Trying to salvage a bow mistake...

[cunruhshoot]

I hesitate to admit to the mistake that took place yesterday...but in an attempt to salvage the bow I guess I will have to. Short version is that I glued up a bow and glued the back glass smooth side to the wrong side! Figures too that all my glue lines on the riser were perfect. I cut in my limbs and removed the tape and discovered that the back of the bow has the sanded glass side out. After a conversation with Kenny I removed the glass on the back of the bow. It actually came off very easy...which means it did not adhere well and the bow would have failed.

So my first thoughts were to attempt to reglue the glass back with the correct side down. But then I had another thought and this is where I would love some input...

What if I ordered a piece of Bamboo and ground it down to .050 or even a .060. and glued it up placing it back in my form. Is it possible to get a piece of Bamboo backing down that thin?

Or should I just get another piece of glass and glue it up to attempt to save the bow?

[cunruhshoot]

Here are some pics...

The bow with glass separated...
 


A piece of veneer pulled off with the glass
 


Riser was turning out nice  - glue lines are nice I hate to trash this bow if there is a way to save it...

 

[Crooked Stic]

I think another piece of glass would be the way to go. Back in the form reheat under pressure and you will be fine.

[LittleBen]

rough up the old glue surface and put down a new piece of glass. It's much stronger than bamboo.

Bamboo would not be my choice to back a glass belly bow. And no, you'll never get it down to .050. because it's crowned it'd probably be lesss than an inch wide.

[Bob at Work]

looks like it lifted some places in the veneers...which would look bad under clear glass...seems like you could fill the holes, sand the veneer, and then either put the clear glass back but back it with skins, or use colored glass...either would save the bow and it would still be as sound as before.

[Troy D. Breeding]

Depending on how deep the lifted surfaces are you might be able to sand the thickness down and still make it work.

Otherwise I think I would take the time to sand the glass really thin, then apply another piece over everything.

I doubt you would be able to sand away all the glass without messing up the veneer.

Adding another piece of glass will up the poundage, but cold save the bow.

[Bodork]

It's worth a try to rough up the veneer and try another piece of glass. I'd try to fill the lifted veneer spots first as opposed to just filling them with epoxy. $15 might save the bow! Just watch it carefully as you shoot it.

[cunruhshoot]

Thanks so much for the input. I will order up some more glass and see what I can do.

[Bow-n-Head]

Use the old piece of glass to back a slat of osage or hickory.  It works great & makes a v/g glass backed wood bow.  I've done it alot!!  Ray

[red hill]

I was thinking along the same lines as bobatwork. Fill in the splinters, reglue the fg, and add skins.

[cunruhshoot]

Well here is my update to my dumb mistake of putting my back glass on with the sanded side facing out.

I purchased some black glass from Kenny M and prepped the veneers to receive a new backing of glass. Then glued up and placed everything back in the form and then back in the oven.

Worked out amazing! The bow came out right at 45# @ 28" and shoots perfect. I still have some finish work to complete but here she is...

 

Thanks for all the advice and input!

[Robertfishes]

Good save!!

[Igor]

Nice save...really like the overlay(s).


><>>
Glenn

[Troy D. Breeding]

Glad to see you saved the bow. No need in throwing away all that work and material if it can be fixed.

[BenM]

I really like the lines of that bow.  Very nice.  I may have to try a r/d next.  Pretty cool it ended up working for you.  I'm sure you were bummed at first.

[cunruhshoot]

It does feel good to make good on a silly error. It reminds me to go slow and always check each move and every step.

Troy - I love some of your new veneers you have listed. WOW! I should be ready to get some more wood from you shortly!

[gene atkinson]

looks great! love the overlays.

[fujimo]

good job,eh!!

[kennym]

Nice job Cameron!!

[cunruhshoot]

Thanks Kenny for the advice to remove the glass and for supplying the glass. It is awesome to purchase our bow building supplies from those within our network of bow building friends.