Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: kylerprochaska on December 09, 2009, 05:27:33 pm
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so i tried a damp paper towel and then some painters tape....but then a lightbulb lit up above my head....LINT ROLLER!!! just rolled it over the skins a few times and it took the loose scales right off! Just thought I'd let you guys know....don't know if anyone else has thought of this but it works great! 8) 8) 8)
-Ky
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Thanks for the tip.
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cool, what kinda skins were they though... some snake species' skins are thicker than others... Cool tip! :) -josh
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Josh, they were western diamond back
-Ky
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Steel wool works for me.
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I don't take the scales off,
if they pop off fine, not sure why people feel the need to take them off,
when the skin dries and you apply a resin coating they stay on fine,
I think they provide more strength and protection to the bow
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Zen, what kind of resin and how many have you done like that?
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the rattlers skins I have used were kind of heavy scaled the big snakes must of needed to shed. After glue down masking tape took all the scale skin off. On younger thin skinned snake skin if its not got 100% glue contact it can rip just like it was paper my bows all get three coats of tru-oil then after it dries a couple days 0000 steel wool in between coats help take that rasp like texture down to where it don't make that loud rasping sound if it rubs on heavy cotton camo after seven or eight coats of tru-oil the edges will be smooth and won't make that ripping sound when rubbed on anything
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I've done3 bows all with scales on,
using tightbond glue for applying the skins
and coating with various clear coats
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I guess by scales i didnt mean the actual scales...just the layer of skin the snake was to shed next...the armor is still there
-Ky
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Zen, the reason I ask is, eventually the scales will lift and leave white spots under the finish. That's the reason for getting all the scales off. ;)
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I don't think that is true if you put a good clear finish on,
I think if you are looking for that furniture buffed look on the bow
it makes sense to take the scales off
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snakes always look their best after a shed. I prefer to give them that last shed. Duct tape has worked fine for me. I found that my python/boa skins were way more difficult to get that last shed off when compared to rattlers. Shoot the rattlers I could just rub my hand down the skin and they flaked right off.
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Try soaking the Raw Snake Skin in Denatured Alcohol for a couple Days...I do this....and the Outer Skin on the Scales just floast off in the Soulution........JMO
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I just rub and wash them good in the water I soak them in and most loose ones will come off Then dry them with a rag and glue them on,then rub from head to tail with a dry rag or like Dano,fine steel wool after they are dry on the bow.I tried the duct tap and with thicker skins it dose fine ,but thin ones like copper heads and some water snakes I have used ,if you ant careful it will tear the skin. :)
Pappy
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snakes always look their best after a shed. I prefer to give them that last shed. Duct tape has worked fine for me. I found that my python/boa skins were way more difficult to get that last shed off when compared to rattlers. Shoot the rattlers I could just rub my hand down the skin and they flaked right off.
I do the same also. Duct tape works great on diamond backs and gopher snakes. I cant imagine not taking the dry skin off. It makes the colors so much nicer, and the scales set smoother on the skin.
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I have skinned at least a dozen bows possibly many more, I don't remember all of them. I would make every effort to get all the scales off. On some of my earlier skinning jobs I would miss an occasional scale and like Dano said, its coming off somewhere down the road and leaving an unfinished white spot.
I use duct tape on rattlers and masking tape in copperheads. Careful application and removal of the tape is required, I have never torn a skin. I also do the scale removal after the skin is glued on and dry, not much chance of tearing a skin after it is glued on.
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I have a Freezer full of Rattlers and have done at least 20 Bows backed with them....and the best tool I have found to use to remove Scales it a Big Yellow Gum Eraser that you use to clean Sander Belts with....they are soft and they grab the Scales beautiful too...but I still prefer the Alcohol...it kills two birds with one stone....loosen the tough scales....and degreases the Hide at the same time..
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This is a longbow I did a few year ago in rattler (lighting too poor for clarity)
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