Snake Skin

[JD 9116]

Hopefully this is not a stupid question but I am going to ask anyways. I am thinking of using snake skins for a glass bow I am preparing to build. Can the skin be laminated under clear glass with smooth on and placed into a hotbox as usual? Is there another process for glass bows which is better for using the skins? Thanks for any advice or opinions.

[red hill]

JD, I'm a novice myself, but I would think the heat could discolor the skin.  Have you thought about the snake print offered by Rudder bows?
Just my thoughts. Like I said I'm just learning.
Good luck,
Stan

[PEARL DRUMS]

Put the skins on the outside of the glass. Ive never tried it, but something tells me the glue/resin will bleed right through and look poopy. Plus, I dont think the glass will stick to the skins at all. You need adhesion with all lam's.

[JD 9116]

That makes a lot of sense especially with the adhesion of the lams. I have not seen the snake print offered by Rudder bows but I will check on it. Thanks

[razorsharptokill]

I read that it will not work due to the skins being the weak link in the glue/glass/wood adhesion.

[razorsharptokill]

I've wondered if a veneer could be lightly laser etched in the pattern of a snake skin and then glued up?

[Dan Landis]

JD, I've never tried it, but I have a magazine article written by Paul Brunner that explains every step needed to apply snake skins to a glass bow.  He recommends sanding the glass then using carpenters glue to apply the skins.  Pretty much the same process as putting them on a wood bow.....Dan

[JD 9116]

Thanks for all the advice, gives me some things to think about!

[fujimo]

yup, all the guys here reccommended TB III , and apply as for wood bows, when i asked how to attach to a glass bow!!
g'luck
wayne

[Savage]

Pearl Drums, is POOPY a word? Hahaha

I wouldn't use a pattern, if I were to have the skin look I would use real skins. Just makes sense to me. Are you wanting to put it under the glass to protect the skins? If so I would think that alot of these longbow guys that use them would be able to tell you what you can spray on top of them. KennyM, Apex Predator and Dmaxshawn do alot of longbows, you might ask one of them. They are some great guys and very helpful.

[JD 9116]

I would prefer to keep it under the glass but I do not want to weaken the lams? I am open to the patterns however, as long as it does not look cheap!

[PEARL DRUMS]

I think if it were possible to keep it under glass guys would be doing it already. I have owned a few bows with skins on the outside and never had any issues with peeling, chipping or anything negative. Several coats of poly or tru oil is quite hard and protects well. I have never seen under the glass patterns either, I doubt it will look good unless your clear glass is flawless. I would suggest doing what the pro's do, TBIII on the outside. If they come apart 15 years from now you can always apply more!

[jsweka]

Definitely don't try to put it under the glass.

Here's a link to a thread in the How-To form that explains it all.

 http://tradgang.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=2;t=000062

[JD 9116]

Hey, thank you for the thread!! I looked at it and it answered my questions. Thanks again guys for all the input!