Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: bow101 on October 03, 2014, 10:23:31 pm

Title: Backings and Glue
Post by: bow101 on October 03, 2014, 10:23:31 pm
Many on this site use sinew backing and hide glue.  And others use fabrics and TB glue.  Does the hide glue hold up well to repetitive use and how long have some of you used this type of bow.?   And does TB glue on what ever backing hold up just as well or better or the same..?   Has anyone ever had Backing separate from the limbs.?
Title: Re: Backings and Glue
Post by: JW_Halverson on October 03, 2014, 10:44:49 pm
Hide glue holds up very well against constant bending action.  With one exception: When it is caked on thick! 

I have been shooting the same sinew and hide glue backed bow for 12 years.  It has been overdrawn hundreds of times and the backing is as good as it ever was.  The belly has begun to succumb to more string follow just because the backing is a "no fail" sort of job. So yeah, I would say that the hide glue will not be the weak link in the chain....just long as you don't subscribe to the "a little is good, more must be better" mindset. 

 
Title: Re: Backings and Glue
Post by: bubbles on October 03, 2014, 10:56:26 pm
All those old horn and sinew bows used  animal glues, so I'd say it holds up pretty well. :)
Title: Re: Backings and Glue
Post by: DC on October 04, 2014, 12:48:06 am
Bow101 and I live about 100 miles or so apart. The humidity here runs about 70-80% all summer and we have drizelly rain all winter. Will a hide glue/sinew bow behave/survive those conditions? Assuming it's kept reasonably dry of course. 
Title: Re: Backings and Glue
Post by: wizardgoat on October 04, 2014, 01:11:18 am
It's fine, just leave it in your house, and pick up a different bow on a rainy day. I use hide glue on sinew bows and tb3 on everything else
Title: Re: Backings and Glue
Post by: PEARL DRUMS on October 04, 2014, 08:29:06 am
With skins covering the sinew/glue and a good sealer over that, its fine in rain. Jay Massey hunted Alaska with sinew backed bows, you can hunt anywhere anytime Id say.
Title: Re: Backings and Glue
Post by: Pat B on October 04, 2014, 10:52:46 am
I use TBIII for most rawhide and snake skin backings. If I sinew back a bow I use hide glue got the sinew and the skins. A good sealing, like Pearlie suggested goes a long way in slowing the intake of moisture as the humidity rises.
Title: Re: Backings and Glue
Post by: missilemaster on October 06, 2014, 10:06:17 pm
I use TB111 for my skins. I dont know if I will use it again for hick or boo backing because of joint slippage. I have better luck with smooth on.