[aeronut]

in reply to: Hobbies #152180

One thing that has been a problem for me on laminate bows is sometimes the glue line at the fade has small gaps.  None have been bad enough to scrap a bow but they look bad.  The glue lines on these fades came out perfect.

To drill the holes in the limb butts and riser you need a jig to make sure everything lines up.  These jigs can cost $65 or more.  I was lucky enough where I worked that we had a full machine shop.  I made this jig out of steel from the scrap bin and my only cost was for the four screws.

Work has stopped for now because I need a new sanding belt for my sander.  The one in use now is my last belt and it is getting worn enough it is starting to burn the Bubinga wedge.

[aeronut]

in reply to: Hobbies #152136

Limb #2 out of the hotbox and ready for initial sanding.

I ordered a piece of Jatoba wood to use for the riser.  I’m going to add a Hickory accent stripe in it.

[aeronut]

in reply to: Whatcha Got Going 2021 #152127

Yesterday, Monday, was a work day.  My laundry room is an enclosed porch on the north side of my 100 year old house and one cold day last week I went to wash my clothes.  The washer drain had frozen.  Not the drain that the washer dumps water into but the drain on the washer itself.

I got out my trusty heat gun and pumped a bunch of hot air under the washer and finally got it thawed and the washer drained.  I then noticed a slight drip on the hot water hose feeding the washer.  OK, I’ll get a couple of hoses and replace them since they are 16 years old and I shut off the valves on the hot and cold lines.

A while later I look and there is water on the floor.  The old valves started leaking around the stems so I added new valves to the list.

So yesterday I start replacing the valves and hoses.  Not everything went smoothly but there was no major hangup in the process.  Hopefully these will last at least another 16 years.

[aeronut]

in reply to: Hobbies #152124

Limb #2 assembled and in the hot box.

 

[aeronut]

in reply to: Hobbies #152122

I’m glad another of my hobbies didn’t freeze during our – 15* nights.  My bees are showing up at the feeder.  Not in great numbers but they are showing up so there’s hope for this coming season.

[aeronut]

in reply to: Hobbies #152121

Hit the sander today and got the limb shaped to form.  Looks more like a bow limb now.  Now I have to make another one just like it..

[aeronut]

in reply to: Hobbies #152089

I pulled up the spec sheet on Huntsman epoxy and it cures faster than the Smooth-On I have been using so I pulled the limb out of the hot box after 2.5 hrs.  That was a little longer than needed.

I took the form apart to see how well everything had stayed in place.  Laminations do shift sometimes so it’s a relief when everything is still in line.

The epoxy that is squeezed out can be as sharp as glass so you handle the limb with care until you get it sanded off.  After sanding the fiberglass laminations are still a little rough so you make sure you don’t slide your hand on them or you will pick up small splinters.

Sneak peek after sanding all the glue boogers off the sides.

Back.

Belly

Next I strip off all the painters tape and check the glass.  Then I retape both sides and mark the centerline in the back of the limb.  The tape is pretty tough to remove after baking so I use a plastic putty knife to help get it off.  I used masking tape on the first bow I made and it was terrible to remove.

Draw the limb shape on the tape and it is ready to sand down.

 

 

[aeronut]

in reply to: Hobbies #152066

I’ve been retired for three years now Richard.

[aeronut]

in reply to: Whatcha Got Going 2021 #151986

I’ve never tasted Meade but I’ve got lots of honey so I may try making up a batch.

[aeronut]

in reply to: Whatcha Got Going 2021 #151972

-2* with a -20* wind chill here now.  I sure glad I’m retired and not on call with the electric company any more.

I spent a long day yesterday thawing my daughter’s water line.  Got it going around 10pm and got my stuff gathered up and home around 11:30.  Sat dow2n in the recliner and woke up after 3am.

Lots of hobbies here.  Building bows, arrows, game calls, reloading, etc.   I have some flame Maple burl laminations I’m going to use for my first take down bow build.  It’s just got to warm up a bit.

I hope my bees survive Robin.  It’s danged cold out there.  I made a bee vacuum with interchangeable baskets this past week.  Just need some #6 hardware screen to finish the baskets.  That size is very hard to find.

Some of my game calls

 

This is a bow I built for a cousin several years ago.  He passed away from cancer and the bow came back home.  There’s a pretty good story involved about this that I may write about.

My cousin shooting the bow on the first outing.

Enough for now.

Dennis

[aeronut]

in reply to: Whatcha Got Going 2021 #151973

And it did it again.  My post didn’t show up.  Sigh……………….

[aeronut]

in reply to: Small game hunting, Ace Hex Head or The Hammer..? #147380

[aeronut]

in reply to: Small game hunting, Ace Hex Head or The Hammer..? #147381

 

[aeronut]

in reply to: Small game hunting, Ace Hex Head or The Hammer..? #147382

I give up.

I’ve tried twice to post some pictures of the .38 special blunts but they won’t show up.

[aeronut]

in reply to: elk scull #147314

Submerge the skull in a stiff solution of Rid-Ex and water.  It takes a while but it will remove the gunk.  You may have to dump and repeat depending on how much stuff needs to be removed.

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