Leather gripalong on Ambush...UPDATED PAGE 2 with pics

Mike Vines · October 21, 2011, 09:13:00 PM

Decided to try my hand at putting a leather grip on my new Ambush recurve by Two Tracks (Chuck atually motivated me to do it) This was my first time at attempting anything that had to do with leatherwork, I never knew I had it in me. Thank you Chuck.

Mike Vines · October 21, 2011, 09:15:00 PM

I took the pictures with my iPod. Sorry they are so small. I think I will stick to a regular camera from now on.

Thumper Dunker · October 21, 2011, 09:17:00 PM

Good job.

Red Tailed Hawk · October 21, 2011, 09:21:00 PM

Looks great!!

Green · October 21, 2011, 09:24:00 PM

Looks like you did a pretty nice job Mike. Ready for a little saddle making?...lol.

tracker1 · October 21, 2011, 09:29:00 PM

Looking good Mike, It looks like you have did that before

sticksnstones · October 21, 2011, 10:18:00 PM

What did you use for reference? TG threads, the recent Traditional Bowhunter article, the 3 rivers video on youtube, or something else?

Looks like you got that measurement/cut dead on! Nice one Mike!
Thom

Mike Vines · October 21, 2011, 10:31:00 PM

I used nothing but a few questions to Chuck. It was actually pretty darn simple. I'm almost embarrassed to say that I have paid people to do this for me. I will never do that again.

I'll bring it out to Rob and Jo Ann's tomorrow. We should be there between noon and 1 (ish).

sticksnstones · October 21, 2011, 10:50:00 PM

I can't wait to see it, looks great in the pics! I plan to arrive about the same time so I'll see you there.
Thom

straitera · October 22, 2011, 09:21:00 AM

Pro Mike! Great job!

Want2no · October 22, 2011, 07:36:00 PM

Sharp!

Rick Butler · October 22, 2011, 08:02:00 PM

Mike you do nice work!

2treks · October 24, 2011, 06:17:00 AM

Looking good Mike!!!
I knew you could get it done. Nice job.

LONGSTYKES · October 24, 2011, 09:33:00 AM

Mike, Great job. Looks pretty darn good too me. Very nice.

Mike Vines · October 24, 2011, 09:37:00 AM

I will get some better pics up tonight if I get time. Too many irons in the fire this time of year.

Mike Vines · October 24, 2011, 06:59:00 PM

After soaking the leather in water for about 4 hrs, I wrung out all the water, and wraped it around the grip. I used the orange spring clamps to hold the leather together where I would be doing the lacing. After forming the leather, and being satisfied with how it looked, I set it aside to dry for a week. Probably didn't need that long, but I had a lot going on.

I have a string with a broken arrow hanging from the ceiling that I use to hang the bow to make it easy to work on.

I took off the clamps, used a sharpie to mark where I wanted to cut the grip at, and also my lacing holes where I punched them out with a 4 penny finish nail. I left about a 3/8" gap where the lacing would be at so that when lacing, I could pull it all together.

Using a squeeze clamp, I held the leather in place so that I could free up my hands to lace.

Once lacing down a few holes, I pulled the clamp off, rolled the leather back, and used rubber cement under the grip in strtegic places.

I then rolled the leather back down and continued my lacing (Lacing just sounds much more "Manly" than sewing does).

Finish product from the rear.

Finished product from the front.

To finish up the tag ends of the sinew, I tied a simple square knot at the bottom, then ran the "J" hook needles up 4 or 5 lacing holes, pulled them tight and cut them off. The tension of pulling the tag ends tight before I cut them allowed them to pull back under the grip so as not to have exposed strings dangling in the breeze.

2treks · October 26, 2011, 10:24:00 AM

Come on over Mike, I got a half dozen waiting for ya :D