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Couple rawhide questions
WhistlingBadger:
So, I've decided to back my latest creation with deer rawhide, since I screwed up the back a bit. Questions:
1. Is it possible to emboss/stamp/tool rawhide like one does with leather? I'm guessing not, because it would probably weaken it and the patterns would pull out when you stretch it, right? still, it would be pretty cool to have some texture or pattern on the back instead of just boring, plain rawhide.
2. I've heard of hide glue and TBIII both being used to attach to a bow. What do you prefer? I'm leaning toward TB because I'm a little worried about hide glue coming loose in a rain storm. What say you?
Thanks! Stay tuned for more dumb questions! ;D :o
Pat B:
Leather has to be wet for embossing to take well and rawhide probably wouldn't emboss well, at least not thin deer rawhide. It does make a good canvas for craft paints and/or indelible inks.
Both TB and hide glue works well for rawhide. I've used both but prefer hide glue now. Being made of similar materials and hide glue has "suck" which helps adhere well to the bow back. If the bow is well sealed moisture shouldn't be a problem.
JW_Halverson:
Pat is right about hide glue sucking the rawhide down to the substrate. As it loses moisture it REALLY loses volume.
Still, I prefer to use TBII or III because it is tackier and less slippery. I find the rubbery wet rawhide is about as hard to herd as a flock of cats, and with slippery hide glue beneath, it becomes a chore I just do not wish to take on. The aliphatic wood glue (TiteBond and other most other wood glues) gets sticky faster and still has enough work time that I can massage out all the air bubbles AND excess glue. Trust me, those two issues are more important than glue choice.
Both will work great in the end....IF you have no air bubbles or unsightly clots of glue. Good luck, and as always, post pics of progress for folks like me that can't read.
WhistlingBadger:
OK, makes sense. It's a shame--tooled rawhide would look really great on a bow back.
So, here's another one. If I'm going to dye the rawhide (I have some aniline powder), would I do it before I attach it to the wood?
T
Pat B:
I think either but you may have more control after. Will you mix the aniline with anything first? I use leather dye which I believe is aniline mixed in alcohol.
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