Leather for shelf

[TaterHill Archer]

I’ve been using Velcro for my rest on my shelf.  I wear through it pretty fast.  I have some cordovan scrap and was thinking of gluing some to my riser.  It’s a metal riser with a radiused shelf.  First, anyone see any issues with this?  Also, what glue do you recommend for leather to metal.

[Alexander Traditional]

I glued some cordovan on a riser,but it was wood. I used barge cement with good results.

[gnome]

I’ve been using Velcro for my rest on my shelf.  I wear through it pretty fast.  I have some cordovan scrap and was thinking of gluing some to my riser.  It’s a metal riser with a radiused shelf.  First, anyone see any issues with this?  Also, what glue do you recommend for leather to metal.

No issues with gluing.... I use Weldwood contact cement with good results.... I also ditched the velcro shelf for felt pads, they work and last much better.... my new favorite leather for side plates is alligator.... its low friction, and impossible to wear out.

[Bud B.]

Barge.

Clean the metal well. Apply Barge to both surfaces. Not too liberally, but with complete coverage of the two contact surfaces. Allow the glue to dry for a minute or so. Press together. Wrap the leather to the riser afterwards to get good pressure to the application. When set, you can rub the excess glue around the edges away.

[blacktailbob]

I like calf hair...but if you're wearing through them that fast you might try raising your nock height just a tad. Shouldn't affect arrow flight if everything else is tuned good but may cut down on arrow friction across the shelf some.

[McDave]

I have some old belts that seem to have shrunk for some reason or another.  Good leather, different thicknesses.  If you have any belts that you don't use anymore, they are good sources for leather for odds and ends like strike plates or arrow rests.  I have used Barge with success.  I also use double sided carpet tape, which seems a little quicker and less messy than Barge.

[Wheels2]

Furniture pads cut with razor blade on each end.  Works well for strike plate on bows cut far enough past center.
Like these...
https://www.acehardware.com/departments/home-and-decor/cabinet-and-furniture-hardware/protective-furniture-pads/5303128

[BowMIke]

I prefer to use seal skin. It became illegal to import a few years back, but I bought a few pieces when I heard it was going to happen. It makes a really nice shelf material and I leave a narrow gap against the side plate and try to index my feathers to reduce contact at that point.

[mahantango]

If you are wearing out Velcro, check your tuning. I have Velcro on bows for literally thousands of shots. Usually use it on radiused shelves and furniture pads on flat ones.

[Bisch]

If you are wearing out Velcro, check your tuning. I have Velcro on bows for literally thousands of shots. Usually use it on radiused shelves and furniture pads on flat ones.

This was my thought as well^^^^^^^!

Bisch

[TaterHill Archer]

If you are wearing out Velcro, check your tuning. I have Velcro on bows for literally thousands of shots. Usually use it on radiused shelves and furniture pads on flat ones.

That is about all I’ve done for the last 2 weeks and off and on for the last month.  I bought a test kit.  I used some arrows I already had.  I’ve moved my nock point up and down.  I’ve played with the brace height.  I don’t think I can do it any better.  Not that it can’t be better, but I can’t get it any better. 

[TaterHill Archer]

If you are wearing out Velcro, check your tuning. I have Velcro on bows for literally thousands of shots. Usually use it on radiused shelves and furniture pads on flat ones.

This was my thought as well^^^^^^^!

Bisch

I think it may be a function of the shape of the shelf on the VPA riser.  It has a somewhat sharp peak on the shelf that acts as the radiusing on the shelf.  the Velcro on my Black Widow has lasted much longer and same for the sky archery riser.  I’m shooting about 50-70 shots a day with this bow and 10-15 with my Black Widow.

[NY Yankee]

I just purchased a replacement shelf and plate from Bob Lee for my bow. It came with a calf hair plate and a piece of smooth, stiff leather for a rest. I like it. Very little wear. It should last a long time.

My point being, the smooth leather sounds like a good idea to me.