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Main Boards => The Bowyer's Bench => Topic started by: RAU on August 30, 2020, 08:30:30 PM

Title: Smoothing Timber rattlesnake Skin
Post by: RAU on August 30, 2020, 08:30:30 PM: I’m finishing a 64 inch Osage bow right now that I backed with a big timber rattlesnake skin that my son caught last year here in pa. Alive the snake measures a touch under 50 inches. Tacked out stretched and dried it was over 60 inches. I was able to back the whole bow with this 1 snake by cutting The skin in 1/2 and cheating the 1/2s down the handle a bit.I glued skin on with tight bond 2 Anyway this big snake has a coarse Scale pattern and I’m wondering if any of You know a way I can fill that in with something in a few coats maybe sanding between to smooth it out? I think I remember someone using superglue In several thin coats or something and sanding between coats before final finishing. Any ideas?
Title: Re: Smoothing Timber rattlesnake Skin
Post by: bucknut on August 30, 2020, 09:53:21 PM: Most remove the scales. Usually before but they can be pulled afterwards also. This should give you a pretty smooth surface. Just a bit of masking tape and they will pop right off. Several coats of Tru oil will make her look beautiful.
Title: Re: Smoothing Timber rattlesnake Skin
Post by: Mad Max on August 30, 2020, 10:14:41 PM: Quote from: bucknut on August 30, 2020, 09:53:21 PM
Most remove the scales. Usually before but they can be pulled afterwards also. This should give you a pretty smooth surface. Just a bit of masking tape and they will pop right off. Several coats of Tru oil will make her look beautiful.

The clear part of the scales
Title: Re: Smoothing Timber rattlesnake Skin
Post by: RAU on August 31, 2020, 09:52:23 AM: Sorry I should have been more clear in original post. I already have the scales off. The holes where scales were and the “flaps” are more pronounced on this skin than others I’ve dealt with. I was just wondering if anyone knew of something I could apply in coats to smooth it out. I thought I read someone doing this with real thin superglue and sanding between coats. I was just shooting it in yard this am and wondering If maybe I’m worried for nothing and should just seal it up.
Title: Re: Smoothing Timber rattlesnake Skin
Post by: Mad Max on August 31, 2020, 10:24:32 AM: I used many coats of Shellac to keep from lifting a scale.
Don't sand or just use 0000 steel wool lightly at first
Title: Re: Smoothing Timber rattlesnake Skin
Post by: RAU on August 31, 2020, 04:19:16 PM: Here it is
Title: Re: Smoothing Timber rattlesnake Skin
Post by: Bob T. on August 31, 2020, 04:58:06 PM: It looks to me like you do not have all the scales off and that is what you are feeling. What did you use to remove the scales?
Title: Re: Smoothing Timber rattlesnake Skin
Post by: RAU on August 31, 2020, 06:52:31 PM: No the scales are definitely off. I used just my finger nail for the bulk of them. In spots they stayed behind the popped off easily with super fine steel wool. I agree with you it looks like the scales are there but they’re gone.
Title: Re: Smoothing Timber rattlesnake Skin
Post by: bucknut on August 31, 2020, 09:27:15 PM: I have a Timber Rattler skin like that too. I think mine had recently shed or something.. Definitely different than all my others. Bob Morrison probably has more skin experience than anyone on here. You might PM him?
Title: Re: Smoothing Timber rattlesnake Skin
Post by: Eric Krewson on September 02, 2020, 09:21:17 AM: I have put a lot of timber rattlers on bows, they all have a rough skin finish because the scales are so big and leave a hole when they come off. The bigger the snake the rougher the skin.
Title: Re: Smoothing Timber rattlesnake Skin
Post by: Tim Finley on September 02, 2020, 07:15:48 PM: I just did some large Texas rattlers with a rough skin and I just sanded them with 220 grit then finished with thunderbird . They came out nice and smooth .
Title: Re: Smoothing Timber rattlesnake Skin
Post by: red hill on September 03, 2020, 10:37:04 PM: I have spread a thin layer of CA (super glue) over timber rattler and cane brake rattle snake skins. Seems to have worked well.