Laying rawhide on a wiggle

[upstatenybowyer]

I'm ready to put some rawhide on the bow below. I bought one of those 24" diameter goatskin drum heads from that big auction site. I'm wondering, do I just cut straight strips and when they're wet follow the wiggle or do I trace around the wiggle onto the hide and cut around it?

Hope this question is clear. Thanks in advance!

[Pat B]

I'd cut a strip but make it a little wider. Once the rawhide is wet it should follow the wiggle.

[upstatenybowyer]

Cool. Thanks Pat. 

[Weylin]

I'd do like Pat. Not sure how much it would matter but hide has "grain" just like wood. It seems like cutting a snaky pattern in the rawhide might take away from it's integrity a bit. Then again, maybe not. 

[BowEd]

Jeff....Have you ever cut lace from a round piece of leather?Maybe that is what you mean here buying that.Goat rawhide is great stuff.If that's 2' circumference cutting it a good 1/4" wider then your limb width around the edge will work.When wet you'll be able to stretch it a bit to straighten and conform.Here's a way to look at it.Most times guys stretch it a bit to apply it onto the bow anyway and the thickness does change then too even from a straight cut strip.Rawhide is not like cloth made into a set pattern.That's what's cool about it.It's always on the bias so to speak.If it's not been shaven even thickness like most natural deer hide is applied anyway it won't be any different doing it's job.Wrapping the rawhide with gauze tape to let air in till the tite bond glue sets.It' won't change your bows shape/tiller/or alignment.It's' strength is'nt there laterally.It's where it should be on the tension side of your bow surface.Just get it wet and stretchy enough to do for you what it can.It'll be fine.Good luck.

[bradsmith2010]

great advice above ,, shoud  work great, I really like rawhide back,,

[upstatenybowyer]

I did as suggested above and all went extremely well. Thanks a bunch guys. 

[George Tsoukalas]

Measure from the right of the wiggle to the left beyond the wiggle in line with above and below.
At least make it that wide at that spot. jawge