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Author Topic: silk backing, cutting clean edges  (Read 3961 times)

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Offline jermcramp1

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silk backing, cutting clean edges
« on: March 13, 2012, 03:43:41 pm »
How do you get the edges neat and clean? I've done a couple and I cant get the cut lines perfect and straight and i always have little threads popping out, or little divots of silk that dont go all the way to the side or come over slightly
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Offline toomanyknots

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Re: silk backing, cutting clean edges
« Reply #1 on: March 13, 2012, 03:46:57 pm »
I will say that first, it helps to make sure you put a layer of glue on top of the linen (or silk) after it drys the first time. After it is dry, I cut the extra off with a razor blade. Next, I use some sandpaper and sand the edges a bit until they are even, this will take care of the little threads sticking out.
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"The way of heaven is like the bending of a bow-
 the upper part is pressed down,
 the lower part is raised up,
 the part that has too much is reduced,
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Offline Pat B

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Re: silk backing, cutting clean edges
« Reply #2 on: March 13, 2012, 04:00:41 pm »
A fine metal file will also work to dress up the edges.
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Offline jermcramp1

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Re: silk backing, cutting clean edges
« Reply #3 on: March 13, 2012, 04:05:15 pm »
O, ok the after dry glue coat hardens the silk so I could sand it?
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Offline PEARL DRUMS

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Re: silk backing, cutting clean edges
« Reply #4 on: March 13, 2012, 04:06:50 pm »
Yes. Just like snake skin, rawhide and sinew. Once its dried you can lightly clean up the edges with a sanding block and 120 grit.
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Offline jermcramp1

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Re: silk backing, cutting clean edges
« Reply #5 on: March 13, 2012, 04:40:49 pm »
Thanks guys, my wife helped me glue the silk down and she wanted to trim it, but she is a perfectionist and was going nuts trying to get it perfectly straight... I will put a light coat of glue over the silk tonight and clean up the edges tomorrow.
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Offline Survivecrunch

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Re: silk backing, cutting clean edges
« Reply #6 on: March 13, 2012, 04:55:50 pm »
If you don't mind me asking on your thread jermcramp,  once the top layer of glue dries on the silk or snakeskin is it possible or wise to put a couple of coats of poly to seal the bow and the edges that were sanded?  Also before applying the prefered snakeskin or silk backing can you put teak oil (or prefered wood oil,) on the entire bow, including the back, and not have to worry about the glue adhering to the bow's back?  (jermcramp hopefully you are ok with me asking this on your post, I had no intention of stealing it from you just had a couple related questions to this process since I plan on doing this very soon on a bow of my own.)
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Offline Justin Snyder

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Re: silk backing, cutting clean edges
« Reply #7 on: March 13, 2012, 05:49:42 pm »
I put a little glue on the edges of the silk after I sand just to make sure everything is glued down and smooth.

Survivecrunch, I always apply the poly after I silk or snakeskin back. That is how I make it waterproof. Just make sure you give it plenty of time for the glue to to dry so you don't seal the moisture in.
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Offline PEARL DRUMS

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Re: silk backing, cutting clean edges
« Reply #8 on: March 13, 2012, 05:51:09 pm »
Dont spread glue over skins or rawhide however.
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Offline toomanyknots

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Re: silk backing, cutting clean edges
« Reply #9 on: March 13, 2012, 06:04:56 pm »
Quote from: jermcramp1 on March 13, 2012, 04:05:15 pm
O, ok the after dry glue coat hardens the silk so I could sand it?

Well, I was just saying, that I usually add another coat of glue on top of the fabric after it is dry, as most of the glue will be soaked into the fabric when dry. And it could be easy to bump the fabric and rip it. I guess you don't have to do this, but it has worked for me. It does make it slightly easier to sand as the fabric is coated entirely in glue so the little threads won't pop out as much and can be sanded away. Some people might not wanna do this though, as I have seen some people glue on silk backings with like camo colors or designs that they wanted to show on the back of the completed bow, but if you coat the entire backing in glue the color would just be yellow from the glue? Just wantin to clarify.  :)
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"The way of heaven is like the bending of a bow-
 the upper part is pressed down,
 the lower part is raised up,
 the part that has too much is reduced,
 the part that has too little is increased."

- Tao Te Ching, 77, A new translation by Victor H. Mair

Offline George Tsoukalas

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Re: silk backing, cutting clean edges
« Reply #10 on: March 13, 2012, 07:35:33 pm »
There's info on my site.  I cut the silk with a razor blade after installation. I sand the edges lightly and reglue the whole backing. Jawge
http://georgeandjoni.home.comcast.net/~georgeandjoni/silk.html
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Offline bubby

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Re: silk backing, cutting clean edges
« Reply #11 on: March 13, 2012, 07:54:41 pm »
the colors will still show thru the thin coating of glue, Bub
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Offline toomanyknots

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Re: silk backing, cutting clean edges
« Reply #12 on: March 13, 2012, 09:09:20 pm »
Quote from: bubby on March 13, 2012, 07:54:41 pm
the colors will still show thru the thin coating of glue, Bub

I've only ever used white linen so I really wouldn't know. Always wanted to try a gordon-ish colored silk backing though.
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"The way of heaven is like the bending of a bow-
 the upper part is pressed down,
 the lower part is raised up,
 the part that has too much is reduced,
 the part that has too little is increased."

- Tao Te Ching, 77, A new translation by Victor H. Mair
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