Large pieces of phenolic/micarta

[Jeffro]

I managed to obtain these large bits of phenolic today.
They would be great for handle lams or tip reinforcing I think.
Its kind of inspired me to learn to make my own bows .
Steve maybe you'll have to take on an apprentice

[longbow steve]

I think you will do well at it Jeff, Happy to help you along . How about you start with gluing some tips on that Ben Pearson and shaping them ? Steve

[Jeffro]

I was just thinking that mate,and could rub it back and refinish it.That would be good
Ill bring the phenolic up when I next come up there

[otis.drum]

where did you get it from and what is it or was it?

[Jeffro]

otis its from an old substation that is being rebuilt.It was going to be thrown out and had done its 30 year service.
Its used as an insulator and it was a link board.Its very strong stuff.
Nowdays they use bakealite instead.
I have been looking for it for years and have only ever found it a coulpe of times.
Im sure you can buy it but I have no idea where.I got a small bit for Barry Johnson once before cause he uses it on his longbows and he didnt know where to buy it either.
A bow that can take a fastflight string usually has this stuff on the tips.Every Bob Lee bow ive ever seen has it as does Mark Kimbers Huntsmans.Also Check mates and many others.
You can use it for knife handles too

[longbow steve]

100_2988.JPG (41.97 KiB) Viewed 2269 times

This is Black and red phenolic with timber overlays. I couldnt find any good brown phenolic photo's sorry. Steve

[clinton miller]

you can make your own. i think it was on ozbow that i saw a post where i guy was making it from denim jeans and some type of resin. i imagine you could try fibreglass resin. you just layer up resin soaked pieces of cloth then clamp it between two flat surfaces.

[otis.drum]

i wonder if techniglue would work? do you need to dye the resin/glue? if so, what with?

[Gringa Bows]

Otis,from what ive read you should be able to use techniglue and the colour comes from the material you use in it,like denim would be blue ..........Rod

[longbowinfected]

Rod, what if your jeans are pink?

sorry, could not resist

Kev

[Gringa Bows]

Kev i think someones been letting out my secrets .............Rod

[Jeffro]

or you could just get a bit of the real stuff and save yourself some time

[Goblin]

Could just buy a bow, save yourself the time. Don't mean to be faceatous but surely the making of stuff like this is half the fun? I love the idea of jeans on a bow.

[perry]

I used techniglue and some scrap flannelette cloth to make up some Micarta for a set of knife handle scales and used the scraps for tip overlays on one of my Selfbows.

regards Jacko

[Jeffro]

Could just buy a bow, save yourself the time. Don't mean to be faceatous but surely the making of stuff like this is half the fun? I love the idea of jeans on a bow.

why not grow the cotton then weave it and make the jeans aswell
Then make the resin too.

How do you know what kind of resin they used in the first place ? I believe it is made under pressure with heat.
If you can make it to the same standard then go for it.
I hear what your saying and it is cool to make all your own stuff.Some people love to have something they made entirely themselves while others like a product that has good integrity and works well that is made from top notch components.Not saying that a totally home made product is not good so dont get me wrong.


Ill be happy to just use this phenolic cause it is exactly that-top notch and I know for sure what to expect from it.

Jeff

[Goblin]

Hahah, yeah, fair point. Still better to say it in a less dismissive way, like "probably easiest to use some premade phenolic."

Anyhow, it looks like interesting stuff... so its particularly useful for thin, fast strings that could wear away other knock materials?