Snakeskin backing

[Medic85]

Hey guys after seeing some of the bows on here, I was wanting to put some snakeskins on the back of my Mamba.  What is the best way to go about doing that.  I also read somewhere that tanned snakehide is not preferred for backing.  Should they just be salted and dried.  Any help is greatly appreciated.

[Buck Buckley]

SCRAP IT WWWITH A SPOON TILL YOU GET ALL THHE FAT OFF  THEN TACK IT TO A BORAD LET IT DRY  FLESH UP  DO NOT PUT SALT ON IT LET IT AIR DRY

[Trapper Rob]

I do the same as Buck Buckley then when I'm ready to use I it put it in water to soften then I use ttb2 to glue it on.
Rob

[Eric Krewson]

Just dry, no salt or borax.

 

[Medic85]

Thanks guys I appreciate it.  I'm guessing that ttb2 is the Titebond wood glue?

[PEARL DRUMS]

Any white glue will work, even Elmers. I prefer Titebond III because it sticks faster so the skins cant slide or move much, and because its waterproof.

[outdoorsmanchad123]

I used titebond lll very first try came out flawless with air dried skin

[Roy from Pa]

I have a Rattle Snake skin I want to put on my next Osage Self Bow. How much excess do you leave hanging off the side of the limbs if any, and how do you trim it off, with a razor blade? And how do you keep the glue from running down over the side and how do you keep from digging into the side of the limb with the razor blade? Or do you trim it off after the glue sets up a bit and then wrap it tight? Rookie snake skinner here:)

[Eric Krewson]

I tape up all the bow except the back with blue painters tape to limit glue clean up.

I trim the excess skin about 1/8" away from the limb with a sharp box cutter about 10 minutes after I put the skin on. I spend the first 10 minutes centering the skin and working excess glue out to the sides with my thumbs.

Wrapping a skin is a waste of time. Spend 10 minutes pressing on the skin while you force the excess glue out and your skin will be tightly glued to the limb, no wrap necessary.

Here is a better explanation, leave out the super glue step.

 http://tradgang.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=045038

[Roy from Pa]

Thanks Eric, great how to thread. I have it saved.. Roy