Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: jeffp51 on March 20, 2015, 01:01:13 am
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What are some ways to seal/ protect a sinew backing? snakeskin is one, I know. Are there any others? What happens if you put tung oil or tru oil or polyeurethane on it? The bow is juniper--if it makes it to being a bow. the sinew has been curing for almost a month, and soon I will start working on it again.
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Tung oil or tru oil is fine, although it's a glossy finish
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Just remember that you can't totally 'seal' it,just slow down moisture transfer. Tung oil will work well.
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Shellac is a great base coat under the tung oil or tru oil.
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Birchbark with extra finish of choice on top of the bark. (http://i399.photobucket.com/albums/pp78/pat_05/IMG_0884.jpg)
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I've used Tru-Oil, poly and TBIII over sinew as a sealer and over snake skins covering sinew. I use satin poly over Tru-Oil to cut the shine of Tru-Oil.
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Rawhide works great and is easy to paint designs on or stain
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i have used sealer as mentioned above,, and I have painted with acrylic,, and then sprayed with poly,,I think painting gives you a very durable barrier,,,for example if you have tung oil as a finish on a bow,, in hard use,, it will need to be refreshed,, but a good paint job will last for years,,
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I am trying to decide what will look "right" for the style. I am not trying to make a replica bow, but the Utah juniper needs a finish that will compliment it properly. If I were to paint something, it would be very minimal. I love that birch bark--but it seems to be an eastern style. I love the suggestions. I still have some time to think. . .
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well really hard to go wrong with a poly finish,, satin,,,still shows the beauty of the sinew and wood,, I have painted sinew a very neutral color as well,, just depends on how much bad weather you expect to use it in,, I hunted in the rain alot in texas,, so the look was secondary to keeping the sinew dry( i painted the whole bow so there was no seam for water to get in,,,,,but if I was just using in fair weather,,, I would go with what looked the best for sure,, i just finished a bow for a friend,, and I used archival varnish for oil painting,, on the sinew,, whew that looked nice,, but I dont think it would hold up to bad weather,, it did have uv protection :)
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I haven't tried it yet, but heavily smoking it, might do well for providing some moisture resistance in combination with another finish.
+1 for shellac as base coat over the sinew.
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How about beeswax and lard?
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Wax is what I seal my personal bows with. I've also covered 3 sinewed bows with wax one with bear grease. What I like about wax every year I redo the wax. I have a new looking bow each time.
I also once cover the sinew with cut turtle scales.
LOOKED KINDA PRIMITIVE,LOOKED GOOD
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I like the beeswax idea. Also, what happens if you sand the stuff? what grit should be used if it works? My sinewing job is not as pretty as some I have seen here. I am still new to much of this.
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I wouldn't sand it too much Jeff. Mine isn't smooth either. Maybe with time we will get there. ;) the stuff I made today seems to be pretty sweet. 3 parts olive oil one part wax. My hands are so smooth now. Lol
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I was wondering where you had been. I hadn't heard from you for a while. the stuff you made--is that for sealing wood, or did you have another purpose for it. Did you just melt the wax and add the oil?
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http://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/index.php/topic,43246.0.html
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I melted the wax in a double boiler, and then added the oil. It will solidify the wax a bit so keep heating it until its all liquid. Then let it cool. It will melt again at body temp.
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Thanks Pat, I followed that how to, but somehow didn't get the same results. Still need practice, I guess.
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Thanks Pat, I followed that how to, but somehow didn't get the same results. Still need practice, I guess.
What happened?
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A couple of things. first I used a wrap made from an old t-shirt cut into a long strip instead of a bed sheet. It seemed to stick a little, and the glue soaked into the knit instead of weeping through like the buildalong shows. I also didn't have enough inner tube to do that step right. I think it will be fine, it just isn't as pretty as yours. It looks more primitive, maybe. The reflex seems to be holding, so I am optimistic. I have since acquired an old bed sheet (wife wouldn't let me use hers for some reason) so the next time may be better.
Does sinew allow a bow to bend further than a self bow would?, or does it just reinforce a weak back?