Author Topic: Paper over drywall tape for backing?  (Read 296 times)

Offline Hawkeye 1461

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Paper over drywall tape for backing?
« on: April 15, 2014, 06:03:00 PM »
I broke my leg so i have some down time. I've watched all the reality tv i can handle, so while searching the web i found the perfect answer. 4est Trekker's red oak board BA. I have glued and rough shaped my bow. During my hours of cutting, filing, sanding, and scraping, I have fallen in love with this piece of wood and all of its flaws. Because of its flaws i decided back the limbs. (Here is where you see my flaws.) First, i decided to back the limbs with a canvas type material. I used TBII and some material a salvaged from a curtain blind. I coated the limb with glue, applied the material, then put another thin coat on the material and left it to dry. As i was cleaning up the scraps i found the tag from the material 40/60 cotton/polyester blend. I looked online to see if it would be ok but found mixed opinions on the topic. So i went to bed but i couldn't stop thinking about the consequences of a bad decision (broken bow=broken heart). I climb out of bed, crutches and all, go down stairs to the garage and remove the still wet material. Second attempt, the glue was still wet so i cut some strips of paper bag, because i didn't have long enough paper to do it one piece and placed them on the limbs. I grabbed my bottle of TBII to apply a light coat on top of the paper but only had enough glue to coat one side. As i stood there in disbelief, i had to laugh its 2am and i would have accomplished more if i had gone to bed at 9pm. Ultimately, i scrapped off the still wet paper and glue from the limbs. Now my plan is to use one coat of heavy duty drywall tape and TBII for the first coat and do one coat of paper on top. I like the way paper looks better than the drywall tape. Is it a bad idea to mix backing materials? Also, can i use TBIII after the limbs have already soaked up some TBII glue that has dried?

Offline George Tsoukalas

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Re: Paper over drywall tape for backing?
« Reply #1 on: April 15, 2014, 06:32:00 PM »
Not a good plan to get attached like that LOL.
I never used drywall tape so I can't help you much. I don't see why you can't put paper ever the tape.
Jawge

Offline John Scifres

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Re: Paper over drywall tape for backing?
« Reply #2 on: April 15, 2014, 06:35:00 PM »
Sounds like you are having fun so you already win.

First bit of advice, don't fall in love with a bow until you have a few hundred arrows through it  :)   That's kinda like this one: Don't let your wife name a puppy you don't want to take home from the pet store and live with for the next 14 years!

You will likely have a bit better chance with 2 layers but adding mass will make the bow less efficient.  How bad is the grain on the board?  Nothing can save it if it is too bad.  Wood selection is the most important thing with wooden bows.  And some boards...many boards, are not suitable for a bow.
Take a kid hunting!

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Offline Hawkeye 1461

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Re: Paper over drywall tape for backing?
« Reply #3 on: April 15, 2014, 09:32:00 PM »
George-when you spend that much time caressing something, you cant help but develop feelings for it. Lol.

Offline Hawkeye 1461

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Re: Paper over drywall tape for backing?
« Reply #4 on: April 15, 2014, 09:38:00 PM »
John-Grain doesn't look that bad. Im just looking for some insurance. That being said, i will be more selective on the next one. This one is like my fist love. I guess I'm being over protective. Thanks for the advise.

Offline Pat B

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Re: Paper over drywall tape for backing?
« Reply #5 on: April 15, 2014, 11:57:00 PM »
You only need one backing. Either one or the other. Adding an extra backing is only adding extra physical weight which detracts from how your bow will perform.
Make the most of all that comes and the least of all that goes!
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Offline George Tsoukalas

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Re: Paper over drywall tape for backing?
« Reply #6 on: April 16, 2014, 02:42:00 PM »
Oh I know. Been there. :)Jawge

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