Bocote limb failure

[razorsharptokill]

A while back I posted about preping Bocote for glue up. I glued two Bingham takedown longbow limbs. Scored the surfaces, wiped with acetone, let dry then glued up like usual. I strung the bow up, shot about 20 shots and hung it up for the night.

When I got up this is what I found. Bottom limb is good to go. What do you think caused it? I did tighten the limb bolt too much I think.

Looks like it gave up right at the wedge tip.
 
 

[Crooked Stic]

I dont think the limb bolt is the cause of your failure. Its hard to say without seeing the actual thing in person.I am guessing that the wood itself failed or just by the pics either the glue failed of maybe not enough glue. Hard to say for sure.I am not a big fan of oily woods in the limbs but many do it with no problems.

[OconeeDan]

Yikes!  Doubt it was the limb bolt.  Failure of glue joint or the materials.  
Hate to see that since I have bacote on one of my Bingham bows.  Never had a problem with mine, so far.
I suggest you call Bingham Projects.  If you have to, mail it to them for their opinion.  
Dan

[OconeeDan]

By the way, I never scored mine or wiped with acetone.  I did like Bingham suggested, just brush it off and glue it.  Maybe the acetone weakened the bond of the epoxy?

[razorsharptokill]

There is a series  of small knots about right there. UGH>>>>>

[razorsharptokill]

Wonder if they would sell me just one limb worth of lams?

[steadman]

Ouch!! I was told never to wipe oily woods with acetone, it brings up more oils. Sorry for your loss I know how bad that hurts! They should sell you one limbs worth i would definitely call

[dorris]

they will sell them in pairs I dont know how many lams is in there but you can order however many lams you need you dont have to buy a whole takedown kit . build another limb dont use the acetone I have my guesses that may have contributed to the problem .

[OconeeDan]

YES, they will sell you one limb worth of parts.  Ask me how I know.
Dan

[Bowana]

I'm no expert but my friend and I have built a few takedowns. Hard to tell from the photo but it looks like the limb failed at the end of the riser. I found on the bows we have built that the end of the riser needs to be rounded some. If left sharp it will start to work on the glass on the limb and cause a failure. Good luck with your next one.

[razorsharptokill]

This bow had ben strung for less than 10 hours.

Bottom limb held up fine but there's now way to tell what its life span will be. It had the same exact prep work. I was really looking forward to hunting with this bow.  :(

[razorsharptokill]

Spoke to the guy at Bingham. I can order just the lams for one limb as previously mentioned here.

He seems to think it may have been a dry spot in the glue joint. I'm sure I had plenty of glue. I mentioned the acetone to him and he said with smooth on glue it shouldn't have been a problem but may have drawn more oil out. Bottom line... he said it wasn't needed but a lot of people do it.

[Tom Leemans]

Yes, I have been told the same thing steadman was told. Acetone brings more oils to the surface.