burlap backing

[chuckp]

I'd like to apply some burlap backing to my hickory bow. From what I read it seems pretty simple. Any tricks of the trade I should be aware of?
 Is burlap- burlap or are there certain types?
Is titebond glue O.K?
Any prep work required on the hickory?

[George Tsoukalas]

Titebond 2 or 3 would be better in the rain. Get the real burlap. There's info on my site. Jawge
http://georgeandjoni.home.comcast.net/~georgeandjoni/burlap.html

[Hrothgar]

Like Jawge said, Titebond 2 or 3, and burlap should be burlap. The way I apply burlap probably isn't the norm, but I soak the cut strip in warm water for a few minures while I apply the glue to the back of the bow. Then remove the burlap from the water, blot the excess water out with a towell, then clamp one end, stretch, and apply. I feel the wet burlap will "wick" in the glue better, and also allow you to stretch it out some--same with linen. Cloth doesn't retract as much as wet sinew or rawhide, but its a superstition I still practice. You can then "water-down" a second coat of glue and apply on top the burlap, either now or later after it dries. The main advantage to applying 2 thinned down coats of glue is you can control the thickness or density of the glue if you want to avoid having a really heavy backing. Sorry this is long winded. Eric

[chuckp]

Thanks for the replies, sounds easy.

[Pat B]

Is your bow a board bow or from a stave. If a stave, and possibly a board bow, no backing is generally needed with hickory.
  The only problem I would have with burlap(I have never used it) would be the extra physical weigh added to the limbs because of it's thickness and the amount of glue it will hold. I prefer linen, silk or rawhide bow backing bows.

[chuckp]

I finished backing my hickory bow with burlap. I think it came out great. Looks good too, at least to me. What is the downside. I keep hearing that hickory doesn't need it, but so what? How will it hurt?
Backing with burlap is cheap, fast and inexpensive. I have a long draw and now when I draw back I'm more assured I'm safe. Kind of like wearing safety glasses when they aren't necessarily needed.

[bigcountry]

You know I went to a craft store and bought two yards of 100% linen.  You get enought material to back 15 bow.  I also got some silk.  Seems I like the linen more.  Seems to suck up the glue better.  I figured burlap would be heavy.

[Pat B]

Chuck, I only add a backing if needed; bad knots, run offs, ring violations, etc. When you add any backing you also add physical weight that robs the limb of cast. A hickory selfbow with the ring under the bark as the back is about as strong of a backing as you can have. Why add the extra weight if not needed. I have made lots of hickory selfbows and never had a failure...have had some end up badly bent but never broke! 

[Lombard]

Need to see the photos...