Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Stickhead on August 30, 2019, 02:01:26 pm

Title: Should I fill this crack?
Post by: Stickhead on August 30, 2019, 02:01:26 pm
I’m trying to make this Osage sliver into an ELB.  Unfortunately, a tiny bug hole near the handle lead to his cavern - a longitudinal groove which I’ve cleared out.  It’s in the middle of the belly, almost 1/4” deep, and about 6” long.  My gut tells me not to give up on it yet.

I can’t thin it any more than I already have without weakening that area too much, and since this will have a slightly bendy handle, I’m afraid a build-up would pop off.

Should I fill it with something?  If so, what?

Any other suggestions?

Thanks, Tom
(https://i.imgur.com/oBJRXe7.jpg)
Title: Re: Should I fill this crack?
Post by: DC on August 30, 2019, 02:38:35 pm
I think any filling would just be cosmetic. That's just out of the fades,right? if you just tiller it that area will stay a bit thicker. I've had similar with drying checks on Ocean Spray.

PS I'm kinda rethinking this. A bug bore hole might be a whole different thing than a drying check. There may be some decay involved. I withdraw my comment. ;D ;D
Title: Re: Should I fill this crack?
Post by: bradsmith2010 on August 30, 2019, 03:36:58 pm
ok its not like you got alot of options,,,
the lighter the weight you make the bow, the better odds for success,,
wont hurt to try it,,, I dont think filling it will be much help,,only just for looks,,
I think it will make a light weight bow,,
Title: Re: Should I fill this crack?
Post by: stuckinthemud on August 31, 2019, 11:06:04 am
If it were me, I'd stabilise it with CA and go with it, but a 'proper' repair might be to rout out the damage and glue in a spline
Title: Re: Should I fill this crack?
Post by: Del the cat on August 31, 2019, 01:19:49 pm
IMO two options:-
1:- ignore it.
2: dig out any trace of rot/manky wood, clean it out to a V groove, let in a matched piece of wood.
3: There were only 2 options  ;D
Del
Title: Re: Should I fill this crack?
Post by: Stickhead on August 31, 2019, 01:42:42 pm
IMO two options:-
1:- ignore it.
2: dig out any trace of rot/manky wood, clean it out to a V groove, let in a matched piece of wood.
3: There were only 2 options  ;D
Del

Thanks, Del.  I can live with that advice.  I’m getting to floor-tillering now, so far via option 1.  I’ll do some serious staring at it, to see if I could manage option 2.
Title: Re: Should I fill this crack?
Post by: Pat B on August 31, 2019, 02:31:22 pm
I think I'd round any sharp edges along the crack, smooth out any splinters or rough areas, saturate it with super glue and continue tillering.
Title: Re: Should I fill this crack?
Post by: Hamish on August 31, 2019, 07:12:23 pm
If it were my stave I would clean out the groove and inlet it with a strip of osage, glued with bowmakers quality epoxy or urea formaldehyde. 
Because you want to make an ELB, most of the stress is going to run down the peak of the belly, where the groove is, so its best if you reinforce this area.
Title: Re: Should I fill this crack?
Post by: HH~ on September 01, 2019, 07:05:41 am
Looks like the pith line from a sapling or limb.

HH~
Title: Re: Should I fill this crack?
Post by: SLIMBOB on September 01, 2019, 08:11:13 am
Plus ! PatB.  Clean it up a bit and build your bow.
Title: Re: Should I fill this crack?
Post by: Mo_coon-catcher on September 01, 2019, 08:25:09 am
I’ve done these a couple times with good results. Just clean out the groove. Round over the edges. Soak in super glue. Then if you want, you can pack it with powdered something and superglue. I’d pick something that’ll give good contrast. I’ve used deer antler and African black wood dust. Just pack a layer on the bottom and soak in super glue, add another layer of dust and more super glue. Repeat until filled over full, then file and sand clean. It might not do much structurally, but it doesn’t hurt and adds a unique look.

Kyle
Title: Re: Should I fill this crack?
Post by: Woodely on September 01, 2019, 03:19:31 pm
Yep bascially what Del posted...........!
Option 2 is what I would choose,  cut a sliver of the same wood,  shape it with a good blade and glue it in, you wont even notice it once done.   Filling it with hard glues and such will not bend and flex like the wood.
Title: Re: Should I fill this crack?
Post by: DC on September 01, 2019, 05:08:40 pm
Yep bascially what Del posted...........!
Option 2 is what I would choose,  cut a sliver of the same wood,  shape it with a good blade and glue it in, you wont even notice it once done.   Filling it with hard glues and such will not bend and flex like the wood.
You'd notice it if I did it. ;D ;D One of the things I have not had good luck with is inletting bits of wood.
Title: Re: Should I fill this crack?
Post by: Woodely on September 01, 2019, 06:08:59 pm
Yep bascially what Del posted...........!
Option 2 is what I would choose,  cut a sliver of the same wood,  shape it with a good blade and glue it in, you wont even notice it once done.   Filling it with hard glues and such will not bend and flex like the wood.
You'd notice it if I did it. ;D ;D One of the things I have not had good luck with is inletting bits of wood.
If the pieces are small you'd think it would be ok.  Do you have pics of these failures.
Title: Re: Should I fill this crack?
Post by: DC on September 01, 2019, 06:27:32 pm
Nope, don't take pictures of my failures ;D ;D
Title: Re: Should I fill this crack?
Post by: Stickhead on September 01, 2019, 09:09:09 pm
Right.  I’ll take a stab at inlaying a sliver.  If it’s not too embarrassing, I’ll post my results.
Title: Re: Should I fill this crack?
Post by: bradsmith2010 on September 01, 2019, 09:52:01 pm
You might consider wrapping it,,.make it hard to pop out
Title: Re: Should I fill this crack?
Post by: PEARL DRUMS on September 02, 2019, 07:39:10 am
That bottom end looks like it will run right off the edge once it starts bending. I'm the odd guy out here, but I wouldn't spend time on it. 
Title: Should I fill this crack
Post by: Charlesanive on September 02, 2019, 09:08:12 am
but 156000 is not a lot for a 12 year plus car. I assume it is a JDM so our JDM brothers should take the lead here. What are you talking about gas conversion?
Title: Re: Should I fill this crack?
Post by: Stickhead on September 02, 2019, 09:55:26 am
Well, here’s my attempt at an inlay.  I feel better about my prospects now.  We’ll see how it tillers.

Thanks for the inputs, y’all!

(https://i.imgur.com/Bxs69mg.jpg)
Title: Re: Should I fill this crack?
Post by: Del the cat on September 02, 2019, 11:01:29 am
Looks like a good job :)
Del
Title: Re: Should I fill this crack?
Post by: bradsmith2010 on September 02, 2019, 11:28:23 am
good job on that
Title: Re: Should I fill this crack?
Post by: DC on September 02, 2019, 11:30:58 am
How many tries did it take you? I'd have a floor full of splinters to get that ;D ;D
Title: Re: Should I fill this crack?
Post by: Stickhead on September 02, 2019, 12:19:01 pm
How many tries did it take you? I'd have a floor full of splinters to get that ;D ;D

1st try, but I took it painfully slow with the sander.
Title: Re: Should I fill this crack?
Post by: DC on September 02, 2019, 12:59:22 pm
Good job!!