesn't roast it. Such joints are really durable and can even flex without lifting in the slightest.
Title: Re: Handle pop off!
Post by: bubbles on June 28, 2016, 10:55:51 am
You could also try layering 1/8" lams. And use a glue like smooth on or urac or resorcinol. Make sure you prep the gluing surface well and get all the old glue off.
Title: Re: Handle pop off!
Post by: Dakota Kid on June 28, 2016, 11:05:04 am
+1 on the layered laminations. It divides that force over multiple glued seems instead of just the one. I had a stubborn handle on a shorty that eventually got to say on by using lams and I stitched a square of wet(watered down TB3) raw hide over the whole handle section. It tightened right up after drying and seemed to add enough extra support to do the trick. 
Title: Re: Handle pop off!
Post by: sieddy on June 28, 2016, 11:21:41 am
Thanks again fellas. My concern with adding a longer riser is that the belly dips where the old one ended. I don't have enough thickness left to plane it down flat again so I was thinking of adding a wood backing.
Only problem with that is I slightly rounded the edges on the back!  ::)
Title: Re: Handle pop off!
Post by: bubby on June 28, 2016, 11:38:17 am
you can glue on strips of leather or rawhide and build it up then shape as you wish
Title: Re: Handle pop off!
Post by: sieddy on June 28, 2016, 11:57:34 am
Thanks Bubby I  think I might run with that to keep it simple. I've got another peice of the same wood I could try with backing next time.