CRACK!

[BEN]

My first try at making a bow kinda went CRACK!
I was trying a bamboo backed Osage bow, hand-tillered and shaped with antler tips. Shot it yesterday about 16 times and today sanded it down and was getting ready to stain. It finished out at 59# @ 27" draw--I only draw 1/2" further, so I was happy. Problem was, my friend and I wanted to see what it was @ 28", but when we measured, we heard a slight crack. So, he draws it back --nothing, then a little further and CRACK! The bamboo on the bottom limb split up about 4" up the middle.   :eek:  
Bummer!!  
Well, still looks good standing in the corner---i'll keep it until I get one that works!
  Will send pics in a minute or two

Ben

[PAPA BEAR]

no worries there ben...unless of course that was your elk medicine dispenser      :eek:    

[BEN]

Here's the bow:
 

Riser:
 

bottom Limb:
 

Tip:
 

I did NOT make the tips-----my buddy was afraid I'd mess em up, since I hadn't done them before, so he carved them out.
Rest I did.

ben

[BEN]

No worries, Larry!    
My elk medicine dispenser is the one I'm holding in my avatar and other pics.  62# Ancient Spirits Thunderhawk ought to do the trick.    

Just tinkering and trying to do this. It was fun though! Gonna try again. Might end up with a back-up bow eventually.

ben

[ron w]

Not to worry, Everyone that ever tried to make a bow has heard that same sound or worse. I had a couple break in half and hit me in the head. Keep at it....it will come together, plus its fun make'n them.

[Plumber]

look nobody got hurt thats good. back to the drawing board....good luck

[Eric Krewson]

If the crack in the bamboo doesn't run off the limb, fill it with super glue and keep shooting. Cracks in bamboo are real common.

I had a BBO I made 10 years ago in my drying box for at least the last 3 years. I got it out yesterday for an overhaul and found the bamboo had cracked from being over dried.

It took two applications of superglue to get the worst crack filled. although cosmetically flawed this bow will shoot forever with the cracks fixed.

If you can feel the crack by running your fingernail over the crack at any time in the bows life, just add more superglue. Same goes after your first application of glue cures, if you can see or feel any indention over the crack, add more glue.

Here is the worst crack with superglue still puddled on top of the limb.

 

[d. ward]

Thats a good looking bow Ben very nice work.Would it be possible for you to put a few drops of super glue into the crack and save the bow ???? bowdoc

[BEN]

I don't think that'll work. It is more of a large raised splinter....
 

It's about 5-6" long; not all the way through.

What do you think Eric and "bowdoc" ?

Ben

[R.W.]

You could try gluing the "splinter" down, and then wrapping the damaged area with sinew, or something like that.

Eric will have a much better idea than myself, though.

[Bjorn]

I just did an impossible crack fix with a little Loctite 420 in the crack, single wrap of rawhide glued down with Titebond ll, and wrapped in serving thread.
Don't discount the utility of rawhide. Lots of useful stuff in the 'Bowyers Bench' section.

[Eric Krewson]

Not good. What I would do if you have a belt sander, sand off all the bamboo except for about a 1/16" thick strip. Leave just enough bamboo to glue another piece of bamboo backing on with out getting into the osage.

I have replaced failed bamboo on 4 or 5 BBOs this way. A little retillering and you have a saved bow.

[BEN]

I think I might just leave it standing in the living room as a goad to get me back outside and make another one. When I get a finished one that works----I'll decide whether to  keep this as a memento, try and re-back it as Eric explained, or just toss as kindling.
Thanks guys,

Ben

[Billy]

Ben, if it comes to making kindling...I'd like a shot at saving it.

I'm forever repairing yard stuff; maybe it could be another salvage project..??

Looks like a good'n to me.

[BEN]

Billy, I'll keep you in mind........ Right now, as long as I'm looking at it standing in the room, I want to get out there and give it another try.

Ben

[Billy]

That sounds better to me. But.....