Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: gutpile on April 17, 2014, 10:58:37 am

Title: eastern red cedar backing question
Post by: gutpile on April 17, 2014, 10:58:37 am

first erc stave..very clean no knots..62 inches long 1 7/8 wide tapered to 5/8 at nock for now... My question is...how far would you till bow before backing it..never done a rawhide backing, done plenty of sinew jobs and that is what I am leaning toward.. I am thinking I can longstring till to about 18 inches...maybe 20..I do not want to brace bow till backed...had a maple backed erc board bow blow bracing after I long tilled it..it was stressed to max r/d design ..ended up being a pin knot in backing that blew... was trying to build it too heavy also..lol...if you aint breaking you aint making..lol...

Title: Re: eastern red cedar backing question
Post by: Josh B on April 17, 2014, 11:41:08 am

I back em at low brace.  That way I have a good idea how the string is tracking and have made necessary adjustments before gluing on the rawhide.  Josh

Title: Re: eastern red cedar backing question
Post by: lukelawrence171 on April 17, 2014, 11:52:09 am

From my experience eastern red cedar is a very brittle wood I have had some in unbacked bows last forever and some break as soon as I bent them to put a string on I would back it before anything else just to be safe

Title: Re: eastern red cedar backing question
Post by: Pat B on April 17, 2014, 01:56:06 pm

Back it anytime. The sooner the better.

Title: Re: eastern red cedar backing question
Post by: gutpile on April 17, 2014, 05:05:59 pm

since I ve no experience with rawhide and I am wanting to induce some reflex I'll get her bending a bit better on the floor tillering and sinew it...I like to set it in between two chairs and hang a 25 lb weight off handle..I'll let it sit a good month and 1/2..Ive already flipped the tips..she gonna have a nice profile...gonna shoot for 55 @27...