Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: luke the drifter on April 24, 2011, 12:33:05 am

Title: backing osage bow with sinew
Post by: luke the drifter on April 24, 2011, 12:33:05 am

i thought i remember someone saying that wiping the back down with acetone will get rid of any moisture(?) and unwanted oils and that this would aid in hide glue adhesion properties when working with sinew.  perhaps, it was something else.  does this sound right?   

Title: Re: backing osage bow with sinew
Post by: Pat B on April 24, 2011, 01:17:16 am

Acetone or alcohol will cut the oils from the wood. I have used both when sinseing osage. Others think that a good sanding and wipe off the dust and it is ready for sinew. I guess both methods work. You still have to consider the oil from your hands as you work with sinew backing a bow.

Title: Re: backing osage bow with sinew
Post by: billy bowmaker on April 24, 2011, 01:20:06 am

i have used acetone to good effect

but on other times i just plain forgot to degrease the osage, and the sinew stuck just fine

Title: Re: backing osage bow with sinew
Post by: MWirwicki on April 24, 2011, 01:32:59 pm

I sand the back with fine sandpaper to reveal "fresh" wood.  Then I  pre-apply a thin coat of hide glue to the bow back; also known as "sizing" the bow.  I've never degreased any bows though Jim Hamm speaks of it in the Traditional Bowyers Bible.  I suppose the overall idea is to reveal fresh clean wood.

Title: Re: backing osage bow with sinew
Post by: adb on April 24, 2011, 01:37:22 pm

I'm pretty sure our ancestors didn't have acetone or alcohol to 'degrease' osage.

Title: Re: backing osage bow with sinew
Post by: zenmonkeyman on April 24, 2011, 09:48:34 pm

I think our ancestors might have used lye?

Title: Re: backing osage bow with sinew
Post by: Pat B on April 24, 2011, 10:02:25 pm

Wood ash and water.