okers... let me get the bad news out of the way first.
at 345pm today, Mad Bastard underwent catastrophic materials failure at a "knuckle" in the bamboo and subsequent explosive delamination over a two-foot length of its belly, shredding the poplar side elements.
Mad Bastard is a dead bow.
I'll get back to y'all with the GOOD news about Mad Bastard after I feed my dog.
a note: I am only slightly saddened, and am delighted with the data I now have for future efforts. you'll understand why after my next post.
Dang. I'll wait. But I'm not holding my breath while I wait. ;o]
(/Real Genius)
Sorry about your tragedy ... er, learning experience.
the good news:
1. I know at leat part of the reason for the materials failure: a failure in execution of the lamination (my error - ratchet straps are NOT adequate to create uniform pressures, nor is 60 minutes adequate time) caused a wide stretch of minimal bond between the belly and the core, leading to a force-concentration point, leading to failure under torsion.
THAT can be avoided next time.
2. Before he failed, Mad Bastard was fired repeatedly both by myself and by the fellow at Solo Archery. At ranges of 10, 20, and 30 yards, the bow was remarkably accurate and easy to aim. He was also, for his draw weight, quite easy to draw and hold at draw (only to cheek - we didn't try to draw to shoulder)
as a corollary: going by Mad Bastard's ease of handling and repeatable accuracy, it appears it is not necessary to "tiller" a bow of this sort. So, next time, the bow will be tested AFTER it is bound.
3. The Solo fellow remarked that Mad Bastard was an "incredibly quiet" bow. I myself noticed that it produced minimal twang. The hiss of the arrow in flight was FAR louder.
4. When Mad Bastard failed, he was on the scale hook so we could gauge his draw weight. He failed at just under 75lbs, with about seven inches shy of full draw. We estimate that his full-draw weight was about 90lbs.
5. Nobody got hurt when Mad Bastard went pop.
6. It appears that the back and core are undamaged. If this is the case, I might be able to resurrect Mad Bastard with some exceedingly careful work.
so... on to scanning some photographs for y'all
Dang! Do you have pictures?