Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: WolfPupTee on October 05, 2011, 02:19:23 am
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Hi guys its me again. So I don't have the real stuff, not yet anyway, and I was wanting some advice on backing my bows with some artificial sinew. It comes prewaxed and I was wondering if I needed to find a way to wash that wax off or just glue it on with titebond. Advice on this please.
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You would probably be better off backing with combed flax and get more protection for the back of your bow than if you used artificial sinew.
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What kind of bow do you plan on building?
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If I remember right artificial sinew is made from nylon. Which had a lot of stretch. So I'd find something like flax or trade for sinew on the trade board here. Good luck. Joel
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get some burlap or some paper bag or some building paper, use paper sheetrock tape, if you half to use a backer use most anything but art sinew, Bub
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I guess you could use it but there are a lot better options. :) so why would you want to. I would save it for sewing up leather projects. :)
Pappy
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Linen cloth or silk cloth. You don't have to necessarily buy it new. Go to a second hand store and find something linen like pants or a tablecloth and use it. You may be surprised at what you find in there.
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I second parnell. Linen cloth makes a very nice backing, and is very quick and easy to apply as well as pretty safe, as long as you don't go too heavy in draw weight. Stay 55# and under to be safe. You have to make sure it is 100% linen though. The other stuff will stretch and brake. I buy my stuff at Joann Fabrics. About 15 bucks a yard or so, but 2 yards will make maybe 10 - 15 bows or more, probably more. One thing that has to be stressed that does not get mentioned too often is you have to find out which way the linen is stretchy and which way it is not. It will be a safer stronger and less sluggish backing if you do this. I think it just depends of the way it is made and the way the strands are woven together. It's easy to find out, just take you bit of linen and pull it length wise, then pull it width wise, the way it stretches least is the way you put on your bow. It is actually easier to see this when you have a good amount, like a couple yards, as the stretchy way will stretch alot and the non-stretchy way won't barely stretch at all.
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The other problem with art sinew you already know about - the wax! no glue will stick to it (superglue a little). Anybody having luck with gluing art sinew please comment. I know some guys here use it on fletching with super glue with success but I haven't had good luck yet. On the other hand, you can make cables for a cable-backed bow and I've read it works real good because of the stretch. Similar stretch to real sinew. And you don't need glue to tie it on.
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I've put decorative bands of artificial sinew on bows. I use Barge cement to glue them down with no problem.
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Yeah the wax seems like a real pain in the butt so I'll probably save this stuff for my dreamcatchers lol. I forgot that I have a silk beginners karate belt that's incredibly long and white and I'll use that when I'm ready. Thanks guys. But if anyone has actually use the stuff please let me know.
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Silk karate beginners belts are usually polyester like your artificial sinew or cotton if they are good ones from Japan. I always bought the cheapest for beginners, had to keep the cost down to get them in the door 8). And, if you cut up your Obi it's a sacrilege :o 8). Go to the Goodwill or Salvation Army and pick up some silk ties for about a $1, or like someone else said, go to the grocery store and when they ask, "plastic or paper" tell them to double bag it. ;)
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Really? Why in the world are so many things made of polyester? The brown paper part of cardboard boxes I guess... but I'm going to take a look at my old belts anyway.
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Artificial sinew does not work as a bow backing. Trust me on this.
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I will trust you. It doesn't feel like it will work and you're always supposed to trust your instincts.