Johan S Grahm wrote:
While I am only a journeyman foamsmith (e.g. It's only been five years and fifteen to twenty weapons) but I have found that just using a little sandpaper to scrape off the plasticy coating off the fiberglass really helps it stick better. Also, a little more sanding can help you square off a round core (though, I cheat, and use square fiberglass because I am lazy.)
I'm not really a fan of gorilla glue even though I used it for two of my greatswords (I couldn't find any GOOP and I didn't want to use my DAP) because there were a few spots where it wasn't even and it expanded way too much.
How have your tips lasted? I mean, right now with just DAP or 77 I'm getting nine to twelves months with minimal separation. So does this really extend the life that much longer?
i made a friends glaive with 77 bouts maybe 3 years ago with gorillaglue, and a round fiberglass pole maybe 3/4 or an inch and using super 77 and after heavy use, the thing is still solid as a rock.
after laying down both lines of glue, next to one side of the core, i put a 2x4 of oak on the other side and put 3 or 4 cinder blocks down to clamp it and i waited about a week before doing the other side so that the gorilla glue will harden to its maximum strength. as far as separation goes, the layer foam will eventually start to separate, however, a lil dap or a quick shot of 77 will work. but the gorilla glue is the key to stop the most common source of weapon breakdown which is vibrations
