Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Colt45 on March 18, 2009, 06:43:04 pm

Title: how do I deal with a belly fracture?
Post by: Colt45 on March 18, 2009, 06:43:04 pm

So I'm working on a thinly backed juniper bow, with bamboo backing. I was tillering the bow when i noticed on The belly of the bow there is crack in the wood. It runs diagnally for about five inches and it goes diagnally on the side right into the backing. What do you suggest I do about this??

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Title: Re: how do I deal with a belly fracture?
Post by: Colt45 on March 18, 2009, 06:45:31 pm

here is a view of both the belly and the side

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Title: Re: how do I deal with a belly fracture?
Post by: Pat B on March 18, 2009, 07:01:05 pm

I can see from the pics but they are probably frets(chrysals), which are compression fractures. It is most likely the bamboo was too strong for the juniper belly and it crushed the belly in the weaker spots causing the frets. Unfortunately, they are usually terminal! :(

Title: Re: how do I deal with a belly fracture?
Post by: Colt45 on March 18, 2009, 07:28:44 pm

The crack was there before the tillering or any bending at all though. So it's probably not that, I think it was just a crack from the wood drying.

Title: Re: how do I deal with a belly fracture?
Post by: Shooter_G22 on March 18, 2009, 07:37:36 pm

i say fill it up with some glue and go for it...  i wouldnt give up on it till it blows... but thats me im hard headed that way!!!  and then when and if they do blow up on me im pissed and through everything around and everything in the air and act like a gorilla for a while and then sit down and pout....lmao...   :D :D :D 

  but hey you might just get one that works...   it just depends on how much materail you have to work with...  if your like me and scroung and improvise and try and make do out overy every piece of bow wood you come across then go for it if you have plenty and more where that came from then move on... 
  id give it a chance though just my own opinion...  ;)

Title: Re: how do I deal with a belly fracture?
Post by: adb on March 18, 2009, 08:08:55 pm

I'd make a fire offering to the bow making Gods with that one, and start over. Looks like some very bad grain run off.

Title: Re: how do I deal with a belly fracture?
Post by: Pat B on March 18, 2009, 08:40:46 pm

If they are just drying cracks they should be OK unless they run off the edge of the bow. Super glue them, wrap the ones that scare you and go for it. 

Title: Re: how do I deal with a belly fracture?
Post by: DanaM on March 18, 2009, 08:41:29 pm

I'm thinking bamboo backed juniper ain't a good combination, better off with a sinew backing :)

Title: Re: how do I deal with a belly fracture?
Post by: Colt45 on March 18, 2009, 08:55:43 pm

What should I wrap them with?

Title: Re: how do I deal with a belly fracture?
Post by: Colt45 on March 18, 2009, 10:29:07 pm

I am wrapping it with thread... I will post how it turns out later!

Title: Re: how do I deal with a belly fracture?
Post by: Colt45 on March 20, 2009, 01:03:22 am

I wrapped it with thread and it worked out very well! I shot it about twenty times. It started to get bigger so i'm going to wrap it more and glue and clamp it. I'm 99.9% sure its going to work since it already has. I will post pictures of my fix soon!!

Title: Re: how do I deal with a belly fracture?
Post by: Pat B on March 20, 2009, 01:47:36 am

Be careful! It ain't worth a head ache. :o

Title: Re: how do I deal with a belly fracture?
Post by: Colt45 on March 20, 2009, 02:21:55 am

I am being careful but when i post pics you will see how careful haa  ;D