Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Stixnstones on February 19, 2009, 01:32:28 pm
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got some cracks after steaming running off the back and into the side of the limbs. should linen or silk backing be enough?
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hmmm. pics would help
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If their running off the sides they could be trouble
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sorry no pics, the cracks arent showing any depth at the edges sooo...
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do you think some sort o backing and maybe sinew wrap where the crack meets the edge?
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A backing might help. The cracks(probably drying checks) should be following the grain so the grain is running off the limb. That can be trouble. What kind of wood is it? Stave or board?
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thick grained osage stave
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Was it a split out stave or sawn out?
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a split
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I once got some cracks after steaming recurves into an oak bow, I just filled them up with white wood glue and they didn't cause any trouble, but they didn't seriously run off the sides
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I am surprised the crack is running off the stave. I wish you had pics. Was the crack there before you steamed the stave? Maybe you just didn't see it?
What I would do is fill the crack with super glue and clamp it until it dries. Then add a temperary wrap around the tag end of the crack. After the bow is done, put a permanent wrap in the place of the temperary wrap and add another wrap on the other limb for ballance. Pat
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thanks pat thats exactly what i was thinking,and no the crack wasnt there before steaming,i do know the stave is aboot 10 yrs old
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I think I know what happened, When you steam a bow you have to start with cold water on a cold bow. Bring both water and wood temp. up at the same time, if you put a cold bow in steaming water, the wood can't handle the sudden temp change and you get god awful cracks. Happened to me. Dismount
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Since it was so Old....might have been better to use Dry Heat and some Grease
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Was it old Osage,My rule is never steam Osage if it is over 2/3 years old,I only use dry heat,Anything less than 2 I steam first then dry heat,I also seal it with something usually Polly before steaming.I
have had them before but if they are running off the edge that ant good,I would rap them if there aren't to many or back with Rawhide or sinew. :)
Pappy
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heres the rub ,the cracks follow the grain up n down the limbs, the top limb shows some snaking and thats where they run off the edge,once at the edge u can see where they are at, but,they are not raised
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check see if there any slight cracks
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so far no other cracks nor are the existing cracks getting any worse.i filled em with glue n wrapped em with art. sinew.have had it on the tree this morn, pulling to 24" and holding,keep ur fingers crossed:)
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now a splinter has popped up in the middle o the bottom limb, decided to stop screwing around and sinew the back, than wrap sinew where rhe cracks meet the edge
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Stix, art sinew is useless for repairing bows, it also has wax in it so it wont glue, Take the art sinew off and get some of the real stuff. Just a little practice and you will figure it out, plenty of guys on here to help you through it. Art sinew just looks a bit like sinew but has none of its properties. Steve
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i was using the art sinew as a temp wrap,thanx for looking out though.well i got the sinew processed,actually was a little fun,pulling from the center really eliminates waste.its 6:32 and im goin for it , time to start sinewin.
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finished sinewing last night at 10:00pm, this is my second attempt at it, this time it worked! gotta go to work so i will work on it later. looks awesome though!
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Pictures....We need Pictures...... ;)
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i know,i know.at this point i will probably have pics of the finished product.after reading aboot sinew drying me thinks i should let it sit for a few more daze. again sorry aboot the pics:)