Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: rkeltner on January 04, 2015, 02:59:45 pm

Title: horn overlays
Post by: rkeltner on January 04, 2015, 02:59:45 pm
 have a short rawhide backed osage that I'm having problems with the horn tip overlays. they keep popping loose, to the point that I've almost given up on them. is there a trick to getting horn to stay put?
Title: Re: horn overlays
Post by: osage outlaw on January 04, 2015, 03:32:51 pm
Are your surfaces matched up good?  Are they clean and degreased?  What glue are you using?  Are they flexing?
Title: Re: horn overlays
Post by: Weylin on January 04, 2015, 04:15:17 pm
What glue are you using? I've been using gel super glue and I've found that the quality of the glue matters. I used to use locktite gel and never had a problem when that ran out I used some Gorilla brand superglue and I've been having problems with the overlays popping off. Just yesterday I popped off the tips on a bow with just a little finger pressure. I've learned my lesson. I went out and bought a bottle of quality gel superglue. Osage Outlaws questions are all valid too, just wanted to share my experience.
Title: Re: horn overlays
Post by: Drewster on January 04, 2015, 04:37:09 pm
I've had good success with Titebond II for tip overlays.....and I'm very careful to match the surfaces and use a freshly sanded surface when I'm ready to glue them up.
Title: Re: horn overlays
Post by: Pat B on January 04, 2015, 04:46:21 pm
Is the glue sticking to the wood or the horn when they pop off?
Title: Re: horn overlays
Post by: bubby on January 04, 2015, 04:51:31 pm
good flat surfaces, I take'em down with 36 grit on my belt sander, and runny loctight superglue, if I want them of I have to break out the heat gun
Title: Re: horn overlays
Post by: huisme on January 04, 2015, 04:54:43 pm
One of my recent molles just had jatoba slapped on the back with locktight ultragell, looks great and holds fine.
Title: Re: horn overlays
Post by: Chadwick on January 05, 2015, 12:00:32 am
I was using old (12+ yrs) superglue and I had many pop off - wood, horn, hoof, any overlay. I switched to new Go2Glue and it works great.
Title: Re: horn overlays
Post by: Shaneisneato on January 05, 2015, 03:17:14 pm
Trying my first overlays tonight. Walnut overlays on a hickory bow, planning on using titebond 3.
Title: Re: horn overlays
Post by: PEARL DRUMS on January 05, 2015, 03:55:48 pm
Stupid question? Are you gluing them to the rawhide?
Title: Re: horn overlays
Post by: bradsmith2010 on January 05, 2015, 04:22:19 pm
lots of great advice,, if your glue is good, and you are not glueing to rawhide,, and your surfaces are clean,, sanded degreased ect,,, as stated above you should be fine,,
Title: Re: horn overlays
Post by: Aaron H on January 05, 2015, 07:31:42 pm
I have had really good results with two part epoxy.
Title: Re: horn overlays
Post by: rkeltner on January 05, 2015, 11:46:03 pm
being my first rawhide backing, it is glued partially to the rawhide. I had wondered if that was part of the problem. I've built 15 or 20 bows and this is the first rawhide back and the first horn tip overlays. I have tried hide glue (liquid type), super glue, two part epoxy and t.b.II. looks like I'm going to work the rawhide back from the tips to glue straight to the wood. stupid question? nah. just my ignorance. still learning, and will continue to!
Title: Re: horn overlays
Post by: osage outlaw on January 06, 2015, 12:15:50 am
If you have tried all of those glues and none have worked I would guess your surfaces aren't matching or aren't clean wood.  Make sure you are glueing the overlay on the wood only.

Can you post a picture of your bow tip and overlay?
Title: Re: horn overlays
Post by: PEARL DRUMS on January 06, 2015, 10:47:19 am
Sounds like you got her figured out, that's good.
Title: Re: horn overlays
Post by: rkeltner on January 06, 2015, 04:26:06 pm
I have no doubt the first time or two mismatched surfaces played into the equasion,  but the later ones sound like entirely do to glueing onto rawhide instead of wood! as soon as I can clear my schedule i'll redo the tips and see if I can find a functioning, internet compatable camera around here to post pics with!
Title: Re: horn overlays
Post by: bubby on January 06, 2015, 04:59:25 pm
If your camera has a sd card you should have a sd port on the computer
Title: Re: horn overlays
Post by: rkeltner on January 07, 2015, 12:29:11 am
that's not the problem...I'm not sure if we currently have a functioning camera! :o