I'm aware that most use dried skins on a bow, after re-hydrating of course. I also seem to recall that you can use green snake skins. I have two snakes in the freezer that I haven't skinned yet, and was thinking I could glue them on my bow fresh without drying, as long as all the flesh has been removed. What do you pros say? :)
Yes, you can.
Yes you can. I would wash the skins with Dawn dish soap to remove any oils that might be on them. I do this with all snake skins and rawhide.
I also like to use freash skins.If I can.
Thanks guys!
Not sure what I did wrong, but these skins aren't dry enough to trim the edges after 12 hours.
ive been skinning snakes for three seasons now and ive learned that in this humid environment that we live in ,in the south east atlantic states, that it takes about five to seven days for the skins to dry before you can handle them without ill effects. hope this helps marty. good luck with the skins, ruddy
Thanks Ruddy, that's kinda what I'm thinking too. I used TB II, and they are drying, but slowly. These skins are thick, which probably isn't helping anything. Maybe they'll be dry enough tonight for me to trim the edges.
Don't worry about trimming let them dry and sand the edges with 220 sandpaper and you will have a nice clean edge.
At the 24 hour point last nite, my skins were dry on the edges. Everything but the edges was still wet! You could move the skin with your finger, feeling the slippery, wet Tight Bond II beneath. I put my heat lamps to the limbs! This morning they were drying much faster. This is crazy! I've heard folks talk like they are suppose to dry much faster than this. You guys think it's because these skins were green?
no marty its not.it just takes a while for the skins to dry. you would be surprised on how long it takes for them things to dry. be patient. when i skinned my first snake and pinned it to a board to dry i would come back every hour or so to check. thats when i figured out just set it aside and forget it for a few days. you'll see
ive had skins take a week to dry before completely, it just depends on the environment. fans and a little heat will certainly help.
It sounds like the skins prohibit the glue from releasing it's moisture at a rate we're used to. Great post Apex, I've been wanting to back a bow too and this helps. Well, so does having skins! Good luck bro. Looking forward to the final.
I think they are finally dry, but I've been putting them under my heat lamps every morning and every night for 4-5 hours. Five and one half days! I think the green skins contributed to the excessive drying time.
Get that bow skinned Marty. I need to see them.
Shawn
I'll take you a photo. All that's left is final sanding the bow and I'll spray her out.
very cool marty , i knew it would take about 5-7 days i guess the heat lamps helped some. cant wait to see the finished product, ruddy
The snake skins are dry and this one is ready for final sanding/finish spraying. I'm thinking this might be the final solution for this model, cause I really like her.
(http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o203/Apex-Predator/Bow%20Building/10-08-101.jpg)
(http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o203/Apex-Predator/Bow%20Building/10-08-102.jpg)
(http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o203/Apex-Predator/Bow%20Building/10-08-103.jpg)
(http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o203/Apex-Predator/Bow%20Building/10-08-104.jpg)
(http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o203/Apex-Predator/Bow%20Building/10-08-105.jpg)
Nice Marty. Looks great
That bow is wicked awesome. I love how the skins turned out. I bet she'll finish REAL nice. Good work Apex.
Awesome Looking Bow Marty. Once again you have outdone yourself.
Maybe you will draw my name for the next "Bow Swap"
Shawn
Wow, that looks really good!
Looks nice. I'm glad to see this thread I have a rattler still in the freezer. Now I just need to get one more.
:thumbsup: :thumbsup:
I found some air bubbles under the skins on one limb. I cut through the skin and applied some CA glue throught the hole. Hopefully it will hold. I think I'm gonna do lots of shooting before finishing this one.
Awesome job Marty ! The skins look sweet.
----------
Andy
Here is my third prototype of my "Wassaw". She is 60" NTN and draws 53@28. I'm liking this one, and think I may have the final version worked out. Lot's of shooting ahead, and hopefully a kill this weekend! What do my buddies think?
(http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o203/Apex-Predator/Apex%20bows/W041101.jpg)
(http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o203/Apex-Predator/Apex%20bows/W041102.jpg)
(http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o203/Apex-Predator/Apex%20bows/W041104.jpg)
(http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o203/Apex-Predator/Apex%20bows/W041105.jpg)
(http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o203/Apex-Predator/Apex%20bows/W041103.jpg)
(http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o203/Apex-Predator/Apex%20bows/W041107.jpg)
A few more!
(http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o203/Apex-Predator/Apex%20bows/W041109.jpg)
(http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o203/Apex-Predator/Apex%20bows/W041108.jpg)
(http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o203/Apex-Predator/Apex%20bows/W0411010.jpg)
(http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o203/Apex-Predator/Apex%20bows/W041106.jpg)
Outstanding Job Buddy!!! I think you should let her taste the swine.
Shawn
you did a great job for the first set of skins. my first set had some space between scales because of stretch when i was laying them down. wood combo is also very nice. what finish did you use on the skins?
Looks really pretty Apex. Can I use pretty here? Good luck hunting with it.
-Jeremy :coffee:
Great bow Marty! Excellent job as always!
looks great marty, now ya gotta get it bloody