Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Red Dwarf on May 17, 2008, 01:07:16 am
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I would like to try a couple of backed bows but can't afford all of those C clamps (every 2" or so?).
What other methods have you guys found to be effective at producing a good bond with tight glue lines?
Red Dwarf
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Bicycle inner tube, cut into about 1" wide strips works real well.
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I bought bicycle innertubes at Wall-Mart for dirt cheap. They have worked great so far on two hickory-backed bows. I just cut off the stems.
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I get them at the bicycle shop for free just ask them to save the old ones with holes for ya. I dont cut mine in strips though. I just make one cut so its a long strip and wrap the bow from tip to tip with it. See my bamboo backed erc thread.
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Dude! Go to the bike shop and ask for a couple inner tubes that are heading for the trash. They might look at you funny, but say "recycling" and mention "clamping wood" and they'll go running for some. Cut the air nozzle off each tube. Then cut the tube lengthwise along the seams, so that each tube yields 2 clamping straps. You're good to go.
The beauty of these is that you can control the pressure (by how hard you pull) and you can apply pressure to every square millimeter of the bow. Also, once you have the thing wrapped, you can then use a couple clamps to fasten the stave into a form, and it will bend to take the shape you want.
You start the wrap at the center, and work out toward each tip. I always mark the center of each piece in the glue up: the backing, the core, handle pieces, whatever. When I wrap them with the inner tube, I start an inch or so each side of the center lines, so that I can align those marks to center marks on the form.
Here are a couple example pictures. Notice that you can also use stretch wrap. I usually don't however, since it's not reusable...but i was a dumbass today: i did two glueups, the first with inner tubes; i have more inner tubes, but I mixed the epoxy before i prepared the tubes, and so used the stretch wrap.
(http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm102/radius-01/Hickory%20Maple%20R%20D/Picture006.jpg)
(http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm102/radius-01/Hickory%20Maple%20R%20D/Picture002.jpg)
(http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm102/radius-01/Firehawk/Picture014.jpg)
easy peasy
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Thanks guys...Off to the bike shop it is!
What do you use for preventing the tube from getting stuck to the wood?
RD
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The rubber doesnt seem to stick.
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doesn't stick at all