Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: stuckinthemud on May 22, 2015, 03:06:45 am

Title: How do you hold a bow when varnishing?
Post by: stuckinthemud on May 22, 2015, 03:06:45 am

Hi all, holding a bow is not a problem when oiling or waxing, but what do you do with a varnish finish? Hang from cotton, apply to one half then the other? It's been a bit of a sticky problem for me when applying a Danish oil.

Title: Re: How do you hold a bow when varnishing?
Post by: Del the cat on May 22, 2015, 03:22:03 am

That's one advantage of full ELB horn nocks :)
Hold top limb wipe over the lower and central section.
Rest bottom nock on floor, steady the bow by holding the top nock.
Wipe top limb, lean top nock against strategically placed item on top shelf.
Turn to walk away, trip over lower limb  ::)... repeat as necessary :laugh:
Del

Title: Re: How do you hold a bow when varnishing?
Post by: stuckinthemud on May 22, 2015, 06:49:56 am

Glad its not just me. ;D

Title: Re: How do you hold a bow when varnishing?
Post by: PatM on May 22, 2015, 09:19:59 am

Drill a tiny hole  into the end of the tip and glue in a skewer like you might do to  hold a horsehair tip) Hang the bow from that.  You can trim  the skewer after.

Title: Re: How do you hold a bow when varnishing?
Post by: Tree_Ninja on May 22, 2015, 09:26:28 am

I hang mine up with two strings looped around the nocks.

Or I will do the belly first and then flip it for the back and straddle it between two blocks.

 Watch out for drips!

Title: Re: How do you hold a bow when varnishing?
Post by: make-n-break on May 22, 2015, 10:07:55 am

I wrap my most of my handles with jute soaked in tb3 over the raw wood and hold the handle when varnishing. I wear nitrile gloves and put the finish on the handle as well, but I don't care if my hands muck up the handle area cuz I'll wear all the finish off in time anyway.

Title: Re: How do you hold a bow when varnishing?
Post by: Will H on May 22, 2015, 11:18:54 am

I use two spring clamps at the handle.

Title: Re: How do you hold a bow when varnishing?
Post by: JW_Halverson on May 22, 2015, 11:30:16 am

I leave the handle leather until the very last, so I can hold or clamp it by the handle even if it means the finish is not totally flawless.  Sewing the leather after the finish is cured covers a multitude of sins.

Title: Re: How do you hold a bow when varnishing?
Post by: Aaron H on May 22, 2015, 12:28:05 pm

Quote from: Will H on May 22, 2015, 11:18:54 am

I use two spring clamps at the handle.

great idea

Title: Re: How do you hold a bow when varnishing?
Post by: cdpbrewer on May 26, 2015, 01:38:37 pm

Photo of the rig I use to hold a bow for finishing is below.  The posts at ends of the bow compress it.

Details at: http://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/index.php/topic,41089.msg551913.html#msg551913 (http://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/index.php/topic,41089.msg551913.html#msg551913)

c.d.

Title: Re: How do you hold a bow when varnishing?
Post by: George Tsoukalas on May 26, 2015, 05:53:30 pm

In my non bending handle bows I take a roofing or shingle nail and bang it into the belly side of the handle  where it won't show, tie on a string and suspend it from another nail. Then I spray on some spar urethane.
Also, the nail relieves handle pressure. :)
Jawge

Title: Re: How do you hold a bow when varnishing?
Post by: Dances with squirrels on May 26, 2015, 06:37:41 pm

I take a piece of wire about 9 - 10" long and twist it around the string groove. The other end is bent like a hook and the whole thing is hung up for spraying. Takes me 10 seconds. With this method, the wire actually only touches the bow in two or three spots and I move it a wee bit before each spraying session so that it doesnt leave marks and the entire thing is coated. Sometimes on day two I'll flip the bow around and hang it from the other tip.

Title: Re: How do you hold a bow when varnishing?
Post by: KS51 on May 26, 2015, 10:08:46 pm

I drill a small hole in one nock and use a bent paperclip to hang the bow up while it dries.

(http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd44/kmsnake/20141108_133715.jpg)

a small piece of yarn through the hole makes a good wind ìndicator for a hunting bow.

Ken

Title: Re: How do you hold a bow when varnishing?
Post by: JoJoDapyro on May 27, 2015, 10:11:01 am

With my hands? >:D

Title: Re: How do you hold a bow when varnishing?
Post by: Aaron H on May 27, 2015, 10:35:31 am

Quote from: George Tsoukalas on May 26, 2015, 05:53:30 pm

Also, the nail relieves handle pressure. :)
Jawge

Ha, I wondered how all that internal pressure got out  ;)

Title: Re: How do you hold a bow when varnishing?
Post by: Drewster on May 27, 2015, 02:54:52 pm

I hang my bows with a setup like shown.  The fine wire is a guitar string and its so thin that it doesn't seem to hinder any spray......works well for me.

(http://i1169.photobucket.com/albums/r509/drewsumrell/Hanging%20to%20Finish_zpsncbzs1nb.jpg) (http://s1169.photobucket.com/user/drewsumrell/media/Hanging%20to%20Finish_zpsncbzs1nb.jpg.html)