Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Onebowonder on March 01, 2017, 01:49:34 pm
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Obviously, I'm asking about using this type of joint for putting a pair of billets together. I just don't know if anyone has done such before. I can be something of a Klutz with my Japanese Pull Saw, so sometimes I have difficulty getting the Z or W splice cut out just right. I'm thinking, (aka hoping) my machinery might be a bit more accurate with such precise cutting than the owner. :o ;D ;)
OneBow
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Why not?
As long as the fingers are long enough and the joint stays in a relatively stiff unbending handle section, I see no problems with it. Say, 3" of overlap and some good glue? Maybe an overlay on the front? Maybe leave even extra mass in the handle?
I wouldn't do it with, say, a finger-jointer bit and a router. But, I bet even with a careful hand, a jig, and a tablesaw, you'd be ok.
Although, I do tend to wrap anything I have questions about. You know, say, a little serving of thin polyester stitching cord under the leather grip.........
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You're just exchanging one problem for another. Practice your cutting ability.
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I got an 8" piece of 1x2 and cut it into 8" pieces. Then basically spliced it all back together. I was pretty good by the last one. I was using a band saw but it's a pretty poor excuse for a band saw.
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In my experience, you will just fail faster :)
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Gary Davis has a good tip about leaving the points square when you cut.
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There's a secret to getting the fingers to match up - I'm still trying to find it😀👹😂!
Hawkdancer
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Once you get your splices cut steam then, push the joint together, clamp it and let it cool. By steaming and clamping both sides of the splice will mate up perfectly for the glue-up.
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You can modify your tapers after cutting if they don't fit well. Clean up the inside cuts with some sandpaper stuck to a thin card scraper etc.
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Thanx guys. Good advice all around. -OneBow
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Haven't attempted spliced bow yet , but I'm gonna remember that trick Pat B.😏
Bjrogg
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No need to steam if you do an accurate job of cutting. Takes 2-3 minutes with a bandsaw. No secrets. If you can be more specific with your issues, we can be more specific with solutions.
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Never did it but I would imagine if you made a jig to hold the limbs vertical across the blades it would work, strength wise would be strong joint !
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I have steamed a few bad splice fits but use dry heat most of the time, quick and easy.
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If you're like me and can't saw a straight line even with a band saw the steaming trick was a Godsend :D :D
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Stickbender is on to something. I keep a piece of 3" steel angle at my bandsaw, several inches long, and if I can't get the bottom side of a billet perfectly flat and square to the blade of the saw in preparation so that it can be slid on the saw's table naked and alone, I mount/clamp it overhanging the steel angle a bit more than the length of the handle, so while the bottom face of the angle rides flat on the saw's table.... all cuts are made in precisely parallel planes to the blade. When done this way on both billets, they mate very nicely and no further corrections or reinforcements are necessary.
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Dado blades were made for board stock. Watch your fingers.
Jawge