Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: kerbinator on April 10, 2007, 07:58:50 pm

Title: Quesion about bamboo backing
Post by: kerbinator on April 10, 2007, 07:58:50 pm

I have a question on bamboo baked bows. Is it necessary to tooth the bamboo and core wood prier to gluing. If yes I will have to get a toothing plane. 3rivers has em for a $100 or so. Is there other alternatives?

Title: Re: Quesion about bamboo backing
Post by: Dano on April 10, 2007, 08:42:34 pm

Yes there are alternatives. I have backed with bamboo with out scoring the surfaces and used Titebond III, don't know if I'd be that wreckless again tho :o. If you feel you have to score the surfaces you can use a hack saw blade to do the work of a toothing plane.

Title: Re: Quesion about bamboo backing
Post by: Hillbilly on April 10, 2007, 10:11:21 pm

Check out the article in the new issue of PA-Jim was using a jigsaw blade clamped upside down on the edge of the workbench to score the glueing surfaces, just pulled the bamboo and core wood across it.

Title: Re: Quesion about bamboo backing
Post by: Justin Snyder on April 10, 2007, 11:03:54 pm

I have never scored a boo backing.  :-X Maybe I am lucky.  Justin

Title: Re: Quesion about bamboo backing
Post by: Pat B on April 11, 2007, 12:30:43 am

I think it depends on the glue. For glues like Urac you should tooth the surface but with TB glues, they like smooth mating surfaces.  Pat

Title: Re: Quesion about bamboo backing
Post by: Rich Saffold on April 11, 2007, 01:00:04 am

The roughest surface I have ever used on   a bamboo backing glue-up was the 40grit on my bench sander, and I have used all the common glues..save your money for that toothing plane, and get the tools needed for good surface contact. ;D.

 I use TB3, bicycle inner tubes to mate the surfaces and then clamp the assembly into your form, mold, caul, shape however you  do it. ;D



Rich-goes thru lots of glue

Title: Re: Quesion about bamboo backing
Post by: kerbinator on April 11, 2007, 02:26:30 am

Thanks for the replies fellas. This simplifies things allot. You all will be one of the first to see my Bamboo backed bow.

Title: Re: Quesion about bamboo backing
Post by: stiknstring on April 11, 2007, 11:49:31 am

I have never done anything more to the bamboo then sand it with 60 grit and call it good.  No let goes yet with Urac.  I am going to do my next glue up with TB3 following Rich's example.

Title: Re: Quesion about bamboo backing
Post by: snedeker on April 11, 2007, 12:00:25 pm

If you go with epoxy, scoring up the surfaces with a knide point or whatever works fine.

Dave