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Author Topic: Snake backing questions  (Read 5623 times)

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Offline mspink

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Snake backing questions
« on: October 20, 2010, 01:24:05 pm »
Hello.. I'm new to snake backing but am going to try it on a maple bow.. Was wondering how safe a snake backing was and what kind of commercial glue would work best.. Also some tips on application would be appreciated.. Thanks
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Offline cowboy

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Re: Snake backing questions
« Reply #1 on: October 20, 2010, 01:30:55 pm »
mspink: I've backed a bow a total of one time with snakeskins  :). I had already done some rawhide and wrapped them a little tight with ace bandaging strips, had a permanent spiral impression on the back of bow. Anyway: With the snakes I applied em with TB3, didn't use any wraps. Just smoothed and carresed them until they were stuck down good, let it dry and used a sanding block to work the loose edges off. Next time I'll be sanding the scales down between each coat of true oil for a smoother finish.
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Offline Josh

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Re: Snake backing questions
« Reply #2 on: October 20, 2010, 01:38:58 pm »
I've only backed one bow with snakeskins too and I just followed Gordon's Hazelnut buildalong and tried to apply my skins the same way he did.  I used Titebond III to glue them down after I re-hydrated the skins in a little warm (not hot!) water first.  Then just did as Cowboy did and worked the skin down and pushed out all the air bubbles as the glue dried.   :)  Good luck, here's a link to the buildalong.

Gordons hazelnut D-bow build along TUTORIAL

http://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/index.php/topic,4815.0.html
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Offline mspink

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Re: Snake backing questions
« Reply #3 on: October 20, 2010, 04:22:52 pm »
Where can I find tb3? Is it available at stores like home depot.. If not what will they have that will work?
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Offline Justin Snyder

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Re: Snake backing questions
« Reply #4 on: October 20, 2010, 04:25:48 pm »
Quote from: mspink on October 20, 2010, 04:22:52 pm
Where can I find tb3? Is it available at stores like home depot.. If not what will they have that will work?
Yes
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Offline Stingray45

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Re: Snake backing questions
« Reply #5 on: October 20, 2010, 04:54:19 pm »
My Home Depot doesn't carry it, I got it at another local hardware store, WoodCraft they have franchises a bunch of places. Home Depot will at least have TB I & TB II that will work. I think most guys use TB III because it's water proof.
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Offline Justin Snyder

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Re: Snake backing questions
« Reply #6 on: October 20, 2010, 07:50:47 pm »
Quote from: Stingray45 on October 20, 2010, 04:54:19 pm
My Home Depot doesn't carry it, I got it at another local hardware store, WoodCraft they have franchises a bunch of places. Home Depot will at least have TB I & TB II that will work. I think most guys use TB III because it's water proof.
You better tell your home depot to get with the times, ours caries TB I, II, and III.
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Offline HoBow

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Re: Snake backing questions
« Reply #7 on: October 20, 2010, 07:54:42 pm »
I've been in some that do and others don't. Check another one if its close. Same with maple boards- some carry and others don't.
???
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Offline mspink

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Re: Snake backing questions
« Reply #8 on: October 20, 2010, 10:24:58 pm »
Ok I'll check the home depot here. What does TB stand for?
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Offline Pat B

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Re: Snake backing questions
« Reply #9 on: October 20, 2010, 10:31:05 pm »
TB stands for TiteBond, a carpenter's yellow glue. It comes in TBI, TBII and TBIII with the latter one being waterproof. All three work well for bows.
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Offline M-P

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Re: Snake backing questions
« Reply #10 on: October 20, 2010, 10:53:10 pm »
mspink,   Snakeskins are for decoration and weatherproofing only.  They provide no "safety" from breakage.  Sinew backed bows really benefit from having a water resistant covering 9like snakeskin.)  If backing over sinew, I always use the hide glue, that I used for the sinew.  TB glues work well for placing the skin over wood or silk.
Ron
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Offline osage outlaw

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Re: Snake backing questions
« Reply #11 on: October 21, 2010, 03:20:18 am »
I use TB3 and thin it out some with a little water.
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Offline Pappy

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Re: Snake backing questions
« Reply #12 on: October 22, 2010, 08:05:28 am »
I have done a lot and all I ever use is TB3, I will say if this is your first you may want to use TB1 or 2
or even Elmer's regular wood glue,it will just give you a little more time to get it straight and all the air bubbles out.Any of them will work TB3 just sets up quicker and some what water proof but you are going to seal it anyway.. Be sure and soak the skins to get the soft,then dry off the access water,you will see the back bone line in the middle of the skin,try and keep it right down the middle[crown] of the bow back. Good luck,can't wait to see how it turns out.It scares a lot of people but believe me ,ant much to it.If I can do it anyone can. :)
   Pappy
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Offline FlintWalker

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Re: Snake backing questions
« Reply #13 on: October 22, 2010, 09:41:07 am »
I'll also add that you should make sure the bow you want to back has proven to be a sound shooter with no obvious problems. I'd shoot it at least a few hundred times before applying skins.  I've wasted several nice sets of skins by jumping the gun and putting them on fresh bows that haven't proven their reliability :(
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Offline Justin Snyder

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Re: Snake backing questions
« Reply #14 on: October 22, 2010, 10:06:34 am »
The really funny thing is that Wood Magazine did some testing that was posted in the July issue, the glue joints were submerged for 24 hours. TB II (which is 60% cheaper) outperformed TB III in the tests with a 50% stronger joint after the test. Good old Elmers Glue performed really well and is even less expensive than any TB. Im going with Pappy on this one. Since I am going to seal it anyway, I'm going to use what I can find easy and cheap.


Elmer's isn't just for sealing the end of logs.
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