Sinew lifted

[razorsharptokill]

This bow has been chugging along for years, sinew backed Osage. While I was shooting it today I heard a tick at the shot and the arrow went way off target. Felt weird. I looked the bow over and noticed the tiller was off on the lower limb now and there is a separation of the sinew from the back. Here are some pics. Could I get some glue down in there and clamp it?

[KenH]

Probably best to remove it completely, clean up the surfaces and re-glue it.

[Pat B]

I agree with Ken. I had this happen a few years back. I used TBIII to reglue it and that held well but the bow was never the same. By redoing the sinew you can have your old friend back.   

[razorsharptokill]

This bow is also snake skin backed. What would be the best way to remove it all?

[Pat B]

That will depend on the glue used. With hide glue soaking will probably allow you to remove the snake skin but that isn't a given. With TB glue, no.
 When I finally removed the sinew from the bow I was talking about, also snake skin backed I was able to peel the combo off in one "'sheet without taking any wood with it. I then soaked the sinew/skin "sheet" to dissolve the hide glue so the wood itself didn't absorb any moisture.

[razorsharptokill]

Pretty sure it was TB.

[Pat B]

You may be able to gingerly lift(work) the old sinew/skin off but you won't be able to reuse them. 

[KenH]

If you used TB, then use a heat gun to warm things up before you try lifting it.  Start lifting at the tip end and work your way down to the handle.  And repeat...

[razorsharptokill]

Removed it all. I will start fresh and hopefully kill an antelope with it next year in Wyoming.

[KenH]

Those of us who build the occasional (every few years) wood-horn-sinew composite bow in one of the Asian traditional styles never use anything for glue other than an a mixture of Hide and Fish Glue.  The Fish Bladder glue combined with hide glue has a much longer working time than plain hide glue.  Drying time is measured in months, not days or weeks.