Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: makenzie71 on August 10, 2011, 08:11:46 pm

Title: Recovering a broken stick
Post by: makenzie71 on August 10, 2011, 08:11:46 pm: I had a rock maple stave I was working on....trying to make a 60lb self bow. It was cut and seasoned properly....I took on trade from someone here but can't remember who. Twas BEAUTIFUL! But I broke it. On the tillering tree I was pulling it to the 60lb mark and it broke at around 20" of pull. It's a 60" stave. The grain broke on teh back and the crack runs about 8" down the limb. It's not fully broken.

I'm considering filling the crack with titebond, backing the piss out of it, and shooting for a lighter pull recurve. I'll post a pic or two of it later but thought I'd see if anyone had any suggestions or comments on my rough description of the situation.

Thanks!
Title: Re: Recovering a broken stick
Post by: sonny on August 10, 2011, 08:50:12 pm: start another!
Title: Re: Recovering a broken stick
Post by: aznboi3644 on August 10, 2011, 11:24:48 pm: I'd say go for you.

You have nothing to lose and a lot you can learn from it.
Title: Re: Recovering a broken stick
Post by: gstoneberg on August 11, 2011, 12:09:01 am: I wouldn't do it. Titebond is a good glue when the joint is tight and can be clamped. Once I had a bow blow up at full draw I lost the desire to fix bows. There's a lot of energy stored in even a lightweight bow. I know where a piece of osage is that would make a 60 pounder. 8)

George
Title: Re: Recovering a broken stick
Post by: Pappy on August 11, 2011, 09:35:53 am: Pictures would help,but I would say no to the recurve idea, and maybe to filling the crack with glue and rapping it or backing it.Hard to say without seeing it. :) :)
Pappy
Title: Re: Recovering a broken stick
Post by: PEARL DRUMS on August 11, 2011, 09:43:32 am: Rawhide gets my vote
Title: Re: Recovering a broken stick
Post by: Del the cat on August 11, 2011, 10:05:42 am: You could put a nice thick lam on the back, then rasp off all the Maple and put a nice thick lam on the belly :laugh:
Del
Title: Re: Recovering a broken stick
Post by: crooketarrow on August 11, 2011, 10:13:35 am: I'm with Sonny build another. If it's not what I want when I started I don't fix it. There's something inferior had caused it in the first place.
Title: Re: Recovering a broken stick
Post by: Pappy on August 11, 2011, 10:14:18 am: Del you won't do. ;) ;D ;D ;D ;D
Pappy
Title: Re: Recovering a broken stick
Post by: George Tsoukalas on August 11, 2011, 11:07:25 am: Start another. You'll probably need more tomato sakes for next year. Jawge
Title: Re: Recovering a broken stick
Post by: Eric Krewson on August 11, 2011, 11:20:04 am: If you use urac you may be able to save the bow. I would back it with hickory after you glue up the crack.

Here is a bamboo backed bow that was broken almost completely in half and had been through a house fire, the bamboo was still intact. The owner was broken hearted when he recovered his bow and asked if I could do anything to help him make it shoot again.

All the splintered pieces fit back in place so I glued it back together with urac and gave it a substantial sinew wrap. Still shooting as far as I know, the repair was 5 or more years ago.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v181/ekrewson/bow%20making/stevesbow1.jpg)
Title: Re: Recovering a broken stick
Post by: makenzie71 on August 14, 2011, 06:12:37 am: I went ahead and saturated the thing with TBII and clamped it up in reflex. Let it set for 24 hours before pulling it down, then waited a couple days before doing anything else. Trimmed the sides down and have 42lbs at 30". I've pulled it to my maximum draw length (33") and it held together. Not a peep...which I didn't expect. I wish I had had higher expectations or I would have never over drawn it. Gave it about an 1" of set. Better to know than to wonder, though.

I've now got it clamped back up in reflex. I'm backing the limbs in cotton cloth. It won't add any strength but maybe some integrity. I'll post pictures in the a.m.