Rubber on form - Is it neccessary?

[Johan van Niekerk]

I notice from a lot of photos in the build-a-longs that not everyone who strap their from's top on using rubber bands use a rubber strip in the form itself?
Can someone please clarify exactly what the purpose of such a strip is? Is it really needed? And when can I get by without using one?

[Jason Scott]

I've done it both ways. If the form is perfect and your riser is cut perfect you don't need it. The bow will show every defect no matter how small if you put the glass straight on a hard surface. The rubber helps keep some imperfections from showing up on the finished bow. It also helps with glue lines by closing any gaps without causing a dry joint in places. This is key for me on the back of the riser and fades area. It's really hard for me to get the riser cut absolutley perfect to the form and the rubber under there takes the worry away. I use c clamps on the riser to the fades and tubes on the limbs. I don't use a riser template because I rarely build more than a couple bows off any form. So I usually trace my riser out using the form as the template. I usually lay the back of the bow on the form. Also, if I use tapers between the riser and the back glass there tends to be a gap at the fades (because I traced the form without tapers) and a rubber cushion helps deal with that too. I'm not a precise perfectionist as some of the guys are. They have more patience, skill and better tools than I do.

[Johan van Niekerk]

Thanks  

Since I'm not skilled enough to create a truly perfect riser to form match myself I'll just have to keep on looking for a source for a rubber strip. I tried some stuff (vinyl?) I found in a "dry run" last night and it basically collapsed completely in the heatbox. So its back to looking for material again.

[yamapup]

Go to  www.poorfolk.com.  This guy Harper has a build a long and says he got rubber strips from lowes or home depot. I think he said it was six inches wide  and you had to cut it in strips. Check the site out. Pup

[Chad Orde]

John at OLD MASTER CRAFTERS has it for sale in any length you need 847-623-2660 tell him Chad from Michigan says Hi!

[chrisg]

Johan, we don't have a Lowes here in SA! Ha ha! What I use is the kids' pool noodles from Game or one of the super markets. I cut a strip 4mm thick with a band saw, I am sure a table saw will work too just be careful with fingers and glue it to the form.It works very well and can be tapered or shaped on a belt sander. I cut the first ones thinner but am making a bamboo bow now that needs the sponge to accommodate the nodes. The pool noodles are good. They are firm and spongey at the same time and don't seem to compress like sponge  or rubber. I think the material is called ethafoam?
chrisg

[michbowhunter]

I use it just to be safe, odds are if anything gets caught between the glass and the rubber it will be pushed into the rubber not the glass.  I use hospital grade rubber flooring.  I get lots of scrap pieces from work.  They are getting ready to install some more flooring at the hospital i'm doing right now.  I'll try to grab a bunch for anyone that needs some.  Just let me know...