Main Discussion Area > Bows
Quick question about sinew
JW_Halverson:
I am gonna jump in and say that two weeks in even a dry climate like mine in the upper great plains is still not enough. Plenty of the moisture from the sinew and hide glue migrates into the wood and until that moisture is out you are just beating your head against the wall.
Get a decent little kitchen scale that weighs down to half grams, tenths would be better. Runs about $20 USD. Weigh the bow every few days and record the weights. When the bow has not lost weight for two to three weeks straight, then I'd say go forward with working on it.
The last bow I sinewed lost the last gram and stayed steady a full month after sinewing was finished and this was a bow I was leaving in the hot South Dakota sun during the day! Being patient never harms anything.
superdav95:
--- Quote from: JW_Halverson on August 20, 2023, 08:18:03 pm ---I am gonna jump in and say that two weeks in even a dry climate like mine in the upper great plains is still not enough. Plenty of the moisture from the sinew and hide glue migrates into the wood and until that moisture is out you are just beating your head against the wall.
Get a decent little kitchen scale that weighs down to half grams, tenths would be better. Runs about $20 USD. Weigh the bow every few days and record the weights. When the bow has not lost weight for two to three weeks straight, then I'd say go forward with working on it.
I would have to agree with this too. I too would check the weight every few days. This makes sense and is good practice to follow. The only thing I’ll say is that for me the 2 weeks was fine for my single layer of 25-30 grams dry weight of sinew for my first layer. As the second and third layers get added on they will add moisture to the previous layers and may take a little longer then 2 weeks. It’s a general guide with so many variables. The thicker or heavier the layer of sinew the longer it will take to dry. I’ve heard tell of guys out there even using a hot box to drive out remaining last bit of moisture too. Ive not tried this but know some guys do it.
The last bow I sinewed lost the last gram and stayed steady a full month after sinewing was finished and this was a bow I was leaving in the hot South Dakota sun during the day! Being patient never harms anything.
--- End quote ---
stuckinthemud:
I have laid on a second coat, the sinew is not the smoothest coat but I don’t feel the need to fill any gaps with short filling pieces of sinew, so it’s rough but not awful . Assuming it holds together and I like how it works, can I smooth on a layer of gelatine glue to make a base for a backing, most likely birch bark, but maybe fish skin. If I did that, what sort of drying time am I looking at for the base layer and also for the backing?
superdav95:
I would give it a few weeks once you cover with a skin to be sure. Weight your bow before and after and watch as it stops loosing mass. Let it sit another week in ac environment in house or hot box too. Should be ok after few weeks. Best of luck.
bradsmith2010:
Laubins book describes different ways to do it,, its very informative,,
Navigation
[0] Message Index
[#] Next page
[*] Previous page
Go to full version