Longbow Repair

[BrownA5]

I have a two piece longbow that the upper limb delaminated upon draw.  Looking for a recommendation on someone to evaluate whether the bow is salvageable before consigning to the garbage.  Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated!

[Orion]

I see a lot of folks have looked any this thread and haven't responded.  A picture or two would help.  Depends a lot of the size, location and nature of the delamination.  If it's a clean glass separation from the wood core, without a lot of wood tearing and no fracturing, it can probably be glued back together. 

[BrownA5]

Great suggestion… thank you!  Here are some pictures:

[Mark R]

It's trash IMHO. But I'm not gonna say it's impossible, or maybe it is

[supernaut]

Sorry about the bow, that's a bummer and I hope you weren't hurt.

That looks pretty bad but I probably know more about milking ducks than I do about bow repair. 

Could you contact the bowyer that made the bow and see what they think? Possible repair, make a new upper piece or????

[Orion]

Thanks for the pics.  I agree with the others.  It's toast. 

Sometimes there's just a weakness in the material (or design), or poor glue or glue up and these things happen.  It's more prone to happen with a short bow drawn to a long length, which really puts a lot of stress on the limbs.  Don't know if that's your situation, but worth keeping in mind on your next bow. 

[GCook]

PM sent

[Alexander Traditional]

Looks like it pulled the overlay off as well. That doesn't seem like a regular delamination. I think I know what bow that is,I guess they can happen to the best of them.

[BrownA5]

Thanks all for the replies.  Fortunately I was not injured.  I draw to 27” so over drawing the bow certainly wasn’t an issue here.  I understand that these things do happen.  This was my first experience!

[Steelhead]

If I was gonna try and repair something like that I would cut off the splintered area.I would sand the limbs very lightly where they will mate up.Clean the lams with alcohol or something like that.Saturate the hell out of the lams with name brand super glue and clamp it in 2 or 3 spots.Might wrap the the area you cut off with sinew or braided fishing line and saturate that with super glue rubbing it in.

You got nothing to loose but a small amount of money and it might work.I have made a repair similar to what you have but not as severe that held up for a long time and never came apart.

If you do it and it works.Just be carefull shooting it and listen to the bow for pops cracking noises etc.Be safe!

[Kirkll]

That's rare to see one come apart on the back like that.... only time i've seen it happen was a dry fire....... I would consider a short memorial service, and burial at sea...She's toast...

[BrownA5]

Thanks again for all of your responses.  I got the answer(s) I expected although you always hope for the best!

[Tajue17]

I had a expensive Harrison Hill style do that at full draw and I tried to find someone or someway to fix it but it ended up in my dumpster,, that was maybe 18yrs ago so maybe today they have something that might work.

[Kirkll]

They make great tomato stakes.... I'm curious if the bow was dry fired or not...

[BrownA5]

I am not the original owner of the bow but it certainly was not dry fired since I have had it.  This is a mystery!  Awful pretty tomato stakes.  Limbs are Black and White Ebony 

[M60gunner]

Sorry for your loss. Maybe have some knife scales made from the riser?