Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: DesertDisciple on July 24, 2016, 09:15:49 pm
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So I've got a bow with some sinew curing - about 48 hours in - and would like some input.
I reverse braced it to pull it into a bit of reflex, as I've read that's a good idea (yes the tips are flipped). I erred on the side of caution and didn't brace it very much though, and now that the glue has pretty well dried the string is fairly slack. It's not floppy, but it definitely isn't holding the bow in reflex anymore as it 'jiggles' when I shake the bow.
I've VERY tempted to twist the string up a bit and pull it into more reflex, but am wondering if this is a good idea as the glue has already hardened. I guess I could theoretically reheat it but I'd like to avoid that as it looks pretty good as is. I've got a steel S hook on the string that I was using to change length during pre-tillering - much like the washer idea I've seen, but I just loop it over the hook a couple times.
Has anyone increased reflex during the sinew curing process? Any input welcome, and thanks!
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Yes you can tighten it up, I always do.
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I would also. It's got lots more curing to do and the less work it has to do to reflex itself the more reflex you should end up with.
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I'm VERY happy to hear that. I promptly tightened it up and it's looking really good now. It had been in the sun for a bit so probably the best time to do it. I don't know if I can wait 12 more days... minimum. HAHA >:D
Thanks guys!
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I'd give it at least a month. Put it out of sight and get another stave and start anew bow. ;)
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Hmm, that's gonna be tough Pat! Ill have to get another board to work in the meantime.
Ive also gotta find out how to legally get some of this juniper that covers these hills. I really liked the sinewing process and a short juniper bow is on my list of wants.
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Pulling a sinewed bow too early isn't good! Remember it is not just the sinew you are waiting to dry , it is the bows back too. The wood under the sinew will soak up a good bit of moisture when applying sinew and that moisture has to get all the way through the sinew as well to leave the bow.
Dry sinew will give you a really snappy stave that pings back to its unstrung profile, still damp siew doesn't so all that work will be for little gain....wait!
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You are using hide glue, right?
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Yep, I actually bought some good quality glue from Pine Hollow. Really love the smell for some reason.
Alright I will trust y'all ;) its been so dry here I figured I could get away with a couple weeks but better 'excellent' thank 'okay' I guess. I'll put it on the calender. ;D
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What the others said.
I shorten the cord for bracing backwards every day or two while sinew curing. So you get the most benefit.
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I appreciate all the feedback. Here is what she looks like since being sinewed Friday evening
(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8868/27934447744_69300dde61_c.jpg)
Its sort of cocked back toward the wall as the hooks curve up away. The bow underneath is my latest, and my wife's. It will get its own post as soon as she will pose with it 8)
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So its been 2 weeks. Ive pledged to wait at least a month to resume tillering.
Am I able to start scraping the sinew smooth at this stage or should I wait for that as well?
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Let's see a pic how the sinew looks. It should be quite even, no need to scrape on the sinew - this would be wasted material and time/work. If you got gaps or cracks, fill it with sinew until everything is even.
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Sinew looks like this so far
(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8887/28198984623_3b458b609f_z_d.jpg)
I think I did an okay job but there are a couple areas on the edges I thought I could just scrape smooth
(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8861/28198982603_2e67f3ddef_z_d.jpg)
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if you want it smooth you can cover it with super glue, dry, sand, and repeat to the point of having a glossy surface, be careful though you don't really want glue on the surface when you finish and make sure you have good ventilation with so much surface area you really need to watch the fumes. super glue will usually crack horizontally after a while. this will certainly increase water resistance so wait for sinew to cure fully. I usually spread the glue with the plastic off the package it comes in. the entire process is rather labor involved for such a subtle effect (assuming sinew is neat) , but it can really make a sinew bow seam much more prfessional
p.s. there is probably a better glue to use out there
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There was this one method of wrapping or something to remove cracks on sinew, maybe it'd also work on the lifted areas? saw it by beaumont vance on ATARN facebook
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There is a sticky near the top of bow page on making sinew smooth.
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Thanks guys I appreciate all the tips. I'm not worried about the overall smoothness of the sinew, just the edges where little gaps have formed. Thought I could bevel those off to emphasize the crown a bit.
If I don't find any roadkill serpents within the next 2 weeks I plan to coat with TB3 and paint.
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uh..am I the only one seeing this.... the sinew isn't holding down and looks like its going to pop off..... I am sinewing a ERC. 3 inch reflex right now..I hang a weight from handle and let cure..in 3rd week now..I wont touch it for at least a month.. minimum... but mine is tight on bow from tip to tip and side to side...gut
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Really hard to tell from pic.I see what you are seeing too.As long as he sized good and proper things should be ok.Attention to details on these type bows are a must for sure.You get what you put into it.The longer you wait the better.
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Gutpile and Beadman, I know exactly what you are looking at. I'm fairly certain the sinew is staying down just fine. I scored and seized the back twice after degreasing with dawn and hot water. What youre seeing is where the sinew didn't blend very well and the top layer laid right over the one below, making a ledge.
My first layer was sinew I bought and processed myself. I won't bore you with too many details, but in short it wasn't as finely processed and possibly didn't hydrate long enough before application. I finished with 2 more layers of sinew processed by Osage Outlaw which laid like baby angel hair. My plan was to cover the ugly side with pretty stuff. I'm thinking the upper layers maybe shrank slightly more than the first which caused the ledge.
I already know I won't get max performance out of this bow but I'm happy either way to get my hands on and learn from it. Should I soak some more sinew and fill those spots?
Thanks.
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Its fine. Don't worry about that tiny bare edge. If the sinew is holding tight, just forget about it and move along. Once you add skins or rawhide to cover it you wont see any of it. Sinew works a lot like wood, high spots to the lions share. If you domed your sinew then those edges are doing much anyway.
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Thanks all glad to have the feedback. Sinew is looking good and bow has pulled into about 2" of reflex. It's been a month and I'm waiting until the weekend to resume tillering. Finally have some pretty stuff to put on top so I'm feeling good about this one.
Now, I gave it a little flex with my bowstringer and... holy moth balls. I won't be able to brace it! I had it tillered to about 20" and on track for my intended draw weight. Does sinew need to be exercised a bit before I start removing by wood? Ive heard to take it easy as coming under weight is a common issue after sinewing.
I did flip the tips and temper the belly before sinewing and reflex is fairly pronounced. Any input welcome.
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Flipping tips+tempering+ sinew should add quite a bit maybe 10lbs hard to say really, what you should look out for is that all that reflex will give it more early draw weight making it feel heavier than it is.
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So essentially I can just scrape minimally until I get it to low brace and then tiller from there?
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That's what I'd do
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I have only made2 sinew bows but learned a lot doing it one came in about 7 lb lite the othere I got spot on but both bows after resting for a few months picked up a little weight ,there is nothing delicate about sinews tention strength it has to get a lot of streching to reveal its self the one Im working on now when sinewed Im going to bring it to brace heavy also the one I got spot on I tillered to about 20 in & shot maybe 100 arrows then kepted tillering up & shooting more arrows tell I got to final draw dont know if thats the right way but worked for me. Sinew is fasanating stuff but has a pretty fair learning curve at least for me.