Greetings and a question

[paco664]

If you read the description, it does state it's not natural sinew.
India Sinew Natural Gray Colored 70lb 8oz 300 yard spool. This sinew is 70lb rated and is used in a variety of Native American handmade items such as dream catchers, medicine wheels, pipes, bow and arrows and much more.  Also known as artificial, synthetic or imitation sinew.

lol... i didn't read that well enough.  thank you

is there a quality source for REAL sinew that you guys can recommend? 

[paco664]

Burlap, linen, and silk make pretty good backings. Beginners should back their first few attempts for insurance.  More on my site.

http://georgeandjoni.home.comcast.net/~georgeandjoni/index.html

Jawge

thank you for the link Jawge.    that site is information heaven!

[bubby]

You can get that drywall tape off and if you want reback it with silk from a tie or linen , some think burlap is ugly as sin but it gives a primitive look to it

[paco664]

What would be the best method to remove that ugly tape without damaging the back of the bow?

[adb]

If you read the description, it does state it's not natural sinew.
India Sinew Natural Gray Colored 70lb 8oz 300 yard spool. This sinew is 70lb rated and is used in a variety of Native American handmade items such as dream catchers, medicine wheels, pipes, bow and arrows and much more.  Also known as artificial, synthetic or imitation sinew.

lol... i didn't read that well enough.  thank you

is there a quality source for REAL sinew that you guys can recommend?

I traded for it right here.

[paco664]

ok.. here are a few photos... i hope these are decent..

here on my bar... i am only working one limb right now and it's slow going.




and me giving the upper limb a little massage to see where i'm at...

i am taking the wood removal slow cause it's easier to remove than replace... lol

[le0n]

What would be the best method to remove that ugly tape without damaging the back of the bow?

it doesn't really matter what it looks like. it only matters what it shoots like

but if you simply must remove it, just sand it off with a rasp and hit it with sand paper until it's clean again. you're working with a milled piece of lumber so you'll just be taking it back to a milled state on the back surface.

silk is really cheap and an easy way to obtain some is by dropping 5 bucks for a strip from the local fabric store. just ask the personnel for the 100% silk. if you get it in white or yellow, it all but disappears when applied with titebond 3 and you'll end up being able to clearly see the wood grain.

the silk fabric bolts are ~40" wide, so i only ask for about a 6" strip. unfold and cut that in half and you end up with two 3"x40" silk strips that you seam at the handle.

[paco664]

I guess on this one I'll leave the ugly. .. lol

i was worried about doing damage to the back while removing the tape.  But since i already did it I'll leave it and next one i make I'll either silk it or leave it plain. .

I really appreciate the advice fellas. .

[Chief RID]

Wow leOn! Thanks for the great advice on procuring some silk. Even I could spring for 5 bucks to back a bow.

[crooketarrow]

  Looks good I've never built a boaed bow in my life. But from what I seen on here.
  I'd use sinew

[adb]

You have no width taper (back profile) and uneven thickness taper. How do you expect your stave to bend evenly? You need to reduce width profile first, getting your tips narrowed, and then reduce thickness evenly to the tips. Those massive, heavy tips are not going to bend... at all. Your bow will either break mid-limb, or take a massive amount of set. Even tapers make even bends.

[Parnell]

Welcome to PA, Paco.  Looks like you are off to a good start, keep it going.

I'm your closest PA neighbor, most likely.  I'm in Naples on the other side of the alley. 

I'd be happy to help you start out if you feel like going for a drive, sometime.  It is kind of a tradition around here.  Let me know if you are interested.

Good luck!

Stephen Parnell

[paco664]

Welcome to PA, Paco.  Looks like you are off to a good start, keep it going.

I'm your closest PA neighbor, most likely.  I'm in Naples on the other side of the alley. 

I'd be happy to help you start out if you feel like going for a drive, sometime.  It is kind of a tradition around here.  Let me know if you are interested.

Good luck!

Stephen Parnell

nice to meet you neighbor. . We were in Naples this weekend visiting family in golden isle. .

Next trip over i will definitely let you know and pick your brain for info!

I will start the taper and quit trying to get that cart in front of the horse

[adb]

Taper your bow evenly in width and thickness and it will bend evenly.

[paco664]

Ok.. ran up to fort lauderdale and was able to pick up a nice 10" drawknife for under 40$.. *(gotta keep swmnbma relatively happy)

got back to the house and honed it up nice and sharp and wouldn't ya know. before i can start shaping i find out that her dad and his wife are coming to eat... so hopefully tomorrow i can have some me time and get with the bowmaking.

i promise i will have progress photos and a million questions before i am done.