Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: okiecountryboy on March 12, 2010, 05:19:48 pm
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What is the best mix with rit dye and achohol for decorating bows?
Ron
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when I did mine, I just mixed DENATURED alcohol with the rit dye and stirred briskly. I had to keep adding the alcohol to the dye because it would evaporate leaving the dye sludge in the bottom of my cup. Are you using the powdered rit dye? Thats what I did and it turned out pretty cool.
http://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/index.php/topic,18372.0.html
Good luck on yours, hope it turns out awesome. :)
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That's how I do it also, just keep stirring and adding alcohol.
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You might want to test dye a piece of scrap before you hit your bow. You can dye it twice to make it darker but once it's dark it's hard to make it lighter. Have fun!!!
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I'm facing a problem that this might relate to, I glued my limb tips on last night...I used Epoxy and now where the limb tip meets the Bamboo there is some epoxy.....the epoxy will not accept dye will it ??
What to do ???
I don't want to sand the bamboo down too much.
Dwight
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are you talking about excess glue that squeezed out of the joint or are you talking about glue that filled a gap between the boo and the overlay? If it is just excess glue, I usually just scrape it off with a really sharp knife... Just get the knife under the epoxy and sometimes it just pops off in one large chunk... :)
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The excess glue from clamping, Thanks I will try that
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A razor blade will get you closer, if you are carefull.
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Man....that worked like a charm....almost too good....I hope the Epoxy hold's the Ebony tips on ???
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I was planning on using powdered dye.
Thanks as always. You folks are a boat load of knowledge!!
By the way, bout half done with my first bow. I am SOOOOO addicted.
My heartfelt thanks to my freinds at PA!!!!!
Ron
PS I will be having questions on gluing on tips to my red oak. Be patient, I'm trying to learn quickly. Lots of trial and ERROR. ;D >:( >:( ;D
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I glued mine on last night.......UGLY
But they are about 90% sanded right now and look pretty good. I have some pics....amazing what a belt sander can do ;D
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I glued mine on last night.......UGLY
But they are about 90% sanded right now and look pretty good. I have some pics....amazing what a belt sander can do ;D
YES my belt sander is my favorite tool i own. It is from the 70's or 80's and it was missing a power cord and a on/off switch when i got it so I just straight wired a new cord on it. To turn it on and off you have to plug/unplug it. But boy will that thing shape some wood! It's awesome. My two main tools are my belt sander and my drawknife. I use my drawknife for everything I don't use the belt sander for. :)
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I am getting near the stage where I am going to be adding some color to the bamboo backing, does Rit Dye work as well as Leather Dye ??
I will have to order the Febings Dye but I can get Rit dye locally.
Thanks
Dwight
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I would use the ritt dye with denatured alcohol, just remember to lightly sand the shiny rind off the bamboo first or the dye won't stick. dont sand down too far or you will cut into the power fibers of the boo. just sand enough to make it not shiny anymore. I use 120 or 160 grit sandpaper for this. :) good luck
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I would kill for a belt sander. Need to save for one. My 3 main tools are a jig saw, hunting knife, and a mouse sander...you got it, a lot more time in crafting. I take a positive look at it though......THE ZEN OF BOW MAKING..... ::) ;D ;D ::)
WHAT IS THE BEST GLUE AND WOOD FOR PUTTIN ON NOCK TIPS?
THANKS AGAIN
Ron
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you can use any hardwood for tip overlays, if it is an oily wood make sure to degrease it before glue up or it will come off on you. I have used all kinds of glue for tip overlays, 5 minute epoxy is my glue of choice right now. I have used all the titebonds, super glue gel, and Urac 185 too. They all worked fine no tip failure yet (knock on wood) :)
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Oh yeah i made my first bow from a red oak board using a pencil, a yardstick, and a hand planer. I used a chainsaw file to carve the string grooves. It took a week of working on it a few hours every night. I have also reduced 4 inch thick staves to bow demensions with nothing but a drawknife... Trust me, I know all about the "zen of bowmaking" :) :) Sometimes that's what you want though, its about the journey not the destination.
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Thanks Josh, I used 5 minute epoxy on my tips last night. I sanded the bamboo at a sharp angle so the very tip went down to the Ipe and then sanded the Ebony blocks on the bottom all with 120 grit and glued and clamped. I let it sit for 12 hours before I removed the clamps...then sanded and shaped the blocks.....now to cut the string notches.....hhmmm a file/rasp or a carbide cutter .....decisions....decisions
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Josh
You are dead on. The less you have to make it work, the more it means to you when finished. Even if this blows up in my face, the journey WILL be worth it....And a learning experience. I just keep saying..OOOMMMMMM, OOOMMMMM, well you know what I mean...
God Bless, and keep the wood comming.
Ron
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If you want another option. You could try some aniline dye. I use the water based kind. It's powdered and can me easily made lighter or darker by adding more water or powder. Also if you find it too dark, you can lighten it with a damp cloth. It doesn't work well on boo, just wood. For boo I like the Feibings best.