Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: sleek on December 13, 2020, 11:59:14 am

Title: Sinew and osage question
Post by: sleek on December 13, 2020, 11:59:14 am
I'm sinew backing one of my osage shorties that cracked on the back. As in, and actual tension crack not a splinter. I reduced it down one more ring but the crack is in that ring too. Oh well, gonna try sinew on it anyways.  I'm going to lay a sinew splint across that area first, starting small then laying longer fibers down until its got a 3 inch split across the crack. Then I'm laying down a sinew backing on the entire bow.

Questions here are, do I need to groove the back? And being as its an actual crack in the bow, not a splinter lifted, yall reckon sinew will hold? Its an inch long crack over a 2 inch back leading from the edge to center line.
Title: Re: Sinew and osage question
Post by: bradsmith2010 on December 13, 2020, 12:15:22 pm
im guessing you got 50 50 chance,, at least 3 layers of sinew and maybe a bit thicker there and leave it a bit stiff when you tiller,
Ive never tried to fix one like that,, I have done some fixes, they just didnt shoot forever,, like one that has a pristine back,, but its worth a try,, some pictures would be nice too,, :)
Title: Re: Sinew and osage question
Post by: Pat B on December 13, 2020, 12:17:22 pm
I personally wouldn't waste the time or the sinew on it. Back breaks are about the worst thing for a bow. It might hold up but for me it's just not worth it.
 Why did the osage crack on the back. That is something you rarely see  on an osage bow unless there is an underlying reason.
Title: Re: Sinew and osage question
Post by: sleek on December 13, 2020, 12:19:46 pm
I fell asleep with the heat gun in my hand and made it too brittle there, then bent it without allowing it to rehydrate. I was stupid. lol
Title: Re: Sinew and osage question
Post by: sleek on December 13, 2020, 12:24:54 pm
Its a 54 inch long recurve, was 50#@26, and id like to get it back to that again, maybe 50@28 even. I have 3.1 oz of sinew ready for it already to go on. IF it will help, I can scrape below the crack in that area, blend outward, makin what is essentially a pot hole in the wood there, wide and shallow, fill the divot with sinew, and then lay the sinew backing over it. At least that way there is no crack anymore.
Title: Re: Sinew and osage question
Post by: bradsmith2010 on December 13, 2020, 12:39:59 pm
if you can get rid of the crack, that will increase your odds of success,,
Title: Re: Sinew and osage question
Post by: sleek on December 13, 2020, 01:17:27 pm
if you can get rid of the crack, that will increase your odds of success,,


The crack is removed and a layer of sinew to fill the divot is on. Now to let that dry a few days before adding more.
Title: Re: Sinew and osage question
Post by: PatM on December 13, 2020, 01:17:38 pm
I don't like the idea.  A back can actually crack under sinew by itself.
Title: Re: Sinew and osage question
Post by: Pat B on December 13, 2020, 01:21:36 pm
31" draw for a 56" bow is pushing it anyway, even with sinew backing.
Title: Re: Sinew and osage question
Post by: sleek on December 13, 2020, 01:49:20 pm
I don't like the idea.  A back can actually crack under sinew by itself.

We gonna find out! heee haw!

Honestly though, I appreciate the cautionary warning. I wonder if by putting more reflex into the bow, it will pull the sinew down harder and strain the wood in tension less.
Title: Re: Sinew and osage question
Post by: PatM on December 13, 2020, 04:30:35 pm
31" draw for a 56" bow is pushing it anyway, even with sinew backing.

 3.1 ounces of sinew, not 31 inch draw.
Title: Re: Sinew and osage question
Post by: Selfbowman on December 13, 2020, 04:56:35 pm
I was going to say you won’t have to worry about that crack at 31”. If you my be concerned about your head upon failure. 😁😁😁😁 Arvin
Title: Re: Sinew and osage question
Post by: sleek on December 13, 2020, 06:04:05 pm
I bet I could make a 56 go 31, I've made a 54 go 28, and thats about the same thing I think.


For the sinew, is grooving the back better, or needed?
Title: Re: Sinew and osage question
Post by: PaSteve on December 13, 2020, 07:40:15 pm
 With all the cautionary advice it appears you're determined to give it a try. Good luck, interested to hear about the results.
Title: Re: Sinew and osage question
Post by: sleek on December 13, 2020, 08:18:59 pm
With all the cautionary advice it appears you're determined to give it a try. Good luck, interested to hear about the results.

I'm a "Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead" type of guy. I still like to know that there are torpedoes present however, so that's why  I ask.
Title: Re: Sinew and osage question
Post by: scp on December 13, 2020, 11:36:21 pm
This is just a speculation, but you can thin it even further and add a bamboo core before the sinew. This is rather like using the Osage just as a "horn" belly and assembling the whole bow again. Good luck.
Title: Re: Sinew and osage question
Post by: sleek on December 14, 2020, 05:13:23 am
If I had the bamboo to do it with i would try that. I do have another failed bow just like this one I can try that with. Maybe I will. I could take it down to 20 pounds at full draw, heat the entire thing in an oven to get a solid heat treat, glue the bamboo on, then lay up sinew. Could be fun. Next time though.
Title: Re: Sinew and osage question
Post by: PatM on December 14, 2020, 06:24:11 am
 Do  you have any hickory?   
Title: Re: Sinew and osage question
Post by: sleek on December 14, 2020, 08:32:52 am
Nope, but the store does. What have you in mind?
Title: Re: Sinew and osage question
Post by: PatM on December 14, 2020, 08:30:20 pm
The tri-lam idea with hickory and sinew added to it.