Deflex splices

[DC]

This is what I put in with gap filling glue

Do you use a "W" splice Marc? How long do you make it?

[PEARL DRUMS]

I asked Don for permission to add all these pics of a bow I am working now that has glued in splice deflex. I wont type much, its self explanatory.

 

[PEARL DRUMS]

This is how I fit the last piece and what the end product looks like. I didn't glue in near the deflex Marc did, which allows the curved pieces rather than "V" shaped.

 

[DC]

So, between the first and second pictures did you cut/rasp the handle area into a nice smooth curve?

[PEARL DRUMS]

Exactly. I used a half round 49 & and then a sanding block. I glued two strips of hickory each time, I found that the clamp pressure required to squeeze all four lams in squeezed my glue out. So I did what you see in three glue sessions.

[Marc St Louis]

I used to do it like Pearl does and it works OK as long as the deflex is mild.  I found that once you start to increase the deflex you can't clamp even a very thin strip down tight enough to avoid a gap right at the base of the splice

[PEARL DRUMS]

My deflex was minimal, I got a 1" drop each way from center before the reflex came in.

[PatM]

If your billets are an easily bent wood you can steam the ends into a deflex curve individually before cutting your splice.

[PEARL DRUMS]

And thin enough. I wouldn't think about steam bending a 12" long section of 2" thick osage. Not a chance. 

[vinemaplebows]

My deflex was minimal, I got a 1" drop each way from center before the reflex came in.

Pearlie why don't you just glue on blocks to both billets before the splice? You could use a bandsaw to get whatever depth you need with added assurance of the extra depth of the glued area, you could cover the splice as you did as well?

[PEARL DRUMS]

I wanted a laminated handle with different woods in it. If I follow you, that is.

[vinemaplebows]

I wanted a laminated handle with different woods in it. If I follow you, that is.

Gotcha. I like the handle.

[upstatenybowyer]

Very nice work Pearly.

I've got a 3' long log of osage that's very straight and I'm planning on turning it into two 2" x 2" x 3' billets with the "back-to-be" sides cut just above a target growth ring. I was going to clamp them back to belly, splice (being careful to line up the target growth rings, glue up, and then chase the target growth ring before roughing out the bow. Does this make sense?

[PEARL DRUMS]

I do splices in slats that way, but I cut billets one at a time. My splice cuts aren't gorgeous, but they work for me.

[Marc St Louis]

The deflex in this bow was not spliced in, it was steam bent and not something I would do again