Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: PEARL DRUMS on February 17, 2014, 11:04:53 am

Title: Tanned skins ??
Post by: PEARL DRUMS on February 17, 2014, 11:04:53 am

Anybody ever use tanned skins on a bow? If so. What glue was used? How did they work?

Title: Re: Tanned skins ??
Post by: vinemaplebows on February 17, 2014, 01:03:59 pm

Pearl,

                  Let them soak in acetone for a few hours, it will make them usable. Any glue you want after that. ;) The skins I used that were tanned were tanned with antifreeze if I remember right.

VMB

Title: Re: Tanned skins ??
Post by: Josh B on February 17, 2014, 01:06:26 pm

I use em once in awhile.  I use tbIII.  I size the skin with lightly diluted tbIII to soften em up and then glue em down while their wet and pliable.  They are slightly more prone to wrinkling while following a curve, but just watch for it.  Other wise, same same.  Josh

Title: Re: Tanned skins ??
Post by: rps3 on February 17, 2014, 01:06:33 pm

I did Chris, only because they were so cheap. I used tb3  after giving them a good cleaning. If I remember right it had something to do with glycerine and the tanning process. I dont remember what I used to clean them with, but whatever it was seemed to be recommended alot in the searches I did. They are holding up great after about 3 years so far.

Title: Re: Tanned skins ??
Post by: PEARL DRUMS on February 17, 2014, 01:09:24 pm

Thanks guys!

Seems the scales don't come off easy? Does that sound right?

Title: Re: Tanned skins ??
Post by: Will H on February 17, 2014, 01:48:36 pm

I used glycerin tanned skins on that last bow I posted Chris. I hand washed them in dawn dishwasing liquid and warm water for 15 min or so. Then put em on with tb3 like I usually do. Turned out fine.

Title: Re: Tanned skins ??
Post by: rps3 on February 17, 2014, 01:48:43 pm

I think acetone is what I used as well, and I dont recall the scales being a problem.

Title: Re: Tanned skins ??
Post by: bubby on February 17, 2014, 01:52:47 pm

I use them all the time, I tan mine in glycerine, seems to me most of the scales come off in the tanning of washing them with soapy water

Title: Re: Tanned skins ??
Post by: PEARL DRUMS on February 17, 2014, 02:01:23 pm

Bub the scales may be gone already. Ill know when I stick tape to them and pull it back off. I have acetone and Dawn. They don't have any chemical odor at all. They smell like dead snakes to me! 

Title: Re: Tanned skins ??
Post by: bubby on February 17, 2014, 04:52:47 pm

when I use a tanned skin I just clean in soapy water, the glycerin is from home made bio diesel , and it smells just like a dead snake, and I get very few scales coming off on the tape, I like them that way better, and it tends to darken them up a bit so the pattern show up big time