Burlap for backing?

[bckskin2]

Hobby Lobby sells burlap "ribbon", is it OK for backing? I have seen empty coffee bean sacks at Big R, but they did not have any last time I was there. Any other suggestions for a source? I had thought of dry wall tape, but burlap was suggested as better for a first attempt.
Thanks

[fujimo]

brown paper bag, linen, silk....
make sure its not heavy burlap sack- will suck up a lot of glue- add a lot of weight- all you are trying to do is stop a splinter from lifting.
an old silk tie or silk scarf from one of your charity stores will work well- we have the salvation army stores up here- i buy up all the silk ties and scarves they have!!

[George Tsoukalas]

Yes, I've used it but be careful that it is not the fake stuff. Real burlap is jute. Jawge
 http://georgeandjoni.home.comcast.net/~georgeandjoni/burlap.html

[bckskin2]

Originally posted by George Tsoukalas:
Yes, I've used it but be careful that it is not the fake stuff. Real burlap is jute. Jawge
  http://georgeandjoni.home.comcast.net/~georgeandjoni/burlap.html  

Thanks, Jawge, does it need to be washed first?
Jerry

[inksoup]

i have used burlap on backing before... gives satisfying results.

if you apply with hide glue more effective but you can use other glues as well like epoxy etc.

best.

[PEARL DRUMS]

Rawhide, rawhide, rawhide. Its cheap, its easy and its highly effective. Plus its primitive and looks much better.

[George Tsoukalas]

No, it does not need to be washed. Jawge

[George Tsoukalas]

Again, just look for the real stuff. Jawge

[bckskin2]

The local green house gave me 3 empty bags. I assume is real. They badly need washed.

[George Tsoukalas]

It won't hurt to wash it. The burlap I bought was used as a tree and plant wrap. Jawge

[Archer Dave]

I used drywall paper tape on my last pyramid bow. Still need to finish tillering it, but it has been so dry I am afraid it will explode. We will see how the drywall tape works.

[Wolftrail]

We don;t all use primi stuff on here.  I'm trying FG for backing,  Linen only added about 5# and that was 4 layers.  Silk is useless, brown paper bag the same.  Never tried Rawhide or sinew but from what I know and read over the last few years that would be my bet.

[John Scifres]

Why are you backing?

Salvaging a less than optimal stave/board?

Insurance?

Practice?

Backings either do work, as in sinew or wood...

...or they protect from lifting a splinter, as in fabrics, rawhide...

...or they look pretty, as in snakeskin feathers, cherry bark.

Some have dual purposes.  As in pretty sturgeon skins.

[bckskin2]

Originally posted by John Scifres:
[QB] Why are you backing?

Salvaging a less than optimal stave/board?

Insurance?

Practice?


John,Yes the best board I could find was less than perfect, I want insurance against splinters, and I want the practice. I would like to someday do a raw hide/deer hide glued with hide glue.
Jerry

[John Scifres]

Just about any fabric will work.  If it is synthetic, you'll probably be best served with epoxy.  If natural, Titebond II or III.  Personally, I would find a piece of silk.  Light and easy.  Burlap soaks up the glue and then weighs your limbs down.

Here's a cool tutorial on gluing rawhide:   http://www.stickbow.com/FEATURES/SELFBOWS/gluing_backing.CFM