I've been looking at a 3Rivers DIY project bow as my first foray into bow building. The project in looking at doesn't require glass backing but I'd like to back in either green or brown glass.

I'm not saying that you won't be successful in that endeavor, but there are better paths to your goal. Bingham's is the place where most bowyers get their start. They have everything you need to get started in bow building, including kits that supply blue prints and materials. They have DVD's that are great for first time bowyers, and walk you through all of the steps to building a glass backed bow.

But if you are set on your plan, then Old Master Crafters (OMCbowyersupply.com) carries green and I believe brown glass. Bingham's also carries brown glass. You might also check with Big Jim's (a TG sponsor).

Awesome! Thanks for the information.

Saw Green on Bingham's site yesterday.  OMC has better color selection.

Big Jim's has great prices, pretty sure they have those colors

Talk to Sandra at omc.

Got some Green from Big Jim's last year and Brown before, he usually has both. Actually had more than one brown.

Dumb question but is it ok to put snake skins under clear glass or will it screw up the adhesion?

I wouldn't. . . I'd glue it on top of some black.

That's what I needed to know. For the last 7 years I've been trying to get into playing around with making a couple bows a year for myself. Looks like I may finally have the opportunity.

no copper heads on black glass, no good

what kind of snake?

All depends on what's available at the time. I'd really like to use a timber rattler.

QuoteOriginally posted by Mad Max:
no copper heads on black glass,

Very much agree, been there, done that! Don't know if they are thinner or just more transparent but the black shows through and it's not a pretty sight. Great on light colored wood or tan glass.

X2 Big Jims

If you don't like the color of the glass or wood that your going to put your snake's on, you can paint it before gluing down your snakes...

Most skins will allow at least a small amount of color transfer through them and some are very bad such as copper head as mentioned.
If I'm building a bow that I am planning on putting copperheads on, I generally use a clear glass over a straight grained yew free of knots. The apricot color is perfect for the copper head skins.
BigJim

Ditto on the yew or tigerwood without much black.

God bless, steve