keeping lams aligned during glue up?

[Aaron H]

If I remember correctly, I believe PD explained how to "pin" laminates together to keep them aligned during glue up, but I cannot seem to find it.  Can someone please explain this to me again?

Where you at Pearly?

[PEARL DRUMS]

A-a-ron I drill two tiny holes side by side at center. Right through all the layers and just barely into the core. Get all the pieces slathered with glue and stack them up. Then just line up the holes and push some toothpicks in the holes. The stack wont budge. Break the toothpicks off and you can hardly tell they were ever there.

[Aaron H]

Sorry if I'm a little slow to catch on, but do you mean drill through your backing material?  Do you also pin your tips as well, or just through the handle area?

[Pat B]

Here it is. Pearlie told me about this a few years ago while I was building the hickory backed lemonwood bow for the Tenn. Classic. It works like a charm. I think I used bamboo skewers for the alignment pins.

[PEARL DRUMS]

That's it Pat. I use tooth picks, but the skewers would work good to. Nothing on the tips Aaron. Those lams need to slide outward as you pull reflex into them. If you pin the ends, it buckles in the center. You dig?

[blackhawk]

Yup....ole Roy used to do the same pegging em down with toothpicks...not sure if he still does. Ive never done it...i use bike inner tubes and wrap from fade to tip,then repeat other limb...seems it doesnt slide around to much for me that way.

[vinemaplebows]

I wrap the whole bow in saran wrap tightly. If you are using wood glue you will need to take a razor blade down both sides once it is clamped to allow air circulation.(this varies with your jig) epoxy with time and warmth you don't need to bother with cutting the edge.

VMB

[Aaron H]

Ok, now I'm picking up what you guys are putting down.   Thanks fellas.

[Pat B]

Its so simple yet so effective.