Does Raw Hide backing add anything to a bow..like draw weight wise or can ya impart reflex with this type of backing? Thanks
No.
Backings which will ``work'' (add draw weight) are sinew, wood or bamboo, or silk if stretched --- nifty article on the latter here:
http://books.google.com/books?id=oScDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA140&dq=silk+backing+archery+bow&hl=en&ei=wCRxTpCdFObI0AHU5MT3CQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CDIQ6AEwAA#v=onepage& q=silk%20backing%20archery%20bow&f=false (http://books.google.com/books?id=oScDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA140&dq=silk+backing+archery+bow&hl=en&ei=wCRxTpCdFObI0AHU5MT3CQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CDIQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=silk%20backing%20archery%20bow&f=false)
Rawhide will add weight to your bow when it turns cold. I've noticed as much as 4# change when temps drop. No, you're not going to be able to add reflex with a rawhide backing. You can however first do that with heat and then back........Art
So what are the benefits of Raw Hide Backing?
Rawhide will prevent splinters from lifting if the grain on the back isn't perfect.
Will it also enable you to go with a shorter bow?
Not as much as good tillering will. Rawhide is only insurance!
If its only insurance, I got a policy coming in the mail this week Pat! I am building a 59" static. Im gluing my rawhide on this week. I will check back and let you know what I find as far as weight and such.
Give it plenty of time to dry back out, Pearlie. The wood will soak up moisture from the glue.
I got half glued down last night, wrapped it with Ace bandage and made the mistake of putting spring clamps all the way down the one limb. I unwrapped this morning and the stuff stuck down perfectly all the way around, the problem is I have clamp marks now and not enough thickness leftover to get rid of them with sandpaper. I suppose skins would cover it right up. It did work wonderfully................so far. I will give it another 4-5 days of drying before I finish tillering the bow.
You might try placing a damp rag over the rawhide backing and see if it will swell a little. this may eliminate the clamp marks.
When I add any backing(rawhide, snake skins, etc) I will wrap it with cloth strips(Ace bandage works too) but only for an hour or so until the glue bewgins to set. After that I remove the wrap and trim the excess backing with a sharp razor. I also check for air and excess glue pockets and if found I make a small slit, lengthwise to the limbs, in the backing and squeeze out the air or excess glue.
There is no need to add clamps to a cloth or skin backing.
Good plan Pat. I am going to try the damp cloth idea tonite after I get the second limb layed down. I didnt really want skins on this one. Cross your fingers!
What kind of Glue are you using?
I used TBIII and an Ace wrap.