I started a refinish on a Drake Firedrake today and after removing the velcro strike plate, here is what I found. It seems that someone/Drake inlaid a a strike plate of wood.

Anyone ever see this before?

I started a refinish on a Drake Firedrake today and after removing the velcro strike plate, here is what I found. It seems that someone/Drake inlaid a a strike plate of wood.

Anyone ever see this before?

I started a refinish on a Drake Firedrake today and after removing the velcro strike plate, here is what I found. It seems that someone/Drake inlaid a a strike plate of wood.

Anyone ever see this before?

I have a 1961 Wing Presentation Outlaw that someone inlaid a strip of rosewood where a Bear site window sight would go on a Tamerlane or Super K.

Maybe there was some sort of Berger button/side plate that didn't go all the way through...?

Hope u show us the rest of the refinish!

J

Never on a Drake or any other from that time frame that I recall. I've seen similar things on bows that predate that one.

Yeah, I have seen it before. Right before you got it.

Here's a couple pics for Jason.

OOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!! :-D

Love that roswood ibeam and the accent on the back of riser!

Make sure you fill in those wood grain pours!

What are you finishing it with Jim? Also, what vintage? maybe a 1961 or 62...?

I wonder how the rosewood crescent compares in Magical Power to the birdseye maple crescent...?

J.

Jason,

I think you are right on with the vintage, '61-'62. I'm using the Defthand Gloss and so far I'm not too impressed. It has a ridiculously long dry time and sprays on very blotchy. I might rub this down and do one more coat, since it's an exterior finish and switch over to wipe- on poly to complete it.

I used Defthane ONCE. ONCE. Never again! May not be the same stuff but, like you described, it DAYS for it to cure and it never got very hard. And it yellowed AND I can scrape it off with my thumbnail!

I REALLY like Birchwood Casey Gunstock Finish (a true oil). After a few days it gets hard enough to take a polish. Here's a Colt Huntsman Hi-Power I did a few years ago with it. Spray can goes on very smooth and drips sand out very easy. Fairly durable and only $11 a can on Amazon or ebay. Also has a wood pore sealer/filler that's great.

Jason,

I too like Tru-Oil, however, it is not sold any longer in CA.

I was looking for an exterior finish when I got the Deft product. I will probably do a light sanding and complete the job with wipe- on poly.

Jim, I know a guy in Seattle that can get you some Tru-oil and send it to you of you'd like some. You get only this one hint. Great looking bows. Lance.

Jim,

I get mine from Amazon or ebay. Won't they deliver it to you in CA...? It's probably less toxic than many finishes (least I hope so!).

Also, a respectable bow refinisher has suggested Spraymax 2K clear coat but I haven't tried it yet. Fumes are pretty toxic and it only lasts for 48 hrs once activated (2 part in a spray can) but you can recoat every 15 minutes so it's not a day's long process to finish coat a bow. TOXIC with cyanide so USE A RESPIRATOR! That's the biggest thing stopping me right now... About $25 bucks a can. Here's a copy and paste from their website:

2 component clear coat with very high chemical, petrol and weather resistance for high-quality and long lasting sealing of repairs and new paint jobs on vehicles and motorcycles.

Advantages

Greatest abrasion and scratch resistance Very smooth flowing Permanent high gloss Very good buffability No colour tone deviation Excellent paint condition Also suitable at higher ambient temperatures

I finally got some decent pictures after the completed project.

Wow... Nice job Jim! That turned out really nice!

Jonathan

Dang Jim, You just might have found a new vocation for your retirement years! Great job from what I can see. Lance.

very fine craftsmanship showing in that one. Nice job.

Jason, I'm pretty sure the Authority would attribute a much higher level of Magical Power to the birdseye maple...but you knew that! ;-)

That is a very nice job you did on that bow. Looks like your hard work paid off. In response to the shipping of True Oil to Ca., I tried ordering it about 5 years ago from Birchwood Casey direct. At first my order was accepted, then I got email cancelling it. They can not ship to CA. per the CA. EPA rules. I finally got mine from a woodworks supply company back East. I can get it here in AZ and have bootlegged some back to CA. for a bamboo flyrod maker I know. Jim, now that Rich Lopez is not taking bows for refinishing anymore maybe you could pick that up as a sideline?

Looks real nice,so what did you end up using for your finish? JF

Jeff, I hand rubbed Minwax wipe-on poly, like shoe polish, on the rosewood portions to seal it. I then used Minwax gloss spray poly - wet sanding in between coats.

Great Job on the bow. I used the tru oil on one of my bows came out great. have not done it on white fiberglass, does it yellow over time?

In the end, the Deft remained tacky on the rosewood so I removed it. I'm getting hard lessons when it comes to rosewood.

I would like to try the, activated in the can, two part epoxy next time and see how it works on rosewood.

That is a beauty bow! Nice refinish too. Have you ever heard of General Finish Wipe-On Poly? WoodCraft sells it, and It works very well. It's a lot like min wax wipe on but it's slightly thicker but dries completely overnight. As soon as I get the leather grip back on the bow I'll post a picture.

Mike, I have not but I planned on cruising through Rockler soon and I assume they might carry it. I'll look at it - Thanks.

As the Authority, I'd say this one is definitely a second and should be junked, but I suppose it will shoot ok, and that abominable shelf inlay can be covered.

Joe

Joe, I'll trade you for the turquoise turkey....

I just might have the all-time #1 Drake!

Joe

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