Kids board bow

[Harperclan7]

Monterey,
     Nice looking kids bows I will have to try that out for my kids thanks again for the insight.

[Pac'em out]

Originally posted by monterey:
 Arrows are light weight 1/4 inch shafts and they fly nicely.  

Monterey, are you using 1/4 inch dowels for arrows, or actual shaft material?  Thanks.

[timbuckII]

What is the purpose of the paper backing?

TBKII

[Pac'em out]

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but the paper backing is to keep the back of the bow from splintering.

[macbow]

Like you said it's for some insurance in case there are some run outs in the grain.

I haven't used the paper bags yet but plan to. I've used flax fibre, not woth the effort, also used camo cloth looks good.
For a super backing on the tougher bows for slightly older kids I've used fibre glass cloth from NAPA and TB111. Haven't had one of those break yet.
Ron

[macbow]

Like monterey said I like to leave them full width past the fades.
On the slightly heavier bows, 3/8"' I sometimes put a 1/8 layer over the back slightly longer than the fades sorta like a power lam.
Ron

[monterey]

On shaft size, I must correct myself, they are 5/16th shafts.  Memory is slipping.  I get them from a local shop along with some 3" feathers and 5/16th nocks.  They are actually pretty good quality arrows which I think is important to get kids started right.

The backing is indeed to protect the back of the bow from splintering, etc.  It's too fast, cheap and easy to do not to do it IMO.

I have tried a few other backings, inlcuding body repair fiberglass mat, cotton duck and rawhide.  They all work great but when it comes to expense, ease of application and longevity, the paper bag wins for me.  Appeals to my chea...  er, frugal side.

[Pac'em out]

Originally posted by 4est trekker:
I've backed quite a few bows with paper.  I make sure it's well saturated with TBII for one, which is "waterproof."  Then, I apply a wax finish that really protects the bow well from the elements.

4est, what type of wax finish do you use?

[red hill]

Very nice kid bows, Monterey.  I think I'll try to make a few of those for the kids in my PE classes.

[Pac'em out]

I'm in the process of making one of these for my daughter.  I'll post some pics as soon as I'm done.  Still have to cut the nocks, shape the riser, sand, back with paper, and build a string.  This is my first bow ever and it has been a lot of fun so far.

Tim

[Bow-cephus]

If I'm not mistaken tb3 is waterproof? Also for added protection just finish the bow and lay a coat over your backing!

[monterey]

tb3 is supposed to be waterproof.  Dunno for myself cause I never tested it.  As a topcoat, it may not be too pretty.  It does not dry clear.

I only put the glue on the bow back and the glue up side of the backing material.  Final coat on mine has been a clear polyurethane.  And that only cause I had a can of it on the shelf.  The string windings are saturated with it and seem to be holding up pretty good.

Glad to see people making bows for kids!!

[ishi1archer]

How important is it to have perfect grain when you back with paper?

[monterey]

It's hard to find "perfect" grain.  I look for as close as possible to flat sawn or 90 deg edge grain.  It's not so much a backing issue as it is a bending issue.  IOW, the more consistent the grain over the length, the less likely that the limbs will twist when drawn.

Hope I made that understandable.

[Pac'em out]

Hey ya'll,
Do you know any tricks to getting the brown paper backing to lay smooth?  I just laid some down on my daughter's bow and it wrinkled up all over the place.  I think partly due to the limbs bending while I was putting it on.  Thanks in advance.

[b.glass]

Well, I lay mine flat on a table and try not to get to much glue on. Then I try to smooth it towards the tips and edges before it sets up too much getting excess glue and bubbles out.

[Pac'em out]

Yeah, I think I put way to much glue on.  Thanks, B.

[b.glass]

You're welcome!

[David Holt]

I got the brown paper rolls from Walmart.  It was 6 or 7 dollars and I don't know if Ill ever run out.

[ishi1archer]

I just made one for my 5yr. old nephew. I wanted to dress up the back, so I went on line and found some pictures of Rattlesnake skin and printed them out. I printed them in two sizes and glued them down with spray glue. They came out pretty good.