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Main Boards => The Bowyer's Bench => Topic started by: bckskin2 on March 01, 2015, 06:38:00 PM

Title: Burlap for backing?
Post by: bckskin2 on March 01, 2015, 06:38:00 PM
Hobby Lobby sells burlap "ribbon", is it OK for backing? I have seen empty coffee bean sacks at Big R, but they did not have any last time I was there. Any other suggestions for a source? I had thought of dry wall tape, but burlap was suggested as better for a first attempt.
Thanks
Title: Re: Burlap for backing?
Post by: fujimo on March 01, 2015, 07:12:00 PM
brown paper bag, linen, silk....
make sure its not heavy burlap sack- will suck up a lot of glue- add a lot of weight- all you are trying to do is stop a splinter from lifting.
an old silk tie or silk scarf from one of your charity stores will work well- we have the salvation army stores up here- i buy up all the silk ties and scarves they have!!
Title: Re: Burlap for backing?
Post by: George Tsoukalas on March 01, 2015, 10:21:00 PM
Yes, I've used it but be careful that it is not the fake stuff. Real burlap is jute. Jawge
 http://georgeandjoni.home.comcast.net/~georgeandjoni/burlap.html
Title: Re: Burlap for backing?
Post by: bckskin2 on March 02, 2015, 06:05:00 AM
Quote
Originally posted by George Tsoukalas:
Yes, I've used it but be careful that it is not the fake stuff. Real burlap is jute. Jawge
  http://georgeandjoni.home.comcast.net/~georgeandjoni/burlap.html  
Thanks, Jawge, does it need to be washed first?
Jerry
Title: Re: Burlap for backing?
Post by: inksoup on March 02, 2015, 06:36:00 AM
i have used burlap on backing before... gives satisfying results.

if you apply with hide glue more effective but you can use other glues as well like epoxy etc.

best.
Title: Re: Burlap for backing?
Post by: PEARL DRUMS on March 02, 2015, 07:05:00 AM
Rawhide, rawhide, rawhide. Its cheap, its easy and its highly effective. Plus its primitive and looks much better.
Title: Re: Burlap for backing?
Post by: George Tsoukalas on March 02, 2015, 08:48:00 AM
No, it does not need to be washed. Jawge
Title: Re: Burlap for backing?
Post by: George Tsoukalas on March 02, 2015, 08:50:00 AM
Again, just look for the real stuff. Jawge
Title: Re: Burlap for backing?
Post by: bckskin2 on March 02, 2015, 04:33:00 PM
The local green house gave me 3 empty bags. I assume is real. They badly need washed.
Title: Re: Burlap for backing?
Post by: George Tsoukalas on March 02, 2015, 04:49:00 PM
It won't hurt to wash it. The burlap I bought was used as a tree and plant wrap. Jawge
Title: Re: Burlap for backing?
Post by: Archer Dave on March 02, 2015, 09:30:00 PM
I used drywall paper tape on my last pyramid bow. Still need to finish tillering it, but it has been so dry I am afraid it will explode. We will see how the drywall tape works.
Title: Re: Burlap for backing?
Post by: Wolftrail on March 02, 2015, 10:57:00 PM
We don;t all use primi stuff on here.  I'm trying FG for backing,  Linen only added about 5# and that was 4 layers.  Silk is useless, brown paper bag the same.  Never tried Rawhide or sinew but from what I know and read over the last few years that would be my bet.
Title: Re: Burlap for backing?
Post by: John Scifres on March 03, 2015, 07:22:00 AM
Why are you backing?

Salvaging a less than optimal stave/board?

Insurance?

Practice?

Backings either do work, as in sinew or wood...

...or they protect from lifting a splinter, as in fabrics, rawhide...

...or they look pretty, as in snakeskin feathers, cherry bark.

Some have dual purposes.  As in pretty sturgeon skins.
Title: Re: Burlap for backing?
Post by: bckskin2 on March 03, 2015, 12:38:00 PM
Quote
Originally posted by John Scifres:
[QB] Why are you backing?

Salvaging a less than optimal stave/board?

Insurance?

Practice?


John,Yes the best board I could find was less than perfect, I want insurance against splinters, and I want the practice. I would like to someday do a raw hide/deer hide glued with hide glue.
Jerry
Title: Re: Burlap for backing?
Post by: John Scifres on March 03, 2015, 12:56:00 PM
Just about any fabric will work.  If it is synthetic, you'll probably be best served with epoxy.  If natural, Titebond II or III.  Personally, I would find a piece of silk.  Light and easy.  Burlap soaks up the glue and then weighs your limbs down.

Here's a cool tutorial on gluing rawhide:   http://www.stickbow.com/FEATURES/SELFBOWS/gluing_backing.CFM