Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: WolfPupTee on September 19, 2011, 11:29:08 pm

Title: Polyester Backing?
Post by: WolfPupTee on September 19, 2011, 11:29:08 pm

I need some advice on backing. Would polyester be okay as a backing or no? Because I have a camo jacket that I don't really wear anymore and I was gonna use the material as backing but is that a good or bad backing? I absolutely have to back this thing because I didn't chase a ring and I'm almost done tillering so advice. Yes? No?

Title: Re: Polyester Backing?
Post by: WolfPupTee on September 20, 2011, 12:35:45 am

Nevermind! Apparently you can buy backing strip made of pure polyester so I guess I can do this as long as I get some titebond.

Title: Re: Polyester Backing?
Post by: Del the cat on September 20, 2011, 05:03:16 am

Dude...
Step away from the man made materials.
There must be plenty of old silk ties, linen slacks, hemp sacks and good stuff lying around without resorting to nasty shiny polyester.
TBB even suggest brown paper as suitable.
Or are you still wearing nylon turtlenecks from the 60s :-[ ? The 60s don't quite count as primitive :laugh:
Del
(exits left singing Good Vibrations)

Title: Re: Polyester Backing?
Post by: mikekeswick on September 20, 2011, 05:14:10 am

What kind of wood is the bow?
I got enough linen material for  about 20 bows for £2 - can't get much cheaper than that...you can paint/stain it to look how you want.
I'm with Del (chuckle chuckle)
Also if it's almost tillered what makes you think it's going to fail?
Pictures would help.
Never pull a bow if you don't think the back is sound, if a bow needs backing it needs backing before it is pulled more than a few inches or else you are asking for trouble.

Title: Re: Polyester Backing?
Post by: Hrothgar on September 20, 2011, 09:40:12 am

Ditto the above comments. Go to a yard sale or thrift shop. Dicarded linen table cloths are not uncommon, and one will back a dozen or so bows.

Title: Re: Polyester Backing?
Post by: Justin Snyder on September 20, 2011, 11:11:37 am

Polyester is not what I would call ideal by any means. Beside being a man made synthetic, it is fairly heavy and has way to much stretch. We worry about an extra 10 grains on the tips  of a bow so why would you add more. If all you are worried about is holding down a splinter it will work. Silk on the other hand is a natural material (primitive archery). It is also one of the strongest and lightest materials you can use with virtually no stretch.

Title: Re: Polyester Backing?
Post by: George Tsoukalas on September 20, 2011, 01:39:34 pm

Silk, burlap and linen all function very well as backings. More on my site. Jawge
http://georgeandjoni.home.comcast.net/~georgeandjoni/

Title: Re: Polyester Backing?
Post by: WolfPupTee on September 20, 2011, 03:32:44 pm

How would you apply the brown paper bag? In pieces like sinew?