Linen backing on board bow?

[macbow]

I want to use some linen backing on my grand kids board bow. Is one layer enough?
Ron

[the Ferret]

If the grain isn't total disaster it should be plenty. How much weight and how long of draw deoes your grandkid have? (grandkids come in all sizes)

[macbow]

We're talking 3 AND 4 YEAR OLDS. Maybe 15# Max and draw is guessing, 13 inches. I mostly want to make the bow bullet proof for safety.
Ron

[the Ferret]

Gee at that age, I can't imagine them breaking the bows by drawing and shooting them, but even if they do break, the linen will at least keep them in one piece.For even more protection you could use denim.

[macbow]

Thanks Mickey, I've got the linen glued up on one and for the other I'm going to try it unbacked.
Ron

[the Ferret]

Post some pics when you get them done Ron.

[jeeperjesse]

I've been contemplating doing the same thing, except was thinking of using parallel linen threads along the bow axis as suggested in The Traditional Bowyers Bible Vol. I instead of a thin flat piece of cloth.  This is a hickory self youth bow that I lifted a splinter on during tillering.  Bonded it back down, but want a bullet proof backing obviously.  

Hopefully not a hijack, but what are the ways folks are using to put pressure on the backing when using long parallel threads while the glue dries?

[Aram]

I used a silk tie for a bow for my son. It adds some safety but it's there mostly for the looks. Unbacked should also be safe at that draw weight. Bows that light get most stress when they get braced and unbraced. Even a little bit of uneven pressure can throw the tiller off. At their age it's important to not get too technical tathough. Don't worry, have fun with them and they'll pick up on the joy of shooting arrows. Also, on shootin: children get a lot of joy out of seeing arrows fly. At their age shooting for distance rather than for a target is where they find most reward.
Good luck and have fun!
Aram

[macbow]

jeeperjesse, as you can tell this is my first attempt to use the backing. From my 2 hours worth of experience, I found that if a few stray threads are floating around they leave a bump on the surface. In my case I applied glue then the cloth then more glue. No clamping.
I can't imagine how difficult it would be dealing with individule threads.
Maybe someone will pipe up who has experience.
Ron

[Dingus]

That's a nice thing about covering board bows with cloth.  You can use different patterns and one layer should be all you need.  Here's a hickory that I covered with a cloth that looked like snake skin.


Here's Jonathan, on the left, holding an oak board bow I covered with a camo cloth.



15 pounds and 13 inches... one layer of your favorite pattern will be fine.

[macbow]

[macbow]

Here are my grandsons with with their new board bows.
This is Ben.

This is Dominick shooting his first arrow from his new board bow.

Ron

[SCATTERSHOT]

I have a 55# hickory flatbow that is backed with silk, it's holding up fine.

[KrEn]

Just an idea for the thread backing:

You could weave it together with some very thin thread across. Then glue it on

K