Crack on limb?

[James Wrenn]

I have a wood laminated bow that has a small crack on the edge of the bottom limb.It is just in the thin belly lam and is about 1/4" long.I heard it pop the first time I shot the bow.I have tried putting a little superglue in it but think it still moves a bit.What would be a fix for this?I have shot the bow a couple hundred times or more so it might be fine like it is but I know it is there so it bothers me.   :(   I thought about just fileing out the crack with a noc file and filling it with epoxy but have no idea if that would be any better. lol

[Bob Morrison]

Jim,
Try some super thin superglue, it should suck into the crack. If it doesn't drill a small hole though the glass and try the thin again. If that don't work fill the hole and paint both limbs in that area black, and it will never be a problem again.

[James Wrenn]

Bob I thought about drilling some tiny holes like you suggested after I posted this.There is no glass on this bow however.It is a 4 lam bow with bamboo as the back lam so we are talking a very thin belly lam less than 1/8" thick.

[wingnut]

James,

Sounds like a compression fracture on the belly lam.  I found that if I get them too thin that happens.  I would just shoot it and keep an eye on the area.  If it starts growing you might want to plan another bow.

Mike

[James Wrenn]

It was a tiny knot right on the edge.I drilled it and soaked it in super glue and filled the holes with epoxy.Looks like bore holes in the limb now and you have to search to find them.Will see what happens.

Yeah Mike I wanted to keep it a little thicker but my guess work was off some.  :D  I have got plenty others if it goes south.I have been busy building things lately so have some surplus to fall back on if needed.