Questions from another new guy

[morerightrudder]

Got the bug to build my first bow and have started with a $10 piece of oak from lowes.  I've been following the Backyard Bowyer and so far so good.  It at least looks like the pictures!  My first question is about backing.  I'm thinking with a cheap piece of lumber, backing the bow is necessary.  I've purchased a copperhead snakeshin backing for this and plan to glue later this week. My question is what do I need to be looking for in the stave to identify the top from the bottom given I've not started tillering? Does it even matter? Second question, how quickly should i exercise the bow during tillering?  Ok, Let me have it!

[Pat B]

Read George Tsoukalas' website here om TG. He will tell you everythinhg you need to know about wood bow building.
Snakeskins are only for decorative backing and not for structure. I made one of my most durable and lasting bows from a cheap red oak board from Lowe's. It ain't the stave, its the bowyer.  
You should exercise the stave after every wood removal even if it is only an inch or two.

[scrub-buster]

DO NOT PUT THE SNAKE SKINS ON UNTIL THE BOW IS TESTED AND YOU KNOW IT WILL LAST!!  

Like Pat said, snake skins are for decoration and don't add any protection (unless they are massive pythons).  You put them on after the bow is tillered and shot in.

Copperheads are hard to come by and expensive.  You don't want to put them on and then have the bow break.  Since this is your first attempt at building a bow there is a good chance it will break.  Save the skins until you have a bow that shoots good and you know it will last.

[sulphur]

choose your board right and no backing will be necessary.  jawge's site has great info for board selection.  also i have a series of vids on youtube for making a red oak board bow.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=37EPS0Xs_Tw

good luck and dont rush it!

[morerightrudder]

Thanks for the input gents.  Im actualy kind of hoping the bow will break so i can scratch that one off my list.

[Roy from Pa]

LOL rudder, I promise there will be more than one go boom:)

[jsweka]

Like others have already said, don't use those skins on your first bow.  If you really feel the need to dress it up, maybe try these.

http://www.3riversarchery.com/Artificial+Snakeskin+Backing_i7049X_baseitem.html

[morerightrudder]

Those are exactly what i got.  Artificial doesnt begin to describe.

[morerightrudder]

Those are exactly what i got.  Artificial doesnt begin to describe.

[kevinbarry]

Rudder,I am working on my second red oak bow and I am useing sheet rock tape for my backing.It is ugly as sin but it is cheep and for me cheep is the way to go while I am honeing my skills.