So, what about gluing the prods in place?

I am trying to get my head around a v shaped belly for the dual limbs on my latest bow. I think that is the way to get it to always seat true. Then it struck me...

If I were to just go ahead and glue the limbs into the riser add the face plate to compress it together but just glue it all in place, epoxy it....

Wouldn't that work really well? I mean I know, you would have to saw and chisel the limb out in case of a break but, that's not such a big deal, at least on a prototype. It sure would make things simpler.

Is this a cop out?

If so I think I will stick with my original plan of a compressive faceplate, sight over the limbs. Held on with two bolts (one on each side that secure the limbs into a slight "v" or "u" belly grove in the riser.

Ah, never mind, I think I just answered my own question.

Hi Jake,

Guys on here were discussing limb mounting issues a little while back. The topic was mainly about hemp bindings and metal prods, but the issue is the same in all bows. The limbs when in motion gain inertia and depending on limb mass they will kick forward as they come a stop...this causes bolts to loosen(if not tight enough)/snap(if too tight) and bindings to stretch/tare.

It is an interesting experiment though as I can imagine that a completely "solid" crossbow would have the potential of being the most accurate....but again when designing to keep in mind the above issue.

About the "v" slot, I think this is how most of Alchem(steel)/Taiwanese(FG) prods sockets are cut as they keep the limb from shifting left to right, so that's definitely a good idea.

Ivo

I keep going back and forth. I guess I will just try to make it bolt in and if I don't feel good about the fit I will just glue it together.

Sorry I haven't responded sooner kept trying to think of what to say with out getting too technical talking about glue.

I do like the idea of a glued on prod in theory. I think it may take a bit more work then just glueing the prod on to a flat piece of wood.

One thing to think about is peeling forces. Glues tend to be weakest againt peeling loads. Think of tape, tapes being glue attached to a backing are removed by peeling, same concerns apply.
Peeling loads generaly would come rom two sources. The bending of the prod and asmetrical prod vibrations.
If the prod isn't perfically symetrical in all aspects then one side would be a little stronger or just a touch heavier causing the prod to slightly rock front to back when fired. Most likely not enought to notice or effect aim but likely enought to start to crack the glue. The lighter the prod weight and the less vbratin the better.

Thinking of a couple of solutions. One mount the prod in a tight fitting slot, that way the glue is more of a secondary holding feature.
Other idea. great glue on bow irons. Maybe out of wood or laminate but glued on instead of the pins. I kind of like this idea. Granted could use bolts to screw it down and make it removeable but thats not glue.

I think if I were to glue I would add at least one hidden bolt at the peel point as well as glue layers forward to add to the riser beefyness.

I have my trigger parts made and fit, springs are going in, latch and receiver for the shuttle done...just waiting on glue to dry.

I think I am going to really try to make the limbs removable. It just seems like I am setting myself up for heartbreak when a limb goes. I already have extra limbs made so it would be cool to try different lamination combos as well and experiment. So, I guess that's that.

More trigger fiddling today...ugh, getting there.

Picked up a welder today, should make this stuff a lot easier. Also got a red dot scope for the crossbow project, forget the sights.

Ohh going all high tech here with the red dot. Sweet

I need to pick up a welder one of these days as well but it is after getting a belt sander/grinder.
But it sounds like the project is coming along.