backing my 1st bow?????

[Bohunter0908]

Hi y'all I'm making my very first bow and I'm in the
tillering stage and ran into a lil problem I got a lil bit of
Crack trying to start I'm wondering if I back it with some
fiber tape if I can save it.

[George Tsoukalas]

Jawge

[Justin Snyder]

Without seeing the crack and location we cant really tell you.  What I can tell you is we would rather see you back it with something natural. A piece of silk would be as strong as "fiber tape" and fits in better around here. We are primitive bow makers, and like natural materials. As a general rule, we don't discuss fiber tape or fiber glass. 

[Hrothgar]

Like Justin said; linen also works well. Depending on the size and kind of crack, and kind of wood, you might have to use some artifical sinew, leather strip, thread or something and wrap that section of the limb--permanently.

[Bohunter0908]

10-4 on the natural backing I'll try something
besides the f-word. It just tjis bow is pretty low budget
its my first so I used pine and I made it mollegabet style
The crack is in the back about an inch or so long and goes from the
edge towards the center not very deep tho I'm gonna try to
save it.    Thanks for the abvice Justin evrry lil bit helps
     What does jawge mean? 

[Hrothgar]

You said pine? You are going to have some problems I afraid. Pine is light weight and pretty weak, you might want to consider starting over with another kind of wood.

[Bohunter0908]

Yeah I know pine is not the idea wood for bow making but
Its my first and I was doing it more for practice than anything
this was a piece of 1x4 that picked up a $1.90 I have a elm stave
that I'm gonna tackle next.I just hate to give up on my lil
cheap pine bow I wanted to atleast get one arrow off it.

[aznboi3644]

if your using pine I'd make the whole bow work.  I got a couple pine 1x2x6's waiting to be turned into bows.  Its fun and easy tillering.

I rounded the belly on this pine longbow...its around 40-45lbs at 28"

<a href="http://s125.photobucket.com/albums/p67/aznboi3644/Bows/?action=view&amp;current=P4010329.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p67/aznboi3644/Bows/P4010329.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

Pine will work...but a molly style bow is too stressful for this weak wood.

[Bohunter0908]

Hey yall thanks for all the good info i just wanted to give and update i backed the bow with an old cotton shirt

[Bohunter0908]

if i  can figure out how i will post some pics if it works out and doesnt break
 

[Bohunter0908]

Well Bow #1 didn't make it 
Oh well now I gotta make another one

[JW_Halverson]

THAT is the attitude!

[MWirwicki]

Now that you got that outta the way, let's get at that Elm.  I think that you did well, practicing on the pine.  Good luck and we're here to help.

[Bohunter0908]

I appreciate the help y'all have already given
and I'll be get at the elm pretty soon
I'll keep y'all updated and I'm sure i
Will be back for more help Matt
 -Bo-
Texas