Bear paw power carbon core ? & General uni-Carbon discussion !

[Forwardhandle]

Has any body used Bear paw power carbon core yet ? I haven't been able to find much info on it other then from the manufactory  that you can reduce core thickness ?

[C. Johnson]

Never even heard of it.  Sounds interesting though.  Who's selling it? 

[Forwardhandle]

I guess the only distributor is Kustom King but the guy that knows any thing about it is out of town ,so I just went with Gordon .020 carbon but it sounds interesting its not a neutral core but cant find any specs. Maybe try it in the future ! Its cheaper but its only .015

[C. Johnson]

I've been wanting to try that woven carbon material that (I think) OMC sells just because it looks cool.  Maybe the carbon core would add a little speed?

[Mark R]

Its just unidirectional carbon, stabil core is woven, uni can ad some zip but it depends on design and other factors, I've used uni carbon  under carbon backing and it put some real zip in a 58" recurve I make and a little in other designs, experiment.

[Forwardhandle]

Thanks Mark I know very little about carbon just using it for the first time this week ends glue up but thought the power core might be useful under glass for future bows to add stability getting the limbs thinner !

[BrushWolf]

I used it years ago. The bow ended up about 25 lb heavy. It was paired with stable kore. The stable kore didn't add the weight cause I've use it alone in other bows. Now if you want something pretty awesome the carbon weave from OMC is it. I've been playing with it here lately and like it.

[Forwardhandle]

I saw that at OMC , what do you do Mike scarf joint the 36 in. lams like regular lams ?

[Mark R]

Stabil core is woven for stability and I'm not sure if its carbon,then there's carbon backing witch is a special weave and lay up, not all is the same lay up and different thicknesses, it's used as backing, and unidirectional can be used anywhere in between, I like to use uni carbon right under carbon backing with foam cores and a bow glass belly.Lots of variables. It can make a difference with a good design and core layup, especially in a highbreed. Again experiment a little.

[Forwardhandle]

On this bow had the lams ground for a 62 in. Bow using stabil-kore in the mix ,so skipping the stabil-kore and added the carbon under the .041 glass was told the .020 Gordon's will add 5 lb. but also picked up another .005 in thickness about 4 lb. so extending the bow out to 64 in. instead of 62 in. I think I should be close all Swagg exsperment !

[Mark R]

Sounds good let us know how it works out.

[BrushWolf]

I saw that at OMC , what do you do Mike scarf joint the 36 in. lams like regular lams ?

Everything I've made has been a takedown.

[monterey]

Wonder how it would compare if the carbon is on the belly side?

[Forwardhandle]

I love the looks of that stuff did you ever compare the weight to glass ? I was wondering the same about belly ?

[BrushWolf]

I never weighed it but it seemed lighter. It took 23 thousands out of my stack and the stability is incredible. They do make a 2ply that goes on the belly. When I talk to OMC they said it goes over top of.030 glass. I haven't tried it yet.  I got the impression the 4ply on the back does most of the work. Plus I still like to see some pretty veneers.

[Forwardhandle]

I did a little more checking around on this carbon core nobody knows much about using it as far as draw weight added with it but at .015 I'm swag at maybe 4lb but does any body know the best way to trim carbon width down it only comes in 1 3/4 in width ?

[Mark R]

I use a trim router with the carbon between factory edge plywood, just like formica

[Forwardhandle]

Thanks Mark I have 2 hand routers a router table but no trim router I suppose I could use the hand routers but bulky , I'm little hesitant to use this stuff as so little info available on it but like that it comes at .015,thickness, the thinnest Gordon's I have seen is .020 that I just used in my current build is there any other .015 thick uni carbon out there ?

[Mark R]

You can use a regular router with the proper bit you just have to make sure the thin carbon is secure or it will want to flex all over the place. Some good shears might work.

[Mark R]

You can use a regular router with the proper bit you just have to make sure the thin carbon is secure or it will want to flex all over the place. Some good shears might work.

Its not the most fun stuff to work with safety first.