Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: cowboy on June 20, 2008, 01:30:00 pm

Title: A learning experience. Tri-lam RD
Post by: cowboy on June 20, 2008, 01:30:00 pm
I'm building a bomb here - literally I think :D. I knew eventually I'd have to try a tri-lam rd bow after watching Ralph Renfroe put one together at OJAM last year. So I ripped out some planks of Hic, and osage - prepped up a peice of boo from Mullet, and a power lam of mesquite. Got my dimension's a little off for starters, and thinking I should have cleaned everything up with acetone before glueing. I also learned that when you mix up a batch of Urac - you better be ready :D ;D. Anywho, after letting it all set up for about 14 hours I took it off the form and cleaned it up. The glue turned loose on me right at the fade on one side, so I dribbled more glue in there and reclamped - I fully expect this one to explode during tillering but of course have more slats spliced up for the second attempt 8).

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Title: Re: A learning experience. Tri-lam RD
Post by: cowboy on June 20, 2008, 01:32:46 pm
couple more.

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Title: Re: A learning experience. Tri-lam RD
Post by: DanaM on June 20, 2008, 01:47:27 pm
Wear a full face helmet and a cup just in case ;D If your like me Paul its the only way I learn is by my mistakes.
And I make enuf of them ::)
Title: Re: A learning experience. Tri-lam RD
Post by: Pat B on June 20, 2008, 02:17:51 pm
You don't know til you try!   Looks like it will make a nice explosion if it does go! ;D 
   Looks pretty good, Paul. Keep us informed. >:D   
   Has the boo backing been tempered or is that the natural or dyed color?  If it has been tempered, you better wear the helmet and cup as Dana suggested. :o Tempering is for bellies only to increase compression strengths. Will cause failures when put under tension.     Pat
Title: Re: A learning experience. Tri-lam RD
Post by: cowboy on June 20, 2008, 02:28:18 pm
Ya'll are scarin me - I'm using a long line on the tillering tree ;D. That's the boo's natural color, haven't treated anything - just had em in my stovepipe oven for about two weeks. I will keep ya informed, maybe it'll actually work ::)..
Title: Re: A learning experience. Tri-lam RD
Post by: Rich Saffold on June 20, 2008, 03:50:08 pm
I think you should be fine...
Title: Re: A learning experience. Tri-lam RD
Post by: Badger on June 20, 2008, 04:24:55 pm
Cowboy, looks good, your bend in the limb is a little close to the fades and will make it super hard to string the first time. also makes them very fast if they don't explode on you. Steve
Title: Re: A learning experience. Tri-lam RD
Post by: Ryano on June 20, 2008, 06:36:25 pm
I can see one problem already because Ive done the same thing before. You didnt taper the fades on your riser down thin/long enough. It might be ok but I'd recomend you change that on the next one.
Title: Re: A learning experience. Tri-lam RD
Post by: mullet on June 20, 2008, 06:46:28 pm
  I think you'll be alright too. The first one I glued up I forgot to degrease it but the Urac held good. I'd be a little worried about the very dense, oily, Mesquite, though.
Title: Re: A learning experience. Tri-lam RD
Post by: radius on June 20, 2008, 09:51:03 pm
so far i've found that the extra time it takes to make a really good riser pays off huge.  Hope it goes well for you.
Title: Re: A learning experience. Tri-lam RD
Post by: cowboy on June 20, 2008, 10:52:12 pm
Thanks all! that's the main thing I noticed was that the riser was too short and didn't taper out gradually enough - think that's why it let go right there. I'll put a little more thought into the next one - hopefully I'll be posting this bow when/if it's finished :).
Title: Re: A learning experience. Tri-lam RD
Post by: Pat B on June 21, 2008, 12:35:58 am
Paul, You want the fades to taper to nothing in a smooth even bend. That area is where most of the stresses in a lam bow are.  Your next one will be way better. ;)     Pat