cotton for backing

[Doug A]

Will cotton from a t-shirt work for a backing on a 20 lbs or less board bow?  I will be using hickory or red oak, which ever I can get my hands on.  I figure that this should work since the function of a backing on a bow this light is to keep splinters from rising on the back.

[Okie 1]

I've used a sleeve from a camo cotton shirt and it worked great. Not sure of the strength because it was on an Osage bow that pulled 35#@26. But it does look cool. It should work on a low poundage bow just fine.

[Doug A]

thanks.  other replies on stickbow.com suggested that the t-shirt material was useless.  I guess if I select my board carefully I should have little to worry about.

[Pat B]

The t-shirt, when matched with the glue will make a good backing. There are other options that might be better, like silk, linen or even brown paper, but for a bow that light, the cotton will work fine.
  If the proper board is used and George's directions are followed, no backing is necessary.

[shamus]

yeah, like I said over at the other site: denim is your better bet.

But I've had board bows break with denim, so you still have to choose carefully with a board.

You should look at Jawge's site:  http://georgeandjoni.home.comcast.net/~georgeandjoni/archer.html

Or on Sam's site:  http://www.geocities.com/salampsio/

They have great info on board bows.

[Doug A]

I've read both sites and plan to make a bow following Sam's buildalong.  I don't really like the way the drywall tape looks,,so I was looking for a simple alternative.

[Pat B]

The problem with cotton and especially cotton as thick as denim is once it is saturated with glue you have added lots of unnecessary weight which will slow down the bow and add to hand shock. With silk or linen, they are thin and strong and will add some weight but not as much as cotton or denim. Even brown grocery bag paper, when saturated with glue is a better alternative than cotton or denim.IMO  When the glue and material have cured out, it makes a matrix like fiberglass, that is stronger than the two components individually.
  For a board bow of 20# or less, I don't think any backing is necessary if the proper board is picked and the proper methods are used.    Pat

[Doug A]

Thanks for the input, guys.  I'll find the best board that I can and go from there.

[Pat B]

If I'm using a backing on kids bows I like to use a solid light color so the kids can put the decorations of their liking to personalize their bow. Pat

[Roy Steele]

One question who do you water proof it.

[Doug A]

I plan on using the stuff that Sam recommends(Deft) or a spray polyurethane.  BTW, I decided to go with the drywall tape backing.  I saw a couple pics of a bow with a different color paint over the tape and it looked pretty good.  I figure that the texture with a muted color(brown/ green/ black) and matte finish will result in a good looking bow.