I ordered a tab from E.W.bateman.They asked about calibration.I said i didn't understand what they meant.They explained it to mean thickness.So while they waited on the phone i measured the tab i have with calipers and requested same thickness.
They said they will keep my calibration on file for any other orders i may make.I am absolutely impressed.I had no idea you could order tabs by thickness.It is wonderful to do bussiness with such a caring company.
It's really quite easy to make yer own tabs, and obviously you get to choose the leather (or other material) type, its thickness and flexibility - not to mention creating the perfect shape just for You.
Here's the tab template that works for me best ...
(http://www.tradgang.com/rob/tab1.jpg)
I agree with Rob, I went back and forth with Tabs and Gloves. Then I went to Tandy Leather Co and picked up a leather scrap for $5 and cut about 6 tabs from it! Works great and the perfect thickness!
Scrap from Bretton Village works well and offers different thicknesses in the same scrap batch - good for experimenting. Rob's tab looks like a nice design. (No surprise there.)
Here's one that I make for my bowhunting friends. One friend asked for a thicker one, but went back to his old faithful scrap leather one that I made him about 6 years ago.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v83/jpleck/Tab.jpg)
Davesonic444, thanks for this thread. Never really thought about the thickness, as I always used what was available. Can you post a pic of the bateman?
For me, tab thickness is important - I like 'em on the thin side and I typically use 3-6oz latigo leather.
I agree with Rob on that thickness thing. I've found some old tabs in a flea market box. They were the old Neet tab...not the separator kind...and you can adjust the thickness by removing the center rubber. The shape is important as well...I trim the ends to fit the best feel of the string. I like them fairly thin myself.
Not the best photo but you can see it here:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v134/oldearcher46/oldbow005.jpg)
I will post a pic when i receive my tab or you can see them at E.W.Bateman website.
I have made a tab from some scrap but really like the cordavan leather tabs.I am not sure where i would buy any cordavan locally to check thickness.
Thanks for all the replies.
Dave
Cordovan leather always worked best for me. Very thin, and seem to last forever. I like to cut mine out small too.All the cordvan strips i have left seem to be the same thickness though, Just Right to me ;^) .
I like only cordovan leather. I also played around with different thicknesses and with backing.
My finding was that you could change the impact area by going from thin to thick, or from one thickness to one with a backing. Also, the biggest difference was when I went from sharkskin to cordovan. Sharkskin is good for heavy bows, but I shoot 2-3 inches left with sharkskin at about 15 yards.