Using TB III With stretch clamps.

[K. Mogensen]

I read that if you use TB III with stretch clamps, it will not dry. Is this true? I was thinking about using it on my bamboo bow because you don't need a hot box but I was planning on using stretch clamps for cost concerns and form concerns. If I need to leave it in the form for extra time that's okay, so long as it'll dry in a reasonable amount of time.

Thanks!

[rbbhunt]

Don't wrap the bow completely in plastic.  Titebond needs air to cure.  I left mine in the form for 3 days.

[K. Mogensen]

So when you use the plastic wrap, just leave some gaps in between the wraps? Then when I apply the stretch clamps can I cover the whole bow or do I need to leave spaces in between the wraps on those too?

[Pat B]

Go to a bicycle shop and get a(or a few) tire tubes from their trash. Generally bike shops will have plenty to share. Cut them into 1" strips and wrap your glue-up with a 1" space between wraps.

[Russell S.]

it cures slow....  i have had to go back and cut open the plastic.  I have been baking mine with tb III  bake for about 2 hrs with the plastic on then pull it out, let it cool to the touch.   then take the bands of 1 at a time and cut off the plastic, replacing the bands as i go.

[Pat B]

Be careful using heat with TB glues. It will break down at 150deg(F).

[K. Mogensen]

Thanks for all the help guys!  

[Russell S.]

i dont think TBIII beaks down i think it realeases at 150.  I usta make model airplanes to skin the wings with balsa i would coat the ribs and the skin with Elmer's wood glue (aphenitic(sp?) resin just like titebond).  when both sides where dry i would take my heat iron up to 300F and just iorn on the skin gota press on it until it cools off a bit...  makes a very strong bond.  the glue reactivated with heat. but required pressure to stay bonded.  i never tried that after a 24hr cure.  just an hour or two till not glue was not tacky,  if the glue was tacky it wouldn't stick... go figure..  I think dry but not cured TBIII plus heat plus pressure=fusion.  i have baked all my wood test bows (TBIII), and drawn then all till they broke.  never a glue failure always a limb spitting.

[K. Mogensen]

Oh, one more quick question, I've heard that TBIII needs a smooth surface for gluing, is this true? Do you just sand em down and glue em up?

[bubby]

I use tb3 and wrap with stretch wrap on backed board bows, then clamp in the r/d and no problems with glue drying.
36 grit on a belt sander is what I use when prepping for glueup

[Russell S.]

my lam grinder has 80 grit on it.  (cant find anything rougher locally)  I don't rough them up before i glue.  smooth-on and TBIII both seem to stick to it fine.  you do need a very good fit up (no gaps you can see light thru when the clamps are on)  TBIII will not fill gaps.

[bubby]

get the blue 36 grit belts at home depot and sometimes at harbor freight

[Russell S.]

can you get it 1" wide to wrap on the drum?

[bubby]

don't have a drum sander so I have'nt looked for it

[K. Mogensen]

Alright guys, thanks. Think I got this down.

[Russell S.]

checked Homedepot today. they didnt have it.