form building

[recurvericky]

When building a form to use the rubber band method of compression, how far apart and how far from the contour of the form to you place the wooden dowels?

[The Gopher]

i guess it depends on the type of rubber band used, but i am interested in this post since i was planning to use this method for some bows as well. there doesn't seem to be alot of information on this type of form out there.

[insttech1]

I have used this method, with both success and failure.

First of all, I would say that if you REALLY want to start building something with any kind of serious curvature, dump the bands and go to the hose method.  Even if you don't own a compressor, it's not that bloody expensive, and you can inflate it with a bike pump!

But if you still persist on the bands, they should be 2" apart, and damn sure place symmetrically on critical areas (like fadeouts!!) and they should be around 1/2 to 3/4" below the edge of your form, but this is CRITICALLY dependant upon the width of the inner tube you are using.  Even though you can get a LOT of pressure to lam' something up, you are WAY more prone to micro air bubble under the glass between the bands.  If you are doing wood/wood or black glass, it doesn't matter, but for clear glass, trust me, it sucks to do all that work, pull it off, and see 60 bubbles up and down the limbs that are only a few thousandths of an inch in diameter!!

Take Care,
Marc

[recurvericky]

Thanks insttech1, i will go with the hose method.

[TroyH]

Where can you get a small length of fire hose like that?

[insttech1]

Bingham's Projects carries it, but it sells at $.28 per inch.

I just put a post up to find other sources.

Of course if you need the nipples, by all means get everything from Binghams.  They're great people to work with, and have pretty much everything you want.

But I have the nipples, and am looking for a source closer to $1/foot, and quicker shipping to get to me.  Bingham's is historically 2 weeks.

Take Care,
Marc

[SOS]

Ricky,  I used strings and wedges with good success, the rubber bands should work as well.  Use a rubber strip with a metal strip on top to assure even pressure.  Just a thought.  Heck, I even cured my limbs in the car in early summer!  Of course kind of cold out right now.  Good luck.

[Bodork]

I have picked up the hose at a local(Amarillo) company that builds high pressure hydraulic(sp) hoses. They also stock the fire hose. It was way cheaper than bighams. I think I paid about 5 bucks for 7 feet. We also have a fire safety specialty store that has it. Check around if you are near a decent size city I'll bet you can find it. Your local firefighter might be able to tell you where they get supplied.