well i was about to do a glue up...

[Echatham]

did my dry run.... got all set up... my unibond 800 is all dried up.  so i gotsta order some more glue... but was thinkin maybe give smooth-on a try.  so.....
smooth-on vs unibond(urac) for all wood bows?
pros vs cons?

 

[Troy D. Breeding]

Smooth-on works fine. Just make sure to keep the bow in the form for atleast 24 hours and in an area that is atleast 70 degrees or higher.

[D]

I always use smooth on now just cause I make glass bows to, but for just wood on wood I would go with the unibond cause its cheaper or at least I think it is.  I ordered some the other day for a buddy and the shipping was pretty high.

[Bowjunkie]

I prefer Smooth On for all of my glueups nowadays. It's a more universal glue and is used on some of the most stressed bows made. I've used it on Z-splices without issue as well.

Why would it be a concern on all-wooden bows when it works perfectly gluing wood lams, risers, and overlays together on 'glass bows'.

I doubt I'll ever buy Urac/Unibond again.

[Crooked Stic]

Yep pretty much a no brainer--50-50 mix and a little more of the white part don't hurt be sure to mix 3-5 min. wet both surfaces and clamp well.

[Echatham]

both fill gaps the same?

[Bowjunkie]

Yep.

They're both really good glues. The only issue I had with either one was a single time I had used Urac 185 on a bamboo backed osage bow and the glue never cured properly. I think they had a bad run of glue if memory seves. I threw it out and bought new stuff, and never had another issue.

[LittleBen]

Are you guys curing the smooth on at room temp for your wood bows?

I've done a couple splices with smooth on, and I was thinking of using it for tri-lams but with a 24hr+ room temp cure.

[Bowjunkie]

I've done it both ways, Ben... hot box and at room temperature. No difference that I could tell.

[LittleBen]

Good to know. Thanks man!

[mmgrode]

Smooth on for me too.  Urac is a good glue, but with the screwy mixing ratios, limited workable setup time, and short shelf life I moved on.

I have been happy with Smooth on for my wooden bows.  Easy mixing, longer shelf life, and long working times are very useful attributes for my work. It's also nice to be able to quick cure the glue with heat if desired.

 I don't keep a dedicated hot box for curing, but will generally glue up my BBOs on the form, leave it 16-24hrs at room temp, then remove from the form. I then glue on the handle lams, leave for another day or so, remove the clamps and clean up the edges.  Then I'll make a "tent" of sorts with rigged blankets and lightbulbs to warm the bow(s) for 6-8 hrs.  I don't keep real accurate temps going, but can tell from residual edge glue when it's good and hard.  I've had very good luck with this method.  I've also just left them for 24-48 hrs at room temp to cure.  It'll work.    

Cheers,
Matt