posted
Do you have any pics of you scraping your superglued finger off the leather? Just kidding! I'm going to have to try this sometime because it looks really cool! Thanks for the tutorial.
~John
Posts: 520 | From: Lansing, MI | Registered: Nov 2004
| IP: Logged |
I sanded with worn out 400 grit paper and would have used 600 if I had some. Then I used some Six-0 steel wool and to get a super fine shine, I dug out a sheet of 2400 grit micromesh polishing cloth I had from my pool playing days. That makes it look like glass! Since most of you won't have anything that fine, just flip your 400 or 600 grit paper over and use the back side or you can even use a dollar bill.
Here is a straight on view. I really like how the layers of leather show a little and look like wood grain. By the way, there is no finish on that at all except the crazy glue. A little car wax on there and it will shine like wet paint.
And a side view.
My objective for this whole project was to of course show my method to round out the back of the handle so it feels better in the hand. But my goals during the process were to get as smooth of a transition as possible from the overlay to the back of the limb and to have the whole overlay be as smooth and even in finish as I could get it. I think I got it right where I wanted because I can't feel the transition with my fingers and I can't find a blemish in the finish.
It's a little tricky to shape an overlay until you think of it just like shaping the other side of the handle. If you can build a bulbous handle in your stave, you can repeat the same process in the overlay and get the nice flowing lines that just melt in the hand and please the eye. It's a simple matter of going from a convex shape to a nearly concave one as you fade into the back of the bow. I'm sure glad Dean Torges has shared his methods for shaping handles... I actually started out doing this leather overlay because he recommended it to round out the handle in his book. But it was my own idea to use super glue and sand it to a fine polish. I showed it to Dean at Mojam and he liked it enough that he said he now uses the super glue himself. I don't know if he does the polish like I do but he uses it to "size" the leather before putting the wrap on the handle.
I actually like this dark leather more than I thought I would. It contrasts nice with the white sapwood. It almost looks like ebony. I might have to try this color again sometime. I wonder how colored leathers like green, red and blue would work????
Well, it's late now and tomorrow is easter. I gotta run and pretend I'm a rabbit if ya know what I mean.
I'll try and do the shelf by Monday but if I don't get to it, ya just use the same process with a different shape. Hope this is helpfull. I didn't mean for it to be so long but I just kept taking pictures and taking pictures....
By the way John, I didn't get my finger stuck to it but I had quite a build up of glue. Had to sand it off with the 100 grit when I was done
-------------------- Dave
I've come to believe that the keys to shooting well for me are good form, trusting the bow to do all the work, and having the confidence in the bow and myself to remain motionless and relaxed at release until the arrow hits the mark. Posts: 3245 | From: Kansas City MO | Registered: Apr 2003
| IP: Logged |
Hey, show the wrapped lace handle too...I thought that was unique look.
-------------------- "Being there was good enough..." Charlie Lamb reflecting on a hunt TGMM Brotherhood of the Bow Posts: 9537 | From: Ranger, GA | Registered: Mar 2003
| IP: Logged |
posted
That is amazing. Thanks for sharing that Dave.
David
-------------------- TGMM Family of The Bow PBS Associate Member
"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." George Orwell Posts: 4306 | From: Somersworth, NH | Registered: May 2003
| IP: Logged |
posted
Man that is great, really like the look and the function. Thanks! Now I will prolly spend this afternoon super gluing myself onto a leather an wood nightmare.
Posts: 247 | From: Florence,.Al | Registered: Apr 2004
| IP: Logged |
Got your pm on your attempt. How did the acetone work out? Can ya post a pic?
-------------------- Dave
I've come to believe that the keys to shooting well for me are good form, trusting the bow to do all the work, and having the confidence in the bow and myself to remain motionless and relaxed at release until the arrow hits the mark. Posts: 3245 | From: Kansas City MO | Registered: Apr 2003
| IP: Logged |
posted
Thanks Dave, nice job, gotta try that soon.
-------------------- "If the women don't find you handsome, they should at least find you handy" Red Green Posts: 7499 | From: Nevada | Registered: Apr 2003
| IP: Logged |
UBBFriend: Email this page to someone!
Printer-friendly view of this topic
![[Smile]](smile.gif)
Have to to try that on my next bow!![[thumbsup]](graemlins/thumbsup.gif)
![[Razz]](tongue.gif)
Just kidding! I'm going to have to try this sometime because it looks really cool! Thanks for the tutorial.
![[Wink]](wink.gif)
![[bigsmyl]](graemlins/bigsmyl2.gif)
![[knothead]](graemlins/knothead.gif)
