Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Danzn Bar on July 23, 2017, 05:31:44 pm
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Layout all the feathers for a one limb plus some.....
Rough up the back of the limb.
Mix up enough Flex Coat for one limb about 3-4oz of each.
Start at the top of the limb and lay down some flex coat with a soft hair brush
Add a feather and lay down more flex coat. Don't do much brushing. If the feather breaks apart pull it off and start over.
Best is to lay the feather without much brushing.
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When all feathers are in place on one limb wait until the flex coat starts to set up or tacky.
Wet your finger with water so it does stick and make sure the edges are down and there are no air bubbles.
Once both limbs are done and the flex coat is dry , next day, cut off the overhanging feathers with a sharp file similar to snake skins.
Then apply one final coat of flex coat for the under glass looking finish.
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Here is the finished Bow......
63" ntn
50# @ 25"
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A few more
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my God is that nice! nice to see some of those progress pics of the feathers it's on my bucket list
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Beautiful bow Bill! The first time I seen your feather bow I loved it.I'm glad you post this.this will be on my list to make one day.
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Awesome! Very well executed. I was looking at those progress pictures and imagine myself looking tarred and feathered by the time I was done.
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Thanks for sharing Bill. Like Paul said definitely on my bucket list. I saved a big bag full of turkey breast feathers. Nice looking bow to, beautiful work.
Bjrogg
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Another great How-to thread. Thanks for posting this Bill. It's on my to-do list also.
That bow looks great. Very nice lines on it. The overlays and handle wrap go very well with the feathers.
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That's a beauty big guy. Great tillers and tips. I'm sure Ill get to see it in a few weeks? I need to try that feather backing some day, its gorgeous.
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Excellent bow Bill and the feather backing looks great too. 8) :OK
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Beautiful, well worth the effort. You didn't happen to do a before and after weight did you?
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Great work Bill. That is a fine bow. I am glad you posted this. I am wanting to try one of these feather backed bows for my father-in law. He loves turkey hunting more than anything in the world and has been showing a little interest in "real" bows lately. What better way to get him hooked than a turkey feather bow? I agree with Clint on this being a great "how to" post.
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Thanks Guys, appreciate the kind words.
I'll have it with me at Elm Hall.
DC, if your talking draw weight, yes I did and I can't tell any difference. But the Flex Coat was designed for coating fishing rods so it's fleixable and doesn't add any weight. but feathers are very tough and I believe it does help with splinters lifting etc. I think it is better than fabric backing for protection.
DBar
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Wow man, that's a really cool idea! The bow looks very well built and I bet it shoots real nice. Thanks for posting the how-to. :)
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Here is the finished Bow......
63" ntn
50# @ 25"
I like those stats
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Here is the finished Bow......
63" ntn
50# @ 25"
I like those stats
I was thinking the same thing Clint. Those are my numbers.
Bjrogg
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That bow will get some second glances. Very cool.
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That sure is pretty Bill!
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Amazing look!
Oh, yeah, bow seems to bend kinda nice too.
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Whoa!!! 8)
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Wow that looks amazing! Great bow!
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Nicely done Bill, thats a great looking feather backed osage bow. You made the process look easy but I'm sure there is a learning curve for getting those feathers to lay down and look that good. This post will likely save some of us that frustration when we go to do this for the first time.
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Vow, nice!
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Just plain beautiful DB.Nice work.It's like carp skins on steroids.
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I bet that's one of those bows that looks great in pictures and even better in person. I can just imagine when the sunlight hits all those colors!
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I saw one in person, georgous!! Keep it coming dancing bear
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That's down right pretty, DB.
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Man that looks great ! Awsome
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Thanks again for the nice comments.....it's really not that hard to do. Just a few little issues to deal with along the way.
If anyone has any questions before they start one just drop me a line, be glad to help, if I can.
DBar
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Super nice job on that bow! Love the tips and the tiller!
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Thanks Will
DBar
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Bill you make it sound and look easy. I've seen your feather bow at moon tree and its nothing but nice! I too want to attempt my hand at feather backing.
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very cool looking backing. Im not sure I could pull it off and not make it look like a gluey mess. That job looks perfect.
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Will other adhesives work too? I'm wondering if I could glue the feathers to the back of a bow using hide or fish glue, then finish with something that's not so shiny like tung oil.
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very nice congrats,, nice job on the tiller,,, (SH)
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Thanks Brad, always appreciate the comment on the build/tiller. The finish is the easy part for me. Thanks again.
Eric, I would say yes you could, but I don't think you would get the same "look" of the feathers with a "not so shiny finish". the under glass finish brings out the colors of the feathers in the sun light. I have found that you can not set/glue the feathers on the limb with a softer glue than the final finishing coat. I did that once and the harder finish coat crack all over the place.
I do know of bowyers that have done a feather back bow with something other than what I do with a good looking back. Gun Doc for one had a feather back bow for a TN Classic raffle table donation than looked pretty good, but didn't have that "Under Glass" look. I don't do this backing for hunting bows just bows for 3D shoots and show. Hunting bows are all about concealment and performance.
DBar
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Just a amazing job on the whole bow. Always wanted to try feather backing. It is so stunning and the colors you used in handle and those beautiful tips just make it all come together into a whole package. The craftsmanship in the bow is spot on also. Great tiller,beautiful profile and full draw pic.
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Very nice! Thanks for posting the progress pics
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Beautiful bow, love everything about it, hope to get to see it live in ElmHall. :)
Pappy
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Thanks guys
Yea Pappy I'll have it at Elm Hall..........for a little while.
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I must try this. That looks amazing
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I've seen your feather work in person and it truly is amazing... can't wait to see it at elm hall
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Thanks Mike, I'll have it with me at Elm Hall
DBar
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Man Bill, thats a beaut!
I've definitely got do give this a go sometime. Unless I could talk you out of this one! >:D
Patrick
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Beautiful work Bill, I love that iridescent look the feathers give in the sunlight. Another fine bow
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Thanks for the build-a-long, great craftsmanship. Got a pheasant skinned and dried waiting to back a bow soon as I finish my new shop. John
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Great job Bill!
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I really like that
Nice job all around
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Man I've wondered how you do that! Looks like a lot of work, but it sure does look awesome. Great looking bow.
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Really like the looks but isn't that a serious amount of extra weight??
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I don't think so.....no more... probably less than rawhide. You might want to ask Badly Bent, he shot it a lot this weekend at Elm Hall. :);)
DBar
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Does that mean he took it home with him Bill? I would have loved to see Greg recieve it. I really was hoping to see this one at Elm Hall, but I had to leave before you got there. Hopefully it will make it to Marshall. Wish I could have had more time at Elm Hall, but I sure enjoyed the time I had.
Bjrogg
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Hey BJ,
I think Kim and I just missed you Thursday. We showed up around 3PM.
Yep Greg took it home. I've been wanting to do this ever since he gave me a Badly Bent Bow at the TN Classic about three years ago.
DBar
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I pulled out about 10:30 am. I hope Kim enjoyed it. Greg really deserves it and I'm sure he appreciated it to. There where two Dbar bows going home in his truck. :)
Bjrogg