vertical heat checks in bamboo backing

[Coach]

Have had this happen before and the bow still was a shooter.  Had it happen again today.  Took BBI bow out of hotbox after gluing handle on and the bamboo backing split into two vertical cracks between the nodes at midlimb.  Filled them with superglue and will go on.  Hot box got too hot.  Anyone else had this problem and was curious if anyone had a failure as a resullt of it or did it work out fine.  Coach

[Pat B]

You may have had too much moisture in the boo. In Dean Torges video he keeps his boo in the hot box until he's ready to use it. This removes the excess moisture from it before glue up so it doesn't shrink, which causes these "checks" in the boo when you put it in the hot box to cure the glue.

[Bowjunkie]

I concur. First thing I thought of was too much moisture. I put my bamboo in my drying box(different than my hot box) for at least a week prior to glue up.

I've made many bamboo backed bows by curing them at room temperature... with smooth on, urac, etc.

If you want to continue to use your hot box and are afraid it's too hot, just prop the lid open some, or get a lower temp thermostat.

[Coach]

Thanks guys-thats a simple precaution I will start doing.  Do you think it weakens the backing or is it more cosmetic?

[Eric Krewson]

I have had the same thing happen years ago. Now I keep my bamboo in my drying box most of the time, especially before I plan to make a BBO.

[Pat B]

Coach, it shouldn't hurt the strength of the bow. Just a cosmetic problem.

[Pat B]

...as long as they don't run off the limb!

[Coach]

Thanks Pat.  I'll let you know how this bow pans out.

[Coach]

Vertical checks proved to be just cosmetic.  Put the first arrows thru bow today and it did fine.