Fixable? Cracked bamboo on riser?

[Alex Lewis]

This is my second serious bow building project. Both bows were made from 72" BBO R/D blanks from Primal Need Archery.

The last bow was somewhat rushed to make a deadline (christmas), so I've really poured time into this second project to make it perfect. After weeks of meditating, fine sanding, and shooting, I finally put the finish on.... and as I sprayed the last coat I found this crack. I'm really stumped as to how I missed it until this point...

It runs down the bamboo backing from fade to fade, stopping where the limbs begin to bend. It is widest where it crosses a tiny divot missing out of a node in the bamboo.

In my limited experience have never heard of cracks appearing in this spot. What did I do wrong? Did I remove too kush from the riser? Is it salvageable?

-Alex

[Art B]

Yeah, cracks like that do have a way of showing theirselves when some type of liquid is applied.

Sounds like a drying crack Alex. Nothing to be concerned about IMO since it's following the nartural line of the power fibers. Fill it good with thin super glue and the bow should be fine.....Art

[Alex Lewis]

That makes me feel so relieved. I was getting sure I'd have to scrap it as "unsafe."

Should I try to pull the spar urethane off the back before I wick the CA in?

[Art B]

First, I would wait until you get some other responses. Maybe someone with a similar situation will have a better solution. Perhaps you won't need to do anything.

That crack was probably there all along as you was shooting it in. It just didn't show up until you started finishing your bow. Maybe even developed from the bending of the limbs as you were shooting. I know for myself, I would want to seal any crack to prevent moisture from entering.

Is the crack well sealed with the finish? You do need to get the glue down in the crack if you go that route, so if the finish is going to prevent this, then yes, you will have to make a way...Art

[Alex Lewis]

I think the urethane has done a good job in terms of sealing out moisture, but I'd feel more comfortable with some glue wicked into the crack; if for no other reason than to keep it from possibly spreading.

Thanks  

[red hill]

Alex, are you putting a handle wrap on the bow?  Sounds like a good tightly wrapped covering would help.
Stan

[Alex Lewis]

I wasn't planning on it. It has a nicely figured half heartwood, half sapwood, brazillian cherry piece on the handle that I would prefer to keep uncovered.

I had considered covering the crack with a strip of silk backing, though.

[D]

Alex I've give David a call at Primal Needs and see what he has to say about it.  I took his class and anytime I have had any questions since I've just gave him a call and he has always been very helpful with anything I've needed.

[Alex Lewis]

I called David, and he basically confirmed what everyone else has said, but added that the CA wick better with the bow warmed under a blow drier.

Just shot 50 shots though it today, and the crack hasn't gotten any longer.

[D]

Thats great Alex I hope everything works out and it doesn't get any bigger.

[SEMO_HUNTER]

Alex if it makes you feel any better, I built a BBO awhile back my first one to be exact and was getting ready to put the snake skins on it and found almost the exact same thing. Except mine had a crack running from the arrow shelf cut out where it makes a 90 deg. corner and ran up the the next node right before the bottom fade and stopped. I filled it good with super glue then went ahead and put the skins on it. Then I did a nice tight handle wrap with paracord and soaked it good with super glue also. I have not had a single problem with it and the bow shoots great.

I'd go ahead and do like others have suggested and put a nice tight corded style permanent wrap on it like I did with paracord which makes a really nice handle wrap, then soak it in wit super glue and keep on truckin.