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Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: silent sniper on February 12, 2014, 02:04:00 PM

Title: beaver tail grip advice
Post by: silent sniper on February 12, 2014, 02:04:00 PM
Hey guys I am just about to put a beaver tail grip on my caribow wolverine. I was looking for any advice before I plunge in. Ive got a tanned beaver tail coming in from Big Jim as we speak.

 Ive read about soaking the tail in water than wrapping it around the grip and letting it dry before gluing it with barge cement and lacing it up. I ask anyone to add any last minute advice before I start cutting and gluing. Thank you very much, SS.
Title: Re: beaver tail grip advice
Post by: Biathlonman on February 12, 2014, 02:20:00 PM
I followed Jim's advice in another thread. After getting it all stretched in place I wrap with an ace bandage and leave overnight to try.  Cut a little at a time it's real easy to trim to much.  I use a thumb tack to punch holes for stitching.  Tie gently as it's real easy to tear the "thread" through.
Title: Re: beaver tail grip advice
Post by: Fritz on February 12, 2014, 02:35:00 PM
It doesn't shrink much so trim with that in mind and it does tear easily. Brad's advice is spot on.
Title: Re: beaver tail grip advice
Post by: Caughtandhobble on February 12, 2014, 02:51:00 PM
Oh, and it tears really easy... OK, this may have been mentioned. Do not force it, it tears easy.

Once you put one on a bow, you will have them on all of your bows  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: beaver tail grip advice
Post by: damascusdave on February 12, 2014, 06:00:00 PM
What an interesting world we live in...you are putting a beavertail you bought from Big Jim on one of Abe Penner's bows...Jim gets his beavertails from Abe

DDave
Title: Re: beaver tail grip advice
Post by: wooddamon1 on February 12, 2014, 06:41:00 PM
I would call Abe, he does a very nice job!
Title: Re: beaver tail grip advice
Post by: Maxx Black on February 12, 2014, 06:47:00 PM
I just got my Silver Fox riser back from Abe with a beavertail grip install, beautiful job. I tried the install myself and had all the problems listed in previous posts . Take your time. Don't get aggressive ,tares easy. Best of luck , Ken
Title: Re: beaver tail grip advice
Post by: BigJim on February 12, 2014, 09:19:00 PM
They don't tear that easy, but they certainly can tear. Mistake number one, cutting too much off between seam where tail meets on back of riser. Mistake number two, trying to stretch the tail to close the gap because you cut off too much.


I trim off a short section of the butt of the tail. This is where it is the thickest and doesn't form well. I wrap the tail around the bow and allow enough overlap to have plenty to work with.

Wrap bow grip with plastic wrap to protect bow from any possible dye seepage into wood. Wet tail, stretch over grip overlapping at back of riser and wrap tightly in place with ace type bandage. Allow to dry.

When mostly or completely dry, remove everything and spread barge cement on tail and grip (thinned is best for penetration). Leave glue to dry for half an hour  or day or whatever. then spread second layer on tail. If it no longer seeps in, but instead leaves a nice layer of glue on top, put a second light coat on bow.  Let dry for about 5 minutes...drink a bear to calm your nerves or whatever.
I always lay the tail down across the belly side and work it down tight into saddle of grip and then stretching and forming down one side all the way to the back. Then do the other side.

I use a white grease pen and a ruler and heavily trace a line down the middle of the grip where the seem will be. I cut there with a scissors carefully leaving some of the white ling on the grip. Now fold the rest of the tail over the white line and rub across with back end of scissors. The while line should be transposed on to the under side of flap of grip. cut carefully along line. There are lots of ways of doing this, but i found this to be the easiest.

I now mark the shape of the trip along top edge of grip and then on bottom. I will use white grease pen or blue ball point...they will both rub clean.

Now cut vary carefully along tracing and pull tail up into the razor blade to keep from scratching bow.

using a ruler, mark lined across the seam of grip at 1/4" intervals and then punch holes using an awl or tack as mentioned before. Re glue under laces and allow to dry. Sew but don't pull too hard and your done.

Use a piece of rubber like you would an eraser to remove excess glue.

There are lots of ways of doing this, but this is what has worked for me at least a thousand times.

good luck, BigJim
Title: Re: beaver tail grip advice
Post by: silent sniper on February 12, 2014, 10:34:00 PM
Thanks everyone for the advice! I will be sure to post a picture of it when I am finished. SS
Title: Re: beaver tail grip advice
Post by: Pheonixarcher on February 13, 2014, 03:17:00 AM
BigJim, a build a long, or video would be great!
Title: Re: beaver tail grip advice
Post by: PowDuck on February 13, 2014, 08:05:00 AM
Quote
Originally posted by Pheonixarcher:
BigJim, a build a long, or video would be great!
X2
Title: Re: beaver tail grip advice
Post by: Paul_R on February 13, 2014, 08:30:00 AM
Great post Jim thank you!