Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Grandpa Bill on March 18, 2018, 02:33:46 pm
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I just finished my newest bow - Rawhide backed red cedar - 35# @ 27"
After I started shooting the bow in, I noticed what looked like drying checks on both limbs. I have never seen this on any of my other bows and don't know if this bow is fixable or is it firewood??
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I would just shoot in some thin super glue into the cracks. And I’d get near the edges without running out. Just put a silk or sinew thread wrap ther and super glue the wraps. That should be enough to keep it together. If the cracks runout the sides. I would do the same but expect it to become toothpicks in the not so distant future.
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+1 Is that Eastern Red cedar? It looks very much like Western Red Cedar.
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Red cedar for sure, western cedar is tan to light brown and very porous.
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i live in the land of western red cedar , which of course everyone within 400 miles calls cedar .
The stuff used in the linings of chests we call by the various book names but never cedar
Lots of regional / local names for various woods .. it gets confusing with names like cypress or ironwood (-P
btw the pic does look quite a bit like Western Red Cedar even though it is hopefully juniper heartwood , which can look like western red cedar especially in photos
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Yes on the superglue and then clamp it. Jawge
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Thanks everyone for the information. I still am curious why it would split like that. I know the limbs are not overstressed, it has taken no set whatsoever.
For what its worth, it was a board from Austin Hardwood labeled Aromatic Red Cedar. I was never completely confident in the wood which is why I backed it with rawhide. I really like the look of it so I think I will try the SuperGlue and clamps and enjoy it till it goes on the woodpile.
Bill
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I have filled more drying checks on bows with superglue than I can remember, I prefer to fill the crack until it won't hold anymore, no clamps, I want as much glue in the cracks as i can get in.
I have never had a failure of one of my filled cracks.
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Thanks Eric....that makes me feel better about doing the fix.
Bill