creaky bow... FIXED w/ pics

[Shadow Walker]

Sounds like it may be the handle. You can pin it with dowels. If you are interested I'll describe how I've done it. Jawge

I'd sure like that bit of experience!!

[George Tsoukalas]

Shadow Walker, you have to have a drill stop or you can wind several turns of masking around the bit as a stop. Drill from the handle into the bow but not out the back. Three in the handle itself and one each in the fades. You'll have to lower the stop for the fade area. Add some glue to the holes and drive the dowel in and cut with a saw.  I usually try the fit on some scrap before I drill into the bow. Let it dry. Wrap with some silk fabric at least on parts that won't show. Let it dry and then do a handle wrap with some twine. That will solve the creaky handle problem and hopefully that is the problem. Jawge

[Josh]

Well I found out it is coming from the handle area and I was thinking about posting how to do the dowel trick. Jawge you must be a mind reader or something.  Thank you!        -josh

[Shadow Walker]

Thanks for the info George, hopefully I won't need it, but at least now I'm armed if the need arises!

[Tom Leemans]

Josh, it hit the sharp inside edge of the rail. BAD!

[George Tsoukalas]

Just don't go through the back with the drill. LOL. No, I've just been there with creaky handles. Jawge

[Josh]

here's the fix with five 1/4 inch red oak dowels.  Theres no WAY this won't work...  Thanks again Jawge!!!   I am still gonna wrap the handle tightly with some nylon cord set in epoxy/acetone underneath my leather handle wrap for extra protection (thank you PatB for that one),  wish me luck guys!!!!  -josh   

[George Tsoukalas]

You're welcome! For the record, the reason why I never use screws is if the handle is bending, which it must be if it is creaking, then screw will eventually create further problems. I hope this works. Sure looks solid. Jawge

[Pat B]

Josh, check the compatibility between the nylon and acetone/epoxy first to be sure they are compatible. Also, nylon will stretch. One reason I prefer the hemp cord is it has very little stretch and is compatible with most synthetic glues and sealers.

[Josh]

Just wanted to let everyone know that the dowels totally fixed the problem!!!!  No more creaky bow!!!

-josh   

[George Tsoukalas]

Excellent! Jawge

[recurve shooter]

nice! 

[Wolgen]

In the future, what about the idea of putting a " powerlam" between the backing and back of bow at glueup???
Wouldn' t that prevent handles popping off?

[George Tsoukalas]

If the add on handle sits on top of the board in such a way that the board itself is part of the taper on the fade outs then it is less likely to pop off. That's why the add on handle should be glued on before tillering is begun. Jawge