Rubber band gluing forms question

[eflanders]

I feel like making a rubber band form with the wood dowels.  My questions to those that use them is:  1). What is your preferred diameter wood dowel?  2). What length beyond the edge of the form works best? 3). What width rubber band do you prefer?

I will be drilling through-holes in the form and I will glue the dowels in-place just for secureness.  I also plan to cut the rubber bands from old inner tubes to width.

Thanks in advance.

[eflanders]

I forgot to ask what the preferred spacing is between the dowels?

[JamesV]

I use that type of form exclusively. cheaper to make and in my opinon a better form. I use 3/8 dowels and they are an inch and a half longer on each side of the form. I drill my holes slightly smaller and drive the dowels in, I don't glue them. I space my dowels 2" apart. For the rubber Go to a tire shop, get an old tractor inter tube or the largest inter tube they have, Usually they will give them away. Spiral cut it into a strip about 1 1/4 wide and a mile long. I cut 85 feet out of half a tube. I criscross and double wrap and get perfect glue lines on glass bows. I clamp the riser area and the fades with clamps

James.......................

[JamesV]

Don't have any pics of the ruberband form but I have pics of the form I use for kids bows. Rudder bows has this style on their site'

 

[eflanders]

Thanks JamesV!  I I also enjoyed looking at your kids bow form. ON this form, are you wrapping the bow with stretch wrap before putting it on the form?

[jess stuart]

Here is a pic of one of mine.  It is real old and doesn't have the dowels, I just wrap the bands around the form bow and all.  I like JamesV way better you can keep an eye on things as you go.  Do n't use them much anymore so I have never modified them.

[JamesV]

I double wrap all my bows tight as I can before putting on the form. it keeps the lams from slipping around.  I have use a form like the kids form for full size bows. with good results but care must be taken or you could get a twisted limb.

James..............................