backing question

[Whitehawk23]

Ok so as most of you know I'm on my 3rd try for a red oak board bow. I've decided to back this one. well where I live I don't exactly have resources to leather or hide or anything else with the exception of drywall tape. so here's my question do you HAVE to use linen or silk? Because I just picked up a piece of some kind of cloth from Wal-Mart and I wanna make sure its gonna do the job. thanks

[Roy from Pa]

It should work, as some guys have backed bows with brown paper bags. Silk is a good strong backing. Now I'm gonna dumb it down for ya, Justin:) Steal a pair of your honeys silk undies and cut them into long strips. Just be sure to dye the silk so she doesn't recognize them:) Or your third bow will get broken over your head. LOL

[Whitehawk23]

Lol that is excellent advice Roy haha thanks for dumbing it down for me lol

[Pat B]

Any cloth will work as a backing but you have to consider the added physical weight that will slow down your limbs. Cotton for example is usually thicker and more absorbant. Itv would protect the bows back but would slow the limbs recovery down compared to silk or linen(or brown grocery bag paper). Any thrift shop has silk or linen blouses, slacks and silk neck ties. The ties are usually a dollar or 2 each. You can get built in camo with any design or pattern on the garmet or tie.

[Whitehawk23]

Ok ill look into that pat thank you. the bow is about finished ill post pics tomorrow just waiting on the urethane to dry

[inksoup]

why don't you use fiber glass and polyester resin? i have tried this recently and worked very well as baking and also if you (like i did) apply it on both sides (back and belly) will add extra power to your bow...

i have applied on both sides as two layers each, it nearly doubled the power.

i will post the picts soon.

best.

[Whitehawk23]

I actually thought about that but figured the fiberglass would over power the redoak board

[George Tsoukalas]

Beginners should back their first few. I've had success with burlap and silk. Burlap can be found in garden sores. Make sure it is jute. Silk dresses can be found in 2nd hand stores. Still make sure the grain of the stave is straight tip to tip. Much more on my site. Jawge
 http://georgeandjoni.home.comcast.net/~georgeandjoni/index.html

[George Tsoukalas]

Make sure the bow has no knots. None. No matter how small. Grain, grain, grain! Jawge

[Whitehawk23]

Thanks George. Well I've finished my bow and shot it probably 75-100 times and so far so good it works amazing. the only issue I'm having is trying to find a wedge to put in the floppy rest toothpicks keep breaking and it just doesn't feel right

[Pat B]

I've never used a wedge or tooth pick with a floppy rest. I just glue it right to the handle.