[Archers] More on PVC Bows

[Garth Groff]

M'Lord Christoph,

Yes, and as you point out, that sort of damage can be invisible. It 
might be possible that leaving it in the back window of a car for a few 
days would be enough to stress the bow to the breaking point when drawn 
even if it is wrapped. I have a little fiberglass camp bow in my dead 
bow collection that is twisted like a licorice whip, I suspect from 
cooking in a hot car.

OTOH, a bow that is wrapped could have a stress crack we can't see 
during inspection. At least a wrapped bow isn't likely to spread 
shrapnel around if it breaks.

Yours Aye,


Mungo

On 10/9/2012 2:13 PM, John Atkins wrote:
> As usual, Siegfried has an excellent point here.  My only concern about
> the PVC bows is the effect sunlight has on PVC.  PVC pipes left in the
> sun for a year or more become quite brittle.  When used to transport
> water even under the pressure for which the pipe is rated, it has no
> problems.  But step on it and it will shatter.  Thus a bow, which gets
> flexed in a manner never intended for the product may fail in similar
> manner.  There really is no way to check PVC for sunlight exposure.  It
> doesn't get darker or leave any tell tail indicators.  If PVC bows had
> limb coverings much like "horse bows" that would control the "flying
> pieces" during/if failure.  It would also prevent the sun damage to the
> material.
>
> 5 years running the Marine Aquaculture laboratory for San Deigo State
> University made me VERY familiar with PVC piping.
>
> cog
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: archers-bounces at seahorse.atlantia.sca.org
> [mailto:archers-bounces at seahorse.atlantia.sca.org] On Behalf Of
> Siegfried
> Sent: Tuesday, October 09, 2012 1:06 PM
> To: archers at seahorse.atlantia.sca.org
> Subject: Re: [Archers] More on PVC Bows
>
>
>> However, a new bowyer is another matter. How do we judge his or her
>> experience? How many bows have they built? How long have their bows
>> been in use? Have any failed? Is this a new bow, or one that has had
>> say 100 shots from it (that's roughly four royal rounds, barely broken
>> in)?
> But that's no different than a wooden bow.  Is this someone's first
> wooden bow?  Or first attempt at a laminated bow?
>
> Or is this even the case of "Archer X drawing selfbow Y for the first
> time, and bow Y was tested at a 22" draw length, and Archer X draws at a
> 30" draw length ... and ... BOOM"
>
> I've seen those on the range, and I've seen them fail AMAZINGLY
> catastrophically, with chunks flying.
>
> And we have similarly no way to really inspect a '1st time bowyers' bow
> any differently, as it will look perfectly the same as an experienced
> hand.
>
> Siegfried
>
>