Question for people who have made forms

[gograntgo10]

What did you use for the hardware on your form?
I want to make a longbow but would like to avoid the $60 plus shipping to buy form clamps from Binghams. What all did you guys use? I see lots of people mention mending plates, but I can't find any that seem to be the right dimensions. Any help would be appreciated. The three components I would be looking for would be the the plates, the bolts, and the nuts.

[monterey]

Should be able to find those plates at the big box.  Nuts and bolts at the hardware store.  You don't need the fancy schmanzy handles on the nuts. Just keep a socket drive Handy.

Or, go to the rubber band system.

[jsweka]

Just one man's opinion, but the cost of the form clamps from Binghams is small in comparison to the total cost of everything you need to build a glass laminated bow.  If you are planning to build more than one bow, it would definitely be worth buying them.

[bowhntineverythingnh03743]

I too would by the hardware from Binghams. I have made 4 different forms and my most recent one has the clamps. I must admit that they are 10x easier to get together and you don't need any tools to secure everything down. In time I will change all my forms over to the Binghams's hardware. Just my two cents...

[jess stuart]

You can get metal strap cut to the length you require at most welding shops.  I usually buy the 1.125" wide and .125" thick strap and drill my own holes.  So far so good and quite a bit cheaper.

[Robertfishes]

The Binghams hardware is very nice, I have one form with it. I have been buying and using the mending plates and 3/8" bolts on the last 4 forms. I bought a bunch of wing nuts and use them in place of the nuts in this picture.. most any hardware store carries the plates.  

[die_dunkelheit]

Those straps will be in the same section, and made by the same manufacturer, as angle brackets. Get nuts & bolts to fit. In the past I've squared off the whole the bolt goes through to use a carriage bolt just so I only have one side to worry about, but that is adding unnecessary steps as it doesn't have to be very tight. Like Robert said, use wing nuts on the top.

@Robertfishes,
Is that ply screwed together with drywall screws to build up to width? How well is it holding up for you? Is there any glue in there too?

[Robertfishes]

I used titebond 2 glue between the 3 layers of plywood and 1 1/4" long drywall screws on both sides of the 1.75" wide form. I made 3 bow form blanks in 2009 and another in 2010 and 2015..they have help up with no problems. My shop is insulated and has a air conditioner and a dehumidifier that runs twice a day for 5 minutes. So the bow forms and bow wood in the shop have a pretty low moisture content..but not too low.. I drilled the holes out to 3/8" on the 12 inch long by 1 1/8" wide metal straps.