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Author Topic: Birch bark backing  (Read 14750 times)

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Offline sleek

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Birch bark backing
« on: October 22, 2016, 05:08:14 pm »
So i got some bark and it is pretty thick. Does it need to be thinned down? How thick is it when applied typically?
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Offline mullet

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Re: Birch bark backing
« Reply #1 on: October 22, 2016, 06:37:45 pm »
Paper thin, at least it is on my Horn Bow.
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Offline Pat B

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Re: Birch bark backing
« Reply #2 on: October 22, 2016, 07:15:08 pm »
You should be able to peel thin layers off of what you have. Is it paper(canoe) birch?
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Offline Orrum

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Re: Birch bark backing
« Reply #3 on: October 22, 2016, 08:37:09 pm »
I got plenty of river Burch in the yard and they r peeling like crazy since hurricane Mathew!  Can you piece it or does it have to be one continous sheet? I have decided to make a red oak board bow and this would look better than fiberglass drywall tape me thinks!!!
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Offline mullet

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Re: Birch bark backing
« Reply #4 on: October 22, 2016, 09:53:41 pm »
My bow has thin 1/2" strips layered continously down the limb.
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Lakeland, Florida
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Offline Pat B

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Re: Birch bark backing
« Reply #5 on: October 22, 2016, 09:54:35 pm »
Paper birch is the only birch bark I've heard of using as backing and it can be use decoratively or as a moisture barrier. I don't thing river birch bark would be more than decorative.
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Make the most of all that comes and the least of all that goes!    Pat Brennan  Brevard, NC

Offline sleek

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Re: Birch bark backing
« Reply #6 on: October 22, 2016, 10:09:22 pm »
Tight bond III should make it a moisture barrier, right?
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Offline Orrum

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Re: Birch bark backing
« Reply #7 on: October 23, 2016, 10:20:49 am »
I can work with this!  So let's say I back my red oak board bow with the fiberglass tape. After its cleaned up can I put birch bark on top for looks. This is sounding better looking.
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Offline Orrum

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Re: Birch bark backing
« Reply #8 on: October 23, 2016, 10:21:55 am »
Could somebody put a pic of s birch bark bow?
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Offline Pat B

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Re: Birch bark backing
« Reply #9 on: October 23, 2016, 11:22:17 am »
Why  are you using FG tape  as a backing? There are lots of backing materials better than FG tape. IMO.
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Make the most of all that comes and the least of all that goes!    Pat Brennan  Brevard, NC

Offline PatM

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Re: Birch bark backing
« Reply #10 on: October 23, 2016, 11:25:58 am »
Quote from: Orrum on October 23, 2016, 10:21:55 am
Could somebody put a pic of s birch bark bow?
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Offline Orrum

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Re: Birch bark backing
« Reply #11 on: October 23, 2016, 11:34:03 am »
Wow that's great Patm!!!    Do you glue the paper thin bark and coat it with Tightbond II and sand it again?  It's a beautiful bow for sure!!!
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Offline BowEd

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Re: Birch bark backing
« Reply #12 on: October 23, 2016, 11:34:59 am »
sleek...It comes off in layers like Pat said.I had to get mine from a canoe maker in Oregon since there's not much birch growing here.Thickness wise I get it around typing paper thin ten/one thousands thick and 1.5" wide or as wide as the bow.A little thicker does'n hurt I guess but below 1/32" thick anyway.I'd soak it in water then to make it a little more pliable for the characterish places on a bow.Usually around 2' long for my use.You can get it longer if you want.TB 3 works good for applying it on.Sizng both surfaces.Put it on just like a snake skin.I've seen people wrap it on too in thinner strips, but I don't prefer to do it that way.Each to his own.It does seem to be a very good vapor barrier.I use it on sinew backed bows.Just as good as snake skin.
Orrum...Here's a pic
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Offline Orrum

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Re: Birch bark backing
« Reply #13 on: October 23, 2016, 11:37:41 am »
Patb that's what is on a how to site I found. What else can be used. I don't like the idea of silk or linen or paper and have no sinew. I am toying with maybe a one eight strip of wood but that sounds hard for a newbie. I figured fiberglass would help me with strength the easiest. I am going to put a cedar handle on it.
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Offline PatM

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Re: Birch bark backing
« Reply #14 on: October 23, 2016, 12:08:16 pm »
Quote from: Orrum on October 23, 2016, 11:34:03 am
Wow that's great Patm!!!    Do you glue the paper thin bark and coat it with Tightbond II and sand it again?  It's a beautiful bow for sure!!!
   
   It's just glued on over the sinew and coated with tru-oil and wax. No point in sanding it.

  BTW why are you against silk/linen and OK with glass tape, especially on a primitive site? Won't get any support for that.
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