Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: bubby on January 17, 2012, 09:19:13 pm

Title: degreasing before sinew
Post by: bubby on January 17, 2012, 09:19:13 pm
i was wondering what you guy's that sinew alot use to degrease your bow prior to sinew?
the first one i did i used lye,{drain cleaner}, but it's a bear to clean up and get rid of, i was thinking dawn dish soap but wasn't shure if it would do a good enough job on it's own, thank's, Bub
Title: Re: degreasing before sinew
Post by: JW_Halverson on January 17, 2012, 09:21:32 pm
I've used Dawn dish detergent in warm water on osage before.  The sinew job is still stuck down and working fine 6 years later.  The water also raises the grain and opens it up so the glue works down in a little better, too (in my opinion).  Your mileage may vary.
Title: Re: degreasing before sinew
Post by: Dean Marlow on January 17, 2012, 09:26:38 pm
Just got done putting 2 coarses on and I used Acetone to degrease it. Dean
Title: Re: degreasing before sinew
Post by: paulsemp on January 17, 2012, 09:26:54 pm
acetone, not very natural but has worked well for me. evaporates quickly and leaves no trace. also use it on all wood glue joints.
Title: Re: degreasing before sinew
Post by: Eric Garza on January 17, 2012, 10:10:42 pm
I don't do a lot of sinew backing anymore, but back when I did I degreased with dish soap and I never had a problem with the backing lifting. I never noticed that one brand of dish soap did a better job than any other.
Title: Re: degreasing before sinew
Post by: osage outlaw on January 17, 2012, 10:40:26 pm
Dawn and acetone
Title: Re: degreasing before sinew
Post by: seabass on January 17, 2012, 10:49:59 pm
i used acetone and it work really well.wipe on,wipe off.
Title: Re: degreasing before sinew
Post by: Blacktail on January 17, 2012, 11:18:01 pm
finger nail polish remover...
Title: Re: degreasing before sinew
Post by: toomanyknots on January 18, 2012, 12:21:10 am
I got a question, What do you guys do to degrease and remove contaminants from your glue? Also, what would make a sinew back crack all to heck? Would it be crappy glue?
Title: Re: degreasing before sinew
Post by: DRon knife on January 18, 2012, 12:25:19 am
around the painting trade we use denatured alcohol for EVERYTHING,raises the grain,degreases and evaporates in seconds with no residue,a lot cheaper than acetone and healthier!! I've never done sinew before but if architects spec it for degreasing well.....   Ron
Title: Re: degreasing before sinew
Post by: Pat B on January 18, 2012, 12:28:44 am
On the last sinew backed osage I did I washed the freshly toothed back with Dawn then rinsed with boiling water. I began sinewing as soon after that as I could.
  TMK, sounds like you used too much glue, its too thick.
Title: Re: degreasing before sinew
Post by: Eric Garza on January 18, 2012, 12:52:48 am
TMK, I agree with Pat. Sounds like your glue was too thick. I like mine about the consistency of warm olive oil.

As far as ending up with clean glue, garbage in, garbage out. If you put a lot of nasty stuff in the pot, you'll get nasty stuff out no matter what you do to clean it. All of the sinew that goes into my glue pot is as clean as the sinew I'd use to back a bow or wrap an arrow. That way there is no fat and no meat to contaminate the glue. It ends up nearly transparent, sets solidly and quickly and is stronger than anything I've found for sale anywhere.
Title: Re: degreasing before sinew
Post by: toomanyknots on January 18, 2012, 01:11:46 am
You guys are so right, you have no idea how right you are. My glue was like a thick paste. Like mashed potatos. :laugh: I feel like I can finally see the light. I have so many sinew scraps, and I thought it was the sinew and not me...  :laugh:
Title: Re: degreasing before sinew
Post by: Pat B on January 18, 2012, 01:19:04 am
I also wash the shreaded sinew in Dawn and warm water then hydrate it well in warm water before using it.
Title: Re: degreasing before sinew
Post by: Dazv on January 18, 2012, 07:33:23 am
i was taught to use oven cleaner.
Title: Re: degreasing before sinew
Post by: gstoneberg on January 18, 2012, 08:32:22 am
I use acetone.

George
Title: Re: degreasing before sinew
Post by: PEARL DRUMS on January 18, 2012, 09:13:26 am
I use TBIII for my sinew and never do any degreasing of the bow or sinew. Never had anything lift on me.
Title: Re: degreasing before sinew
Post by: Pappy on January 18, 2012, 10:37:07 am
I use aceatone or brake kleen,I like the brake kleen,just spray it on and wipe it
off,I use it for lots of projects that need cleaning or degreasing. :) :)
   Pappy
Title: Re: degreasing before sinew
Post by: crooketarrow on January 18, 2012, 11:13:52 am
  I have'nt sinewed a lot, a dozzen or so bows. But I never cleaned any of mind only sanded them put on sinew. If you sand it's new wood why clean and had moisture. I had a friend CROOKETARROW that was half IROQIOUS that built bows for over 50 years. When he sinewed ,sanded is all he ever did also.
  I made my glue like he made his glue, so it would BARELY more down hill. Add the sinew to warm water and glue made really thin. Leave it in for a little while to let the glue pentrate then pull between dry rags to remove the water and glue. Sand the bow with 80 grit sand paper. Seise the bow back with the thicker glue. Add the your sinew.
  Never had or heard him say he ever had any problems.
Title: Re: degreasing before sinew
Post by: snag on January 18, 2012, 12:42:27 pm
I was in the local Woodcrafters yesterday picking up a few items. I noticed they sell hide glue in a canister about the size of an oatmeal container. Will this work for backing bows?
Title: Re: degreasing before sinew
Post by: Pat B on January 18, 2012, 01:19:38 pm
Snag, I have a quart can of H. Behlen "Ground Hide Glue" that Sonny sent me. I also saw it advertised in Dick Blick, an artist catalog. I used it on the last sinew backed bow with very good results. Might be the same stuff.
Title: Re: degreasing before sinew
Post by: bubby on January 18, 2012, 01:44:52 pm
thank's for all the reply's, I've only done one sinew job awhile ago and was going by Jim Hamm's Book, but i really wanted to get away from the caustic stuff if i could, thank's, Bub
Title: Re: degreasing before sinew
Post by: Eric Garza on January 18, 2012, 05:06:02 pm
To really clean sinew, whether for backing, lashing or making glue, you can also soak it in several changes of warm water until the water remains clear and doesn't end up with a fatty film floating up to the top.