Wondering if anyone has used a vacuum veneer press to laminate a bow? I have looked all over the net but havent found anything. I figured someone would have given it a shot and reviewed it. seems simple to take you form and lams, glue them up tape them down and place under plastic. is this just common knowledge and no one talks about it or does it not work? anyways I am going to give it a try. any info would help. thanks. If anyone wasn't at the Chamberlin shoot this past weekend you really missed out, it was beautiful.

It would not be practical for the application.

No one (to my knowledge) uses vacuum bagging (or a vacuum press) to laminate bows.

The pressurized air hose method and the mechanical clamping method is easier and more effective for laminating bows.

I think you'll just end up with a mess (and wasted materials) with a vacuum press, but if you want to try it... good luck. :^)

Contact Kirk Lavender of Big Foot Bows he toyed with something to do with vacuums

Vacuums tend not to work very well for lamination because as well as evacuating the air from around the former,you also evacuate the adhesive as well.

Don't quote me, but I think Kirk might use a vacuum pot to degas epoxy and to impregnate some woods with epoxy resins.

I doubt that he uses a vacuum to laminate the limbs (to the forms).

Although, the redneck mad scientist that Kirk is, I wouldn't put it past him. :^)

He's always tinkering with something. :^)

I would be suspicious of that techinque being applied to bows. It could work but hoses or clamps or rubber banding seems to be the best. Japanese yumi's are glued up buy binding and wedges.I use threaded booker rods and nuts and washers.Primative but affective.

OSR

An another question I would ask is how would you apply the heat needed to cure the glue. I realize the heat needed is low but the bags I have used are just heavy plastic.

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