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Main Boards => The Bowyer's Bench => Topic started by: getstonedprimitivebowhunt on April 26, 2010, 02:25:00 PM

Title: SINEW BACKING ??? ON BOW
Post by: getstonedprimitivebowhunt on April 26, 2010, 02:25:00 PM
Hi     do I need to degrease Osage wood before I back it with sinew ??? Thanks. Doing my first sinew backing..thanks
Title: Re: SINEW BACKING ??? ON BOW
Post by: getstonedprimitivebowhunt on April 26, 2010, 02:36:00 PM
How much # will be added to bow weight with a thin layer of sinew ???
Title: Re: SINEW BACKING ??? ON BOW
Post by: Mudd on April 26, 2010, 02:48:00 PM
I always thought of it as cast that I picked up more so than poundage. You should get around 5- 10 lbs. Be careful to not go too heavy with it or you'll actually slow your bow down.
I really always thought of it as an insurance policy against breakage. It can also make you bow pull sweeter(IMHO) kinda like a huge rubber band with zip.
Good luck, its a fun project and sooooo much more fun to do than putting feathers on an arrow..lol
God bless,Mudd
Title: Re: SINEW BACKING ??? ON BOW
Post by: getstonedprimitivebowhunt on April 26, 2010, 03:52:00 PM
Norm Blaker made a bow for me once with a thin layer of sinew. So I kind of have something to go with. Do You need to do anything to wood before adding sinew ???? Thanks
Title: Re: SINEW BACKING ??? ON BOW
Post by: getstonedprimitivebowhunt on April 26, 2010, 03:53:00 PM
How long before you can shoot it after putting in on ???
Title: Re: SINEW BACKING ??? ON BOW
Post by: dirtguy on April 26, 2010, 04:22:00 PM
Getstoned - You should get a copy of Jim Hamm's books - lots of good info in there.
Title: Re: SINEW BACKING ??? ON BOW
Post by: Bjorn on April 26, 2010, 04:48:00 PM
Osage back requires no special prep for sinewing. Tiller the bow most of the way as you will need to do some retillering afterwards-wait one month for complete drying and shrinking prior to retillering.
It will add some weight and cast.
(http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q291/bjornweb/DSCN0914.jpg)
My son shooting the bow "how come it is so fast?"

(http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q291/bjornweb/DSCN0912.jpg)

This has been my personal experience and doing some research and learning on your own is a good idea.
Title: Re: SINEW BACKING ??? ON BOW
Post by: getstonedprimitivebowhunt on April 26, 2010, 06:42:00 PM
Bjorn thanks ...nice bow !!! I have made many selfbows over the past 40 years..but never sinewed one. Thought its time to try one. I usually think simple when it comes to my Archery gear. Lets see how it turns out..thanks Guys for the info....Jeff
Title: Re: SINEW BACKING ??? ON BOW
Post by: getstonedprimitivebowhunt on April 26, 2010, 06:44:00 PM
Bjorn ..what finish do you use on sinew ?
Title: Re: SINEW BACKING ??? ON BOW
Post by: Mudd on April 26, 2010, 06:57:00 PM
I cleaned the back of my Osage bows with oven cleaner before I sinewed it. It gave the Osage an aged look also.
I used a spray on finish to seal the bow but be sure it's totally cured before sealing. I had a friend that got in too big of a hurry and the sinew rotted because he sealed some moisture in.
God bless,Mudd
Title: Re: SINEW BACKING ??? ON BOW
Post by: Bjorn on April 26, 2010, 09:33:00 PM
I used Tru Oil to finish-wiped on multiple coats.
Title: Re: SINEW BACKING ??? ON BOW
Post by: stickbowmaniac on April 26, 2010, 09:57:00 PM
There's some pretty good videos on youtube on Sinew.you may want to check out
Title: Re: SINEW BACKING ??? ON BOW
Post by: b.glass on April 28, 2010, 08:38:00 AM
Nice looking bow Bjorn! I was wondering about the finish too. I'm glad Tru Oil is a good one. I like it.
Title: Re: SINEW BACKING ??? ON BOW
Post by: Curt Brisky on April 28, 2010, 07:29:00 PM
Acetone to clean if before sinew.  Put a snakeskin on it to cover the sinew.  You can tru oil the snakeskin if you want it to shine. The tru oil will give it a slight yellow tint.  Not bad though.
Title: Re: SINEW BACKING ??? ON BOW
Post by: razorsharptokill on April 30, 2010, 05:37:00 PM
I used LOWES acetone to degrease then some wax and grease remover that I use when painting sheet metal on Harley's. Seems to have worked well. No problems yet on my sinew backed Osage bow.
Title: Re: SINEW BACKING ??? ON BOW
Post by: scrub-buster on April 30, 2010, 09:42:00 PM
Did you use any oil and heat to straighten your bow?  If so, you need to degrease it a lot.  I didn't degrease enough and the entire backing of sinew started to come loose on mine.  I had to take it all off and start over.  It was a lot of wasted time.