Plumber's Hemp As Bow Backing (Experiment)

[@dileb112]

I had success with plumber's hemp gluing it with a sanitary silicone. But the bow was quite heavy because of the silicone. Hemp backed ash, 42.1" ntn, bend through the handle, 35 lb at 22" (22" max tested draw). Around 120 yards at flight with 340-350 grains arrow

[@Helmbowman]

That is interesting, thanks for sharing!

[@EB-rn3qb]

Hemp can work as a backing. I backed a few bows with it ,using ordinaire white woodglue. The result is a higher lb and a ferm backing.

[@Helmbowman]

Thats good to know, i will try with wood glue, thanks!

[@EB-rn3qb]

@@Helmbowman here is what I did. Soak the hemp in water. Like sinew. Squeeze out the excess water and lay it flat on a board. Comb the hemp ,like sinew, and then soak it with woodglue. Run of excess glue and put the hemp on the back of the bow. Same like sinew. Let dry for a few days. Hope it helps.

[@Helmbowman]

Basically like sinew backing, thanks a lot for advise, i will try your way!

[@Hain72]

​@@HelmbowmanNicht mit Holzleim, nehmen sie fischleim und hasenleim zu gleichen Teilen. Das in einem Wasserbad auf 65 Grad erhitzen und dann damit das hanf auf Leimen. Eben wie bei einem Komposit Bogen.

[@gussie88bunny]

Thanks for posting this video, things not working out is useful to see too. You had a lot of epoxy in that puffy fibre backing, it drank it up! Like you suggest, maybe squeezing out the excess would help, perhaps using pressure from plastic cling film wrap?

[@Helmbowman]

@@gussie88bunny yes, i think that I’ve used too much epoxy, plastic film wrap is good idea, i will try that for sure! Thanks!

[@jarchdm]

You are prolific. I'm still working on my testing jig. Making progress but had to cut it apart because errors. Getting close to finishing.

[@Helmbowman]

Thanks! Just be patient, it never goes according to plan…Good luck!

[@jarchdm]

Thanks, I'm getting there albeit slowly

[@JasonHurricane]

I was thinking about this the other day at the hardware store Great job!

[@Helmbowman]

Thanks a lot! I think it can be good!

[@ФиточайНик]

Я пробовал клеить Лён, у меня не ломался лук, тилер плохой значит... Так же клеил в ряд льняную верёвку, тоже хорошо держит 😊

[@Helmbowman]

Nice! Thanks for comment!

[@jetonbehluli01]

Do you plan to come back to this experiment in another angle? idk why but i think it has potential... great vid as always!

[@Helmbowman]

Thanks friend! It definitely has potential, i will try it again for sure when i get some time

[@jetonbehluli01]

@@Helmbowman is there a way i could contact you privately, i really need ur help with a project of mine

[@adrienmarnat4019]

Hi Helm! Thanks for the content you provide it is very educational and helpful! Just to ask how do you obtain the diferences of texture in the epoxy? Are they 2 different products? Also your work have inspired me on building my Own bows. Can i ask you some tips and advise on my projects ? Anyway, thank you my friend!

[@Helmbowman]

Hi, thanks for watching, im glad you find my content helpful! Epoxy goes well with lot of materials, some people even use epoxy with sinew, but I’ve never tried that… Feel free to ask anything friend, i will try to help

[@adrienmarnat4019]

Ok, i want to make a short turkish bow (100cm nock to nock) using a pièce of FR4 fiberglass epoxy matrice. (Length:100cm; thickness:5mm; width: 3cm) I want to bend the FR4 and then, put 2 layers of carbon cloth and 2 layers of fiberglass cloth, and glue them with epoxy glue to thebac of the bow. Wood handle and wood siyahs. It is good to add more material to the FR4? And is the epoxy glue the good choice for thé lammination? Some advise on this all project?

[@Helmbowman]

@@adrienmarnat4019 Sounds good, how you will bend fiberglass? Epoxy is glue of choice for that, what poundage of bow you aim?

[@adrienmarnat4019]

@@Helmbowman i want to reach at least 70 pounds at 28 inches. Do you think that i need more or less material?

[@Helmbowman]

@adrienmarnat4019 i think 5mm plus carbon cloth will be okay for 70 lbs, you can always add more carbon if the draw weight is low, but it should be good

[@jarchdm]

That hemp looked difficult to work with

[@Helmbowman]

Its weird, does not wet as easy as fiberglass or sinew, but i think it can be done with some changes

[@misiorro5196]

Another way to backing a bow… not the best as you prove. Thanks for this experiment.

[@Helmbowman]

Thanks a lot!

[@halissonukan4885]

Talvez você possa fazer fibras de bambu para esse seu projeto e usar outro tipo de cola Tek Bond 3 e depois enrolar um outro tipo de fibra principalmente nas juntas de seu arco

[@Helmbowman]

That is good idea, i will try that, thanks for watching friend!

[@Arwndr]

That was bad tillering... Hamp is just ok. You could use fiberglass roving instead. In 3-5 layers. Than even with bad tiller it had survive.

[@Hain72]

Du solltest richtige Kuh Sehnen nehmen. Von Rücken der Rinder, nicht die Nacken Sehnen, wennndie trocken sind und du möchtest dieser bearbeiten mit einem Hammer, zerspringen die wie Glas.

[@Helmbowman]

Yeah, sinew would be best option, this was just an experiment with hemp fibers

[@jarchdm]

Oops exploding bow😮

[@Helmbowman]

Bows always find a way to shock me 😂

[@jarchdm]

@@Helmbowman 😁😆😜