Laminated Plywood sheets

[Badwithabow]

Hey guys i hate to keep starting new threads but last night at work i noticed that the paper we use (laminate floor company) comes in on pallets that have plywood sheets laminated in some kind of clear coat...they look like they would be the cats meow for bow forms... but i don't know what they are made of.

Anyway have you guys ever seen this and do you think it would work for my 1st ever air hose form?? o yea and they are FREEEE

[SEMO_HUNTER]

Laminated plywood works fine for bow forms, I've got some and they are strong when 2 or 3 sheet thicknesses are glued then screwed together.
The only thing is that you don't want to put heat directly on them or they will start to soften up. I think the epoxy or resin they use to laminate the plywood is temp sensitive and can't take direct heat like from a heat gun.

I've bent wood on mine as long as I'm careful not to put direct heat on the form and keep the heat gun moving. So for what your talking about doing, unless you cure your glue ups in a hot curing oven you'll probably be fine with it.

[fujimo]

semo- are you saying that for glass bows, in an oven, i am gonna pick up problems with the heat!!!

iam about to make a glass bow form, so what should i use?

[StoneAK]

I am also building a form in the near future and I am trying to gain as much knowledge as possible. Do you all think the air hose form is the best way to go for glass bows?

[fujimo]

i use rubber bands for my glued laminated bows- i feel i get a more even pressure- no dry spots in the clamp areas- but then others use the clamps with great success- also the bands are way cheaper than a bunch of clamps too- albeit a bit more work.
but i do worry about the bands under heat- so i am going to use the airhose- just wonder about the air being heated up and the air expanding and in turn applying more pressure- but i geuss the guys have figured that one out too!!

[StoneAK]

From what I have read the air pressure is the way to go. If you  are not running your temps to high I don't think there would be a problem with the air expansion.

[fujimo]

sounds perfect!