Sinew pulling off growth ring/pics added

[Eric Krewson]

It has to do with your wood quality, I found this out the hard way when I tried making bow with side checks. I worked my way out of the checks shaping the bow and sinewed the back. The sinew pulled the bow apart as it cured. No amount of urac and clamping would overpower the sinew.

I tried wood that showed side checks several more times, they all failed somewhere in the initial tillering process. Any wood that shows the slightest checking on the side now goes to the tool handle pile.

The below crack is one of many, they are on both sides and encompass 2/3rds of the limbs.

[DuBois]

Yes sir,
that's just how it looks except mine are very close to sinew.
Well at least I now have some processed sinew stored away 
Thanks folks

[loefflerchuck]

Marco, this happens all the time on my sinew bows. I pretty much solved it with making the sinew thick in the middle and thin on the sides. Also after sinewing putting a thick coat of hide glue on all the wood only. Sides and belly. I have a juniper bow that is 3 years old. It has cracks like you describe all up and down the sides. The sinew shrinkage pulls apart the wood. The bow is 50" long and has a draw of 26". I've shot it thousands of times over the last 3 years and it finally showed little signs of breaking down on the belly, but these cracks have never been an issue at all. I am talking about conifer wood though. There it a chance that ring porous wood is not as harmless. I'd still shoot it and not worry though.

[DuBois]

Hey Chuck
Yeah, I guess I might as well shoot it and see
Did you wrap those areas?

[osage outlaw]

Here are the pictures of the cracks on Dubois bow

[DuBois]

Thanks Clint
I did go ahead and wrap those areas a little and will see what it does

[bradsmith2010]

looks like it might work,, 

[bassman]

Hope it works for you. Nice profile on that bow.If it holds should be a good shooter.

[Eric Krewson]

Yep, bad wood.

[DuBois]

Gonna be a while til I shoot it but I'll keep you all posted when I do.
Thanks all,
Marco

[Pat B]

Marco, Is the bow tillered? 

[DuBois]

Yes, it is actually a bow I had come in light on and set aside for a couple years and finally decided to pike it down to 50", check tiller, and sinew it. Hoping it comes out right.

Man Pat, I got carried away yesterday and just thought about the wraps and not being able to make little adjustments

[bradsmith2010]

dont worry,, you can always re wrap