Bow form storage?

[Don Armstrong]

I have my bow form about 98% finished. I carry it out to the work shop to work on it and then carry it back to the house to store. I am worried about it picking up moisture or the cold effecting it. It is the standard glued together 3/4" oak plywood for glass longbow. Am I worrying to much or is bringing it in the house a good thing. Thanks, Don

[jess stuart]

I have never brought mine in.  We do have very low humidity though.

[Robertfishes]

some guys seal theirs,I should seal my forms  better..I have a few partial full cans of Spar Urethane..mine are waxed with paste wax so its too late to apply the Spar Urethane. But I have a dehumidifier and A/C in my shop and keep my forms in a enclosed dehumidified room. I think excessive moisture could make it more likely to warp in the oven..

[Don Armstrong]

I was worried, the heat, would not be good to a sealer. I have a can of Deft that doesn't work for me, as a wipe on, so I could use it to seal my form. I really like the Deft spray. Do you think Deft would work as well as Spar Urethane on the form. Thanks, Don

[Robertfishes]

I don't know what the proper form sealer is..maybe automotive engine paint??? i think I'll use the search function and see what comes up. OK found a thread where a respected Bowyer says he uses  polyuethane or an epoxy to seal form, so far green can turtle wax is working for me in my shops environment..next time I build a form i'll use poly and then wax..

[Don Armstrong]

I think I'll use the Deft and then the wax. Thanks, Don

[pditto613]

i have had 2 forms warp on me.  Even if it is a slight warp it ready makes tillering tough. The second form was sealed with laquer and still warped.  The from I am working on now will get polyurethane enamel porch and deck paint.  I have used it on wood boats and it last a lifetime, well my lifetime, so far.

[eflanders]

My first form ( a simple 2" x 4") was just waxed.  It hasn't warped yet, but I wouldn't be surprised if it does.  It did pick up some moisture from being stored outside and if I could I would keep it inside all of the time.  My second form I sealed with spray urethane and it is doing much better.  I would suggest sealing it and then waxing it for maximum protection.

[Walt Francis]

Do any you use angle iron on your forms?

[pditto613]

I don't use angle iron but I have thought about it.  What I did today was glue and screw 2 strips of the same plywood the form was made out of to the bottom of the form so the layers run perpendicual to the form. Still have to seal it.

[Walt Francis]

The perpendicular wood should help.  I was taught to use angle iron on both the top and bottom of my forms to prevent warping.  I have not had one warp yet, but the R/D form only has 16 bows through it and the recurve has six.  I have not sealed either of the forms with anything except paste wax before each glue up.  It probably helps that the humidity here is a lot drier then other places.  I used 1 ½” steel angle iron on the recurve form and two pieces of ¾” aluminum (one on each side) on the R/D form.  It seems like cheap insurance to preserve all the work that goes into getting a form right.