Nervous and learning

[EHK]

Well, my first attempt at a glass bow just went in the oven.  I'm nervous as a school boy on a first date wondering if everything went okay.  the dry run looked good, but man smooth-on makes a slippery mess.

I used more smooth-on than I thought I would.  Time will tell if that's a bad thing or if it'll be alright.  

Things I learned today:

Smooth-on is messy.  Cleaning up my work area was like a comedy act.  Everything I touched stuck to me.

I wish I had 4 hands or a helper.  It probably would have made things a lot easier.

Make a list and check it twice.  I had just thrown the form in the oven when it dawned on me - I didn't inflate my air hose.  At least I caught it up front.

I'm sure I'll get a lot more lessons in about 4 hours.  Fingers crossed.

[kennym]

Good luck Eric, and nice save airing the hose up!   :D

[Trux Turning]

Sounds like my first glue up- lol. What are you building- a recurve or longbow?

[D]

I keep several rags close when I'm gluing up so  I can wipe stuff off my hands.  Your learn more the more you do.  Just listen to what the Pros on here have to say.  They will steer you in the right direction .

[jsweka]

Originally posted by Trux Turning:
Sounds like my first glue up- lol.  

ME TOO!

The first couple I built, I kept running down to the basement shop to see if the lights were still on the oven and I had this constant fear that the air would leak out of the hose.

Don't fret it.  I'm sure it will turn out.  And the only thing too much smooth on will do is make grinding off the glue boogers a little more work.  Better to have big boogers than voids between lams.

[EHK]

Ha.  Glad I'm not alone.  My legs are getting a workout from running up and down to make sure the oven lights and thermostat are working.  About 15 minutes to go and she's ready to come out.

[Trux Turning]

I let mine cool down completely before I remove them from the form.

[EHK]

Thanks Trux.  I'm going to take her out of the oven and then head out with the family for a bit, so it'll cool down before it comes out of the press.

With all the epoxy I used, I may need a jackhammer to get it out!

[Dmaxshawn]

Originally posted by Trux Turning:
I let mine cool down completely before I remove them from the form.

Bingo.

[EHK]

Well, I got it out of the oven and it took a bit to ground of all the excess glue.  My suspicion and fear was confirmed.  The lams did slip a bit during glue up.  It's just a little slip in two spots - 1 at the riser and one down the limb.  I know that I can cut an eight of an inch off the riser and that won't be a problem, and I think the slippage was far enough down the limb that I'll be okay.  

Back to reality tomorrow and I'm on the road, so I'll have to pick up on this again next week.

[cunruhshoot]

I love hearing of your first experience as it brings back panicked memories of my own first experience. As a note of encouragement...I  am still shooting that first bow made 5 years ago and it is my favorite bow. Even though I do a much better job on finish work today I leave that bow just as it is with file marks and all. It still shoots beautifully! I am sure your bow will come out as well and be your favorite!

[soy]

 I was wearing a brand new Carhartt sweatshirt gluing up a bamboo backed ipe...I don't see on the tag anywhere listing 50 percent Urac On the materials blend list....but it is    

[beachbowhunter]

I've only done a couple and still get the jitters! For this bow making stuff you need OCD but it will give you ADD!!

[EHK]

I hear ya.  I've been working on this bow with every spare minute I have.  I still have plenty of work to do on it, and I'm already thinking about the next build.

[bowhntineverythingnh03743]

Make sure you post pictures... we all like pictures