Knox Gelatin Ratio for sinew?

[Barrage]

Didn't want to highjack Kegan's sinew topic...

What ratio are people using for Knox gelatin for applying sinew to bows?  I think it says 1 1/2 cups water per packet (could be wrong, just going from memory here) on the box.  Is this about right?  Usiing warm water?
Thanks.

[coyote pup]

I do about 3 parts COLD water to 1 part Knox. Make sure you dissolve it first in cold water, doesn't have to be freezing but the warmer it is the less it will dissolve and remian grainy or lumpy. What it says on the packet is for jello, not for glue. So for sinewing we have to tweek to make it stronger.

[Hillbilly]

I mix it up thick, just add water until it looks right, you can add more gelatin or water if need be. 1 1/2 cups of water per packet would be way too thin. Like coyote said, mix it with cold water at first or you'll have a mess. Then heat it gently until it's the way you want it, a double-boiler setup works the best for me.

[Timo]

I use an old flea market crock pot for a dbl boiler. I made a wood lid with a hole in it to except a small bowl,fill the pot with enough water so that the bowl swims a bit.Once mine it warmed up and set on Low it will maintain 135 degrees,which seems to work out perty well.

[bigcountry]

Why does everyone use a double boiler?  I have some little baby crock pots that get exactly to 135degrees I guess are used as warmers.  I plan on useing these in the future.  But I wasn't going to double boil just put the knox right in.  Is there any benefit to a double boiler?

[Timo]

Mainly for clean up Big. Not sure though what you are meaning by "baby crock pots"?

[FVR]

I just use the microwave.

Once it is all mixed up, 30 seconds is perfect temp.  When it starts to cool, that is time to put another few layers in the warm water and the glue back in the micro for 30 seconds.

As far as the mix, I just mix it up until it feels right.  Lately I've been mixing knox and rabbit glue, working good.

[bigcountry]

Mainly for clean up Big. Not sure though what you are meaning by "baby crock pots"?

They are these little dip warmers that usually come free with crockpots.  You can only get like 1 cup of water in em.  I tested em, and they only get to 125-130degrees, so figured that would be perfect.

[Timo]

Never seen them before but they sound perfect! Gotta pic for us?

[El Destructo]

This is a Baby Crock Pot....and thats what I use...when I am done I either Freeze the whole thing or if I am going to Sinew anything else in a Week or so....I just put it in the Back of the Fridge...it keeps for weeks.......

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