Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: IrishJay on April 11, 2019, 01:32:45 pm
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Is TB good for whitetail antler or should I use some sort of epoxy?
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That would be Locktite Gel you are looking for. Id bet 75% here would recommend it, the other 20 % never used it and 5% did it wrong.
Seriously, its the greatest.
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+1 sleek. Locktite.
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G flex Epoxy.
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Jell gorilla super glue
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I've used gel super glue, 2 ton epoxy and TBIII all with good results. One suggestion...the inside of deer antler is pithy so saturate it first and let that dry, flatten the surface again and then glue it down.
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I was going to ask about presoaking. Do you thin the adhesive at all for better penetration?
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Use Gel CA and make sure you've got it lined up when you press it on. First time I used CA and antler it was like the glue reached up and grabbed the antler. Glued solid at about 45° to the limb.
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CA?
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Jay, what I've done is saturate the pith with super glue, let it cure then sand it flat and glue it on. With TBIII you could just add add the glue and let it sink in well then add a little more for glue up. With thinner glue like super glue if you don't pre-treat the antler will starve the glue joint.
CA is super glue. It's an abbreviation for the chemical.
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Ah chemistry never was my strong suit.
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What PatB said. CA = Cyanoacrylate
I have also used normal, runny, cheap CA with good results. but will get some Locktite gel at some stage.
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I have always used gorilla glue.. the expansion type original... never had a tip come off ....gut
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I like the gel for overlays, but I have used Hotstuff which is very thin like water. I keep it for filling cracks and knots, but it it really very good glue if you want something thinner.
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So CA sounds like the way to go. I'm assuming I just file the tip as flat as possible without violating the ring and then sand the cut side of the antler to match up to it.
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You can violate the ring under the overlay. Take a look at the angle of the overlays on some of the bows posted here. And as flat as you can, no wobble :D
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Gotcha
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I have experienced 2 failures with ca glue, one I did and the other was a trade bow. Post inspection looked like a starved glue joint. I always sized joints when using titebond, but wasnt doing it with ca. Now I do.
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I try to always size both glue surfaces to insure good glue coverage. I think over tightening clamps adds to starved glue joints. I use rubber bands wrapped around the overlays and bow tips instead of clamps. I don't think you can wrap rubber bands too tightly.
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Pat, I use old bike innertubes, but I bet they can be overtightened. Might have to give gumbands a try.
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I buy rubber bands(about 1/4") at Wal Mart($1.97) cut it and use it to wrap the glued overlay. You can really control where the pressure goes it will fit to any contour and I doubt you could wrap it too tight.
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I’ve been using the gel super glue, too. This one violated the heck out of the rings. I sanded both surfaces smooth, scored some grooves into both surfaces with a pocket knife, coated both with glue and squeezed it in place with my hands for a minute or so. This one’s a 75# bow that I’ve used exclusively for the past two years with no problems.
...Tom
(https://i.imgur.com/hOrtQHq.jpg)
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Thanks for the pointer guys. I had some loc-tite brand brush on CA on hand so I used that. As test I attacked it with a scraper and a pair of pliers, suffice to say that sucker is on there.