T/D recurve help-along

[Bob T.]

Yep, Go with 1/2" bolts like Shredd  and Kenny said. Anything less will bend.

[Balding Kansan]

10-4!

[Balding Kansan]

Did a couple stress tests this morning. 40 pounds on the hose.

I think I set my gap too big between the forms. The hose doesn’t put any pressure on the outside edges. And I’m having a hard time getting this kink out.

[Mad Max]

how wide is it down threw there?

[Balding Kansan]

1 1/8.

At the butt end it opened up quite a bit. 1 3/8.

[pditto613]

Before you do anything with the form dry fit it with lams and wedge and pressure strip.  Just like the glue up, then decide.  If you want to close it up some, glue thin wood strips to the top form

[kennym]

What material is the form made of?  Looks like particle board?

[Balding Kansan]

Yes, particle board.

[Mad Max]

Before you do anything with the form dry fit it with lams and wedge and pressure strip.  Just like the glue up, then decide.  If you want to close it up some, glue thin wood strips to the top form

X2

[Mad Max]

What stic said

1" is how I do mine, drill and bolt you hardware on first and then mark 1" and band saw it.
Your dry run will tell you how much pressure, 40/50psi is plenty.
put 50 psi in the hose and stick the ends in a bucket of water and look for bubbles

Not being rude like Lonesome Dove
Live and learn

[kennym]

I would put the hose in , air it up and put in heat box before gluing bow . I don’t trust mdf or particle board but that’s just me...

[Balding Kansan]

Have you had a bad experience with particle board?

It’s leftover shelving from my last job site so I’m not out anything if I need to burn it.

[Balding Kansan]

What stic said

1" is how I do mine, drill and bolt you hardware on first and then mark 1" and band saw it.
Your dry run will tell you how much pressure, 40/50psi is plenty.
put 50 psi in the hose and stick the ends in a bucket of water and look for bubbles

Not being rude like Lonesome Dove
Live and learn

I shoved some strips of wood in there, back to an inch, and it still won’t get there. 7/8” is the ticket.

[Shredd]

Your fine Brudder...  Put the exact lams in that you are gonna use for a bow...  If you are still a little short just add a pressure strip over top of the lams...  It will do two things...  It will close the gap and it will keep the glue out where your lam keepers may stick up on the form...  I myself prefer around 7/8" inch gap but I use a different hose from most... Lessen learned...  Go a hair thinner on the next one...  You can always sand it down...

[kennym]

I haven’t but heard several stories on mdf . Breaks while cooking . Not sure what glue they use in particle board but some wood glues fail in extreme heat. Just cautious as haven’t seen a form made with it .

[Mad Max]

Double up a electric blanket and cover the form, 120 degrees wont hurt the form

[OldRawhide42]

I put a piece of hard rubber between the top and the hose to close any gaps that I dont like.

[Balding Kansan]

Thanks guys!

I’ll do a dry run with all the goodies and see how it looks.
How do you cut the fiberglass? I was leaning towards a hacksaw.

[Bob T.]

Hacksaw is what I use.

[Crooked Stic]

The only plus to MDF is 3/4 is 3/4 . But it dents breaks and sucks up moisture.
At Menards they have Hand I- panels that actually just twig under actual thickness. 2x2 2x4 not sure if they have 2x8. But I make my long forms in halves and scab them together.