Belly plugs

[wizardgoat]

I've used wood dust, and horn dust with superglue, but have never been totally satisfied with how they turn out.
Just interested in what you guys have had best success with.
I've always been a little hesitant about using TB3 and dust, I figured the plug would shrink a bit

[DC]

I've been re-reading Del's blog and way back he used a piece of limb as a plug so the end result looked like a knot. He only seemed to use it once and never mentioned it again. It sounded like a real slick idea.

[Pat B]

Ryan, I've always used wood dust and superglue with good results. If the hole is deep and/or wide I do it in layers to insure I fill all the voids. Watch out fro the fumes from the superglue.
 Some folks use wood plugs, cut to match the hole but I've never done that.

[PatM]

Why not use good epoxy mixed with filler of your choice? Epoxy has compressive strength.

[bradsmith2010]

i have used tite bond, it worked well,, I have used super glue it worked well, the epoxy sounds like a good idea,, I have used dirt and superglue,, it worked well,,, I was afraid it might be too stiff,, but was ok,,

[Jim Davis]

I'm guessing you guys are  talking about small voids. Here's what I have done with bigger problems.

I made the plug a snug fit in the notch when the bow was slightly flexed backward, which  made the plug quite tight when the limb was relaxed.

This was a few years ago and the bow is still shooting.

Jim Davis

[wizardgoat]

Ya just seems superglue sometimes gets all hot and crazy and I've had little voids with some fillers.
Epoxy, sounds like a great idea, would epoxy be fine just by itself I wonder. One that dries transparent

[DC]

If you use the CA in thin layers of sawdust and CA it doesn't heat up so bad. Tamp in a bit of sawdust and then dribble in some CA. Have a cup of coffee. Repeat as necessary. Try to avoid the accelerator. It can turn the CA white

[PatM]

 Get yourself some G-flex from Lee Valley or a boat building supplier. It is toughened and designed to take shock, contraction and expansion. It's not clear per se but it looks about like a glob  of conifer resin when cured.  It will stand up on its own.

[bradsmith2010]

Jim thats a nice one, never seen a square one before, I will keep that in mind for sure

[wizardgoat]

Ive never seen a square plug, nice work.
PatM, I'll hunt some of that down, sounds like what I'm after

[bentstick54]

I have 2 Osage selfbows that I used a 2 part epoxy in 3/8" size knot holes, then colored over with a furniture repair marker before finishing with Truoil. One is in the middle of lower limb, mid limb. The other is on the edge of the upper limb a couple inches down from the nock groove on belly side.
Both are holding fine so far.

[osage outlaw]

Do you have to plug the knot holes?  I've always left them alone on osage. 

[mullet]

I've done like Clint.

[bentstick54]

I did mine just for looks more than necessity. I don't think either one would have effected durability.