Kids board bow

[Pac'em out]

The snake print looks pretty cool.  I'd be careful with that area where you cut the arrow shelf.  Might be a weak spot.  I think you usually want keep the limb at it's full width once your down to your minimum thickness past the fades, towards the nocks.  But, I'm a newbie, so I'll wait to here from others more experienced than me.  Looks cool though!

[walkabout]

yep usually the fade should go past the full thickness of the limb. it might try to pop the fade off there, it might not. usually i aim for fades equal to my handle length then make sure they extend into the first part of the limb taper. you dont need it to extend much, just enough to let it accept equally the stress of the bend. looks good though, that was a great idea prinitng the skin patterns. ive had paper wrinkle too and just sanded it down smooth and then put a good layer over it, just watch you dont get it too thick and overpower the belly wood.also when i glue paper backing i only glue like 5 inches at a time laying it down straight and without stretching it once its wet with glue.

[monterey]

Man, I love that snakeskin!!  Really innovative way to do it too.

I start my limb tapers about 1/4" past the end of the handle fades.  Might be better if it were more but no problems yet.  Will probably go to a 1/2" on the next one.

[walkabout]

sure beats paying 58$ a pair for skins dont it,lolnone of the prep involved or the descaling either.i havent tried it yet but a small paint roller might be handy for smoothing out paper backings.i know they work well to size the bow with tbIII in a hurry.

[ishi1archer]

Just thought I would show how I did the skins on a second kids bow I made.
 
 
 
 
 
 
After they are all down and trimmed I rubbed them down to make sure of a good bond. Then I put 4 coats of finish over them. Scott

[b.glass]

I wondered if that wasn't how you did that! I'm going to try it. Thanks for telling us about that.

[walkabout]

great method, very ingenius.just curious if you backed them with anything else before adding the faux skins.

[walkabout]

im probably gonna try that on one too eventually. they look really good

[ishi1archer]

Thanks guys yes I first backed the bow with brown paper Scott

[walkabout]

if i can coax my next stave to bend without snapping im gonna use your idea, itll be a short draw red oak "D" board bow, bend through the handle. lol i keep looking back at the pics and cant believe i never thought of this way of getting the skin look. kudos man for the great idea.