Use of TB III for Gluing Hickory Backing on Red Oak

[blindarcher]

Hello Fellow Bowyers.  I have been using Unibond 800 for backing Hickory and Bamboo on either Red Oak or Ash bows, with varying success.  I have been using TB III for applying handle risers and rawhide backing with 100% success.  My question is: Is TB III good for gluing either Hickory and/or Bamboo backing onto limbs made of Red Oak, Ash, or Osage Orange?

Thanks!

[Knotty]

I'm pretty sure TB III is the most widely used glue in Archery and bow crafting so I would say it definitely works for wood backings aswell.

[bubby]

So what problems have you had with unibond

[blindarcher]

Thanks for the feedback! I am glad to hear that TB III will work.  The issues I have had with Unibond 800 is that it tends to swell and open up gaps even though I have clamped the parts together.  Also, I have popped off handle risers when under compressive bending loads.  I have not had handles pop off when using TB III, and my laminate bonds remain tight and clean.

[Hamish]

How are you prepping the surfaces, and what do you use for clamping, do you use a drying box?

[Pat B]

TBII is fine for bow backing. I have made a few hickory backed red oak using TBII and never ha a glue failure. If I'm not mistaken I think TBII is actually stronger than TBIII. With a good finish any of the TB PVA glues will work well for bow backings whether waterproof or just water resistant.

[lebhuntfish]

I've glued up several using tight bond 2 and 3. Tb I I I  seams to work really well with wood backings. I have a red oak with a hickory backing I'm finishing up now. I've noticed for some reason with bamboo and Tb I seam to take extra set but the bond seams to hold nicely.  I don't have much experience with the epoxies bud I am planning a boo backed Osage very soon. I intend to use unibond for that bow.

Patrick

[GB]

I've used TB3 for glueing cherry bark backing on a few bows and noticed that the MC level increased.  Then again, I lightly wet the bark with a rag, too.  Another bowyer I know waits 10-14 days after glueing backing strips with TB3 because he noticed the same thing using his moisture meter.  I just put my cherry bark ones in a hot box for a few days.
For bamboo or hickory backings I always use either Smooth On or Unibond.  I've never had one fail.

[mikekeswick]

TB111 is a great glue - it is however imperative that you have perfect mating surfaces. Yes it raises m.c. because it is water based. No big deal though just wait a bit longer or use a hot box to help speed the cure.
I must have glued up over a couple hundered elbs with tb3 - never had a single problem with it.