SINEW backing glue question

[NorthShoreLB]

I'm just about ready to make my first sinew backed bow,...but I'm getting mixed reports on the glues.

...so I guess I have to research a bit more        of good results, but all of a sudden I'm getting negative reports.


thanks a lot for any help

[Buemaker]

I have always used hide glue. Get your senew bundles lined up, let them soak a couple of minutes in luke warm water. Lay them out on a towel and then dip them in the warm glue and squeeze out some of the glue with your fingers before laying them on the bow. Soaking them in water gives a smooter result and I also think it pulls the bow into a larger reflex. Some people say hide glue is a mess to work with, but I do not think so. Have a bucket of water and a towel to wash your hands when they get too sticky.
Bue--.

[Bob Barnes]

what Bue said...and you can get unflavored Nox or Knox? gelatin at most grocery stores, which is cheap and high grade hide glue...
Bob

[arrowslinger22]

I think I've been hearing the same reports.  The only negative as I read it was that you don't get the benefit of the bow being pulled in reflex, unless you clamp it,  and the draw weight gain.  I've only sinewed one bow and I used Knox gelatin for hide glue.  It did it more or less because I had the sinew prepped and I was bored. It is a short (54") and narrow piece of hedge. It was 35# @ 28", we'll see if anything changes when it dries.  I am worried about shooting it in wet weather and this Minnesota.  If I lived in your climate, I'd do the TBIII for sure.

[NorthShoreLB]

That was My thought to arrowslinger,

The pulling into reflex is not an issue for this bow since I'll temper/reflex it, plus recurve the tips just previous to senewing, to about 2 1/2- 3" in front of the handle,...don't need to be pulled into more reflex than that      

[the Ferret]

Manny be careful with highly reflexed/static or recurve bows and sinew. The straightest line between two points is the tip and the limb and that's the way the sinew will shrink pulling itself, or lifting,  out of the curve.

I've only used hide glue. The glue shrinks as well as the sinew. With tite bond there is no shrinkage so the glue isn't doing any work, but it will certainly hold the sinew to the bow, and make the back strong.

[NorthShoreLB]

Yeah Mickey, that was my line of thought, reflexing the bow if using TB III, and not if using  HIDE/KNOX glues

Thanks

[kctreeman]

I've used knox also.  It works great.  Careful with the temperture when heating the glue.  Too hot will cook the sinew.

Micky, do you think that it is too late to sinew a bow to tiller during MOJAM?  I have the sinew ready to go.  I want to have a few projects to work on while we sit around.

[the Ferret]

Yes it needs several weeks to set up and cure, preferably about 6 weeks. Sinew is like a peanut butter and jelly sandwich left out on the counter. The bread may feel dried out, but the peanut butter and jelly inside will still be gooey.

Why don't you sinew it at Mojam. Guarantee that would draw a crowd.

[kctreeman]

I've got the stave, sinew and glue.  I might as well give it a try.   Should be plenty of folks around to give advice.  How close to final tiller should I get this stave?

[the Ferret]

John I like to get them to about 20"-24" of good tiller.