Ever Had To "Retire" A Good Bow??

willnorvell · September 03, 2015, 12:15:00 AM

I have a Bob Lee Classic recurve that I got from a friend who didn't take good care of it. He basically left it in his truck and let it get really hot. By the time I found it and took it, the micarta lamination in the riser had started to separate from the wood on one side. At first I thought it was just a finish crack, but the other night I discovered that I can slide a piece of paper between the layers for a section of about 2 inches. The finish crack is longer, but this seems to be the only real separation.

I called and spoke with Rob Lee (Bob's son), and he told me there's really nothing effectively that can be done. Trying to re-glue the riser wouldn't work well enough to be worth it. He told me that he'd be hesitant to risk shooting it too much, but it's still in excellent condition aside from this one section of the lamination.

So what would you guys do? I really hate to retire a bow this nice, because of such a small issue, but I know this small issue could get nasty really quick. I suppose I could always buy a new riser, but I'd almost just rather buy another recurve.

September 03, 2015, 12:24:00 AM

Yep! That bites, Will. I would probably retire it. If I really liked the bow enough, I would probably order a new riser.

Bisch

Thumper Dunker · September 03, 2015, 12:25:00 AM

I would get another riser just like that one or close to it. I would go nuts letting those limbs go to waste.

Whip · September 03, 2015, 08:21:00 AM

Heat destroys the glue, and if the glue bond on the riser has failed it is very likely that it is bad in the limbs as well. It just may not be evident until they let go under stress. Nothing worse for a bow than excessive heat. I'd be very wary of the limbs as well.

dbd870 · September 03, 2015, 09:15:00 AM

That hurts but I would retire it - what a shame. :(

Zradix · September 03, 2015, 09:32:00 AM

QuoteOriginally posted by Whip:
Heat destroys the glue, and if the glue bond on the riser has failed it is very likely that it is bad in the limbs as well. It just may not be evident until they let go under stress. Nothing worse for a bow than excessive heat. I'd be very wary of the limbs as well.

exactly my thoughts as well.

highlow · September 03, 2015, 09:35:00 AM

Yup. Don't think you have much of a choice. Too bad since from the pic, the bow looks in great shape otherwise. I can empathize with you as I left my bowfishing rig (a fairly old Robin Hood recurve) in the back of my truck on a very warm day, braced, only to come back and find one limb completely broken at the riser fadeout. Not only retired it but trashed it as well. Nothing could have resurrected that bow. Wouldn't have even made a good wallhanger.

willnorvell · September 03, 2015, 10:32:00 AM

For clarity, it was only in my buddies truck for 1 day. I'm assuming that's what caused the issue, but I'm not positive. I'm honestly not concerned about any other part of the bow. I've been shooting it quite a bit since I got it. The crack doesn't seem to have gotten worse at all, I just finally got concerned enough that I called Rob about it. After talking to him I discovered the paper deal. It's stayed strung almost the whole time I've had it as well, so I'd think anything else that was gonna give would have. I'm really just trying to decide if that riser is enough reason to quit shooting such a nice bow. It truly is in very good shape aside from this one issue.

Danny Rowan · September 03, 2015, 10:43:00 AM

Does not matter if it was in there for a day or more, it gets very hot in a car or truck. If the riser glue is letting go, then the limbs will too, only a matter of time. If it lets go when you are at full draw you could be hurt. I would not chance it.

shag08 · September 03, 2015, 11:00:00 AM

I can promise you...when they "let go" at full draw it freakin HURTS! I almost lost an eye over chancing it. NEVER again. If I ever notice the slightest little thing on one that could lead to failure it will Immediately go in the trash.

Orion · September 03, 2015, 11:55:00 AM

That's an unusual place for something to delaminate due to heat. May also have just been a starved glue joint that's showing up now. For a little more peace of mind, you might drizzle as much epoxy into the slit as you can and clamp it. Warming the epoxy usually makes it thinner (and reduces its set up time). May be able to load it into a syringe with a tiny needle to get it well into the riser. Good luck.

If that crack extends the entire length of the riser, then you might try separating the pieces, cleaning them up and regluing.

warpedarrow · September 03, 2015, 12:29:00 PM

It is kind of hard to tell from pictures so I will ask this; if you were to put a clamp on it (carefully so as not to damage the finish) will the crack close?

If so, get a syringe and some Loctite 420 and fill the crack and clamp it. I had done similar repairs. Go to the Trad History and Collecting forum and look up Restoration 101 for detail instructions.

There is no way that I would retire that bow without attempting a repair. And don't try the repair with just any glue. The Loctite 420 is thinner than water and is formulated to wick into cracks. Good luck.

Jedimaster · September 03, 2015, 01:03:00 PM

The safest advice is, of course, to replace the bow but I understand you wanting to attempt to save it. I probably would want to do the same. Anyway, just another thought - you could drill the riser from the palm side and sink a sturdy screw through both laminations (epoxied in). Then fill the exposed portion of the hole with a hardwood dowel to conceal the screw. Sand it flush and refinish.

willnorvell · September 04, 2015, 12:19:00 AM

Thanks for all the input guys. It's a hard decision for sure on this one. Having the bow in hand, it's hard to believe that it's bad enough to give up on. Guess I'll keep having to think it over. Might try the Loctite 420 for now to see how it shores the riser up.

nineworlds9 · September 04, 2015, 06:21:00 AM

I say fill it and shoot it. Better to burn out than fade away. Fill it and be done with it. The risk of a failure is there but even brand new bows have failed for folks. I apologize in advance, being younger and more of a risk taker.

warpedarrow · September 04, 2015, 02:04:00 PM

We are only about 100 miles apart if you want to set a date to make it or break it. I am just south of Bronte on FM 2662.

DiamondD · September 04, 2015, 02:36:00 PM

Yeah I have a beautiful little Horne two piece bow that has a small hairline crack in the riser. I fell with it and stuck my hand out to break the fall and hit it right on a rock. Didn't even notice the crack at first. It has a bow bolt take down system and I'm just not sure about shooting it now. This happened several years ago and I talked to Mark Horne about sending it back to him so he could inspect it. I then got away from archery for several years and Mark and Sandy have since quit making bows. I don't know how to get ahold of him. It really is a beautiful bow but probably destined to be a wall hanger now. Always said Mark made works of art! 8-)