Snakeskins over sinew

[kylerprochaska]

How long do I have to wait to put snake skins over sinew...sinew has been drying for 1-2 months and Im snowed in with nothing to do ....wondering if I can get them on...I would be using TBIII but I do have TB hide glue if that would work better

-Ky

[El Destructo]

I would go ahead and apply the Skins myself....it's been long enough....but I always use Hide Glue on Skins on a Sinewed Bow myself....and then I won't shoot it for another 4-6 Months after the Skins are applied.....JMO

[Pat B]

I have used TBIII for snake skins over sinew/hide glue with good results. One suggestion is to put a thin layer of the TBIII over the sinew first and let it dry completely before adding the skins(with TBIII). This will waterproof the sinew/hide glue. The skins are a moisture barrier and will add moisture to the sinew/glue and the wood below. By sealing first with the TBIII your drying time will be drastically reduced because it will be only the skins and their glue that has to dry.

[Kegan]

I have used TBIII for snake skins over sinew/hide glue with good results. One suggestion is to put a thin layer of the TBIII over the sinew first and let it dry completely before adding the skins(with TBIII). This will waterproof the sinew/hide glue. The skins are a moisture barrier and will add moisture to the sinew/glue and the wood below. By sealing first with the TBIII your drying time will be drastically reduced because it will be only the skins and their glue that has to dry.

I did this by accident. I normally coat my sinew, once dry, in TBIII for protection anyway, and then added the skins afterwards after shooting/fine tuning (just in case something happened so I wouldn't waste the skins). I waitied until the glue dried and it was shooting exactly the same as before

[ricktrojanowski]

How many layers of sinew?  If not too thick, and you have kept it nice and dry, I think you could skin it.  For the last bow I skinned over sinew,  I used TB 3.  I did just as Pat suggested.  Sized it then put on another layer then applied the skins.  I think it worked out really nicely.  I've used the TB hideglue on a unbacked bow and it worked really well, but have heard horror stories about the TB liquid hideglue and sinew.  So I would use real hide glue or TB3 and stay away from the liquid hide glue.

[Pat B]

Rick, I think the problem with the liquid hide glue is it has additives that give it a shelf life. Beyond that shelf life it takes forever to cure. I think if you get a fresh bottle that is truly fresh it will work fine for rawhide and snake skin backings.  FYI, I have never use the stuff so it's all hear say! 

[Pappy]

I would put them on now,I never wait over 3 or 4 weeks on sinew anyway.I keep it in a good dry place or the hot box at about 90 and have had no trouble doing it that way. I guess longer is better but I can't wait that long.
     Pappy

[kylerprochaska]

Thanks for the comments guys...Went ahead and put the skins on last nite using the painters tape method...they look GREAT!!!  I can't wait to get this bow done in the nextcouple months

-Ky

[Gordon]

I use liquid hide glue for skins and rawhide. It works great. Just keep it cool between uses and it will keep for a long time.

[Dano]

The problem with TB hide glue is it's shelf life, most stores don't move it fast enough. I'd use TB III but that's just me, I hate messin with hide glue, when there is better stuff for the application.

[juniper junkie]

I used TB3 for skins over sinew with great results. if your sinew job is a little rough with gaps, you can mix the glue with sawdust and coat the sinew to fill in the gaps, after drying, you can sand the surface to get it smooth. a little trick Ed Scott told me about. also gives a more consistant surface for the snakeskins to adhere. post some pics of your bow.

[kylerprochaska]

Juniper, I'll be posting pics as soon as the bow is done...Im going to give it one more month before i start working on it  again...the Holidays can be so hectic!

-Ky