2023 Bow Swap Progress Thread - Complete

EvilDogBeast · June 21, 2023, 02:35:27 AM

Order on track to be delivered tomorrow.

Roy from Pa · June 21, 2023, 07:53:31 AM

Nice job, Kenny.

EvilDogBeast · June 22, 2023, 01:27:20 PM

Package arrived yesterday, I am up, and headed to the shop. Pictures and update when I'm done working for the day.

EvilDogBeast · June 24, 2023, 09:26:50 PM

Sorry for the delay gents. Got the tips cut and started working the top half of the bow. USPS knocked the corner of the shelf off so I had to do some reshaping to get it looking decent again.

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EvilDogBeast · June 25, 2023, 06:33:54 PM

Got the fiberglass smoothed out and prepped for the leather wrap, sanded all my file marks out and have the wood sanded up to 100 grit, depainted everything with denatured alcohol, and masked for tip overlays tomorrow.

EvilDogBeast · June 25, 2023, 06:35:38 PM

Also, if anyone can enlighten me on how the hell you get the leather wrap on the grip I would appreciate it

kennym · June 25, 2023, 07:43:19 PM

LOL I never got to the leather grip so can't help you there, but once put a rattan string (?) grip on and soaked it with CA and lightly sanded it. The guy who ended up with that one thought it was the greatest thing ever!!

rainman · June 26, 2023, 09:36:22 AM

Several tutorials on here and YouTube. Joe Don Jones is the one I like best, I have seen him do it in person and Clay Hayes has him demonstrate it in one of his videos.

EvilDogBeast · June 26, 2023, 11:23:30 AM

Thanks Dan.

Longcruise · June 26, 2023, 12:15:11 PM

Its not terribly difficult but the more convoluted the grip shape the trickier it gets. Use thin leather. Wet it out and then pull on it in different directions. You will find one direction where it will stretch more than the others. Plan to have the stretchy direction go around the grip and cut it to the full length of the grip area plus a little extra. Leave it longer than the diameter by a good little bit and then start pulling it around the grip area. By working at it hard you can usually get it to fit tight throughout the whole length of the grip. When you have it fitted as well as possible use several spring clamps along the back of the bow to tightly clamp the loose ends together and let it dry.

Once it's dry you can do some fine trimming and then you can glue it and lace it on the back side.

EvilDogBeast · June 26, 2023, 03:50:11 PM

Thank you Mike. Watched a bunch of videos on it this morning as well. Got the tip overlays on this morning but running a little short on time today. Have to go back to work this afternoon (been on leave with family in town) and my wife is sick. Progress will probably be a little slower during the week, but I aim to have it finished this weekend.

Is there a generally accepted minimum wall thickness on the fiberglass sleeve? I'm expecting the draw to be in the mid to low 40's. The areas near the corners of the tenon seem thin to me, but that may just be paranoia from dealing with aircraft fiberglass lol.

Roy from Pa · June 27, 2023, 07:39:16 AM

I put blue painters tape around the grip, then carefully slice the back and take it off. Lay that onto your piece of leather and cut it out.
Deer hide is very stretchy if that's what you are using. I cut the leather out, then use a hole punch to punch the holes equally on each side. Don't forget to put a mark on the top end of the grip on the inside so you get it back on right. Then I spray 3m adhesive on the leather and put it on the bow, stretching it and aligning it to fit right. I let that setup for about 5 minutes then stitch it up.

EvilDogBeast · July 02, 2023, 06:45:39 PM

Sorry for the gap in posts. She's quick and consistent!

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If anyone can fill me in on suitable fiberglass thickness, I would appreciate it. The handle still feels big. I would like to take a little more meat out of it before the wrap goes on, if I can. Currently pulling 44.5 lbs @ 29".

EvilDogBeast · July 04, 2023, 04:41:26 AM

Handle thinned, tips shaped and dressed, and finish sanding started.

EvilDogBeast · July 04, 2023, 07:58:52 PM

Finish sanding done and put the first coat of paint on the fiberglass. Second coat tonight and then on to the riser and limbs with sanding sealer tomorrow.

Nicholi · July 11, 2023, 07:42:36 PM

Any updates?

EvilDogBeast · July 12, 2023, 04:42:00 AM

Sorry Nick, my dad was in town. Finish will be done tomorrow and then I'll get the leather on the handle and ship her out to ya.

EvilDogBeast · July 12, 2023, 04:42:05 PM

Laying that sanding sealer down!

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Nicholi · July 13, 2023, 11:33:59 AM

All good my friend, we all just like the pictures!

Looking good!

EvilDogBeast · July 15, 2023, 03:57:09 PM

Writing on the bow today then one last coat of paint. Leather wrap on Sunday. Nick, I will have a picture for you today as well