Who has modified their grip?

[snowplow]

Hey guys, I want to modify (add to) my grip. This would be a no brainer on a metal ILF with a removable grip. But its on a beautiful wood 3 piece. I hear guys love plumbers putty or any version of the 2 part epoxy putty. I was just wondering what my options were. I am sure hoping to find a way to not ruin this beautiful bow.

Thank you!

[BAK]

I've done it different ways.  My next one, and I know there will be one  will be to wrap the grip with cellophane, mold the grip, let cure.   Once hardened I'm going to remove, then attach the mold with Duco.   I want to see if I can make a decent removable section. 

[Basinboy]

I’ve only taken off never added 

[Trumpkin the Dwarf]

I've never done it. But I would definitely want to make it removable.

[MnFn]

I think you could build it up with some kind of foamed tape ( maybe weather stripping?) and then wrap with grip material for tennis rackets.  Some have done it with leather and super glue,
But I’ve never done it, and then it would  be permanent.

[Steelhead]

I have used styrafoam to add a little palm swell and go from a lower grip to low/medium or medium.I cut it out as desired and then wrap it with cloth tape.The thoat remained the same size.I just built it blow the throat of grip.

You can use many pieces and cut it till you get the shape and size you desire.Its cheap and works fine.I used an old cooler.Thier are other optons like foam etc.Its easily removed if you want to.

[snowplow]

I've done it different ways.  My next one, and I know there will be one  will be to wrap the grip with cellophane, mold the grip, let cure.   Once hardened I'm going to remove, then attach the mold with Duco.   I want to see if I can make a decent removable section.

This is exactly what I had in mind. Cool idea with the cellophane. I have never heard of this for bows, but I know guys do it for other stuff. Here is what I was thinking.

Get my grip molded in just right with self hardening modeling clay over painters tape.
Remove clay and use as a negative mold.
Add cornstarch to silicone caulking and then mold over my clay, which will make a silicone mold.
pour in liquid epoxy (colorable if you want) to make a grip piece.
attach with epoxy or contact cement like a leather grip.
Cover with leather grip if it looks awful 

This is where my mind went, but I want to make sure there's not a better way.

[blacktailbob]

Very subtle but I built the palm area up a little bit with wood putty and gently sanded and shaped it to where it felt fuller in my palm due to atrophy from a neck injury in the Army in 76. The beaver tail covers it beautifully/perfectly.

[snowplow]

That's great. What did you use for glue? I always wondered if they would move around over time if they were just on the belly like that.

[Orion]

Are you going to cover the area with a leather grip wrap?  If so, a very easy way to do it is to use Bondo auto repair compound.  Just scuff up the area to be added to very lightly with sand paper, apply the Bondo and let it harden, then file and sand paper to shape.  Cover with your leather grip.

Nice thing about doing it this way is it's also easily removeable.  With a little care, can file and sand away the Bondo down to the original surface and just buff a little bit.  Might need to give it a coat or two of finish in the worked area. Depends on how careful you are.   

[Pine]

My wife had this block added to her longbow grip to make higher.
Not very noticeable but could be an idea for you. 

[mnbwhtr]

I did just what Orion said, worked good. Bondo

[Huntschool]

I have done this several ways including just cutting heavy paper shop towels into smaller and smaller strips or formations and adding them in the right places until I reached the level of addition that I wanted.  Then just spray some fixative (crafter stuff) on the build up and use one of the rubber roll on grips to cover it and keep it in place.

I have also used leather in the same manner and when finished attach with rubber cement to bow.  I still used a rubber roll on grips.

The third method which I have only done once was to wrap the grip/handle area in plastic wrap and use the high density expanding foam.  This is tricky because this foam is aggressive to say the least.  You really need to wrap or cover all of the bows' work area.  You do not, I MEAN DO NOT want to get this stuff on anything else including you and your clothes.  Wear rubber shop gloves and have several pairs handy. 

This foam expands quickly and is sticky as all get out.  It will not take much to build up an area so be ready.  Once you have a "gob" of it in place let it cure for 24 hours and then you can shape with sand paper and files.  Go slow....  Once shaped you can cover with leather or again one of those rubber roll up grip covers.

I see no reason to make a reverse mold and then cast a piece.  Thats more work then you need.....  None of these methods add as much weight as Bondo or wood putty if that is a consideration

JMHO

[snowplow]

Cool ideas thank you!