Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: coyote1956 on April 05, 2010, 09:52:21 pm

Title: File / Rasp which one
Post by: coyote1956 on April 05, 2010, 09:52:21 pm
Please help me choose,  I am new at this and want to get the correct tools that you experianced guys go to..........  Ok I hear  that the Nicholson #49 and #50 pattern makers file is the go to files of choice, Ok now if you had to have just one of them, which would it be the #49 less teeth ruffer cut, or the #50 more teeth smoother cut?    Or,,,   is there a better number one choice file/rasp ?   I will be building Osage Bows, and need all the help i can get!!!  I have to make the correct choice in tools as money is a factor. 
Thank You very much for any and all help/advice/comments,  Ken
Title: Re: File / Rasp which one
Post by: sailordad on April 05, 2010, 10:32:29 pm
i like my sureform
it hogs off like a rasp,handles like a plane,and can be as delicate as a scraper once you learn to use them
Title: Re: File / Rasp which one
Post by: aero86 on April 05, 2010, 10:36:14 pm
i have to agree with sailordad.  to build my bows, i need either a hatchet for tree staves, or a jig saw for board staves and a sureform.  works great
Title: Re: File / Rasp which one
Post by: Timo on April 05, 2010, 10:48:19 pm
UBR 10! ;) Best I ever put my hands on.
Title: Re: File / Rasp which one
Post by: Frode on April 05, 2010, 11:33:11 pm
Sureform and rasp, interchangeably for me, though I did just get a microplane (looks like a sureform but with little straight blades/teeth instead of round like my sureform).  I've only had it a few days, but it does work nice.  That and a mill file.
Frode
Title: Re: File / Rasp which one
Post by: billy on April 05, 2010, 11:39:51 pm
My favorite rasp for heavy wood removal is a farrier's rasp.  It has large teeth on one side that really remove wood quickly.  Also, it is much bigger and heavier than most wood rasps and the weight really gives it momentum which helps it to "carry through" the wood when you use it.

The other side of the rasp has much finer teeth that helps remove larger tool marks.  Because it is a larger rasp, it cannot do abrupt angles....for that you would need a smaller rasp.  But other than that, I'll reach for my farrier's rasp above all others when it comes to making bows.   
Title: Re: File / Rasp which one
Post by: horseapple on April 06, 2010, 12:15:55 am
Since I've had the Torges UBR 10 I use nothing else, period.  I think the real trick in using a nicholson or UBR 10 is all in the technique, most fight it and doesn't let the tool do its job, like most hand tools.

JD
Title: Re: File / Rasp which one
Post by: kerryb on April 06, 2010, 12:26:58 am
coyote1959, pm me your address and i will send you one that will do the job.
Title: Re: File / Rasp which one
Post by: ilcoalminer on April 06, 2010, 12:41:33 am
have a look at the     
Nicholson 8in Woodcraft Rasp
the rasp side is rounded and it has a file side witch is straight. it gives you tools in one and at a fairly low price for us guys that are low on funds ;D
Title: Re: File / Rasp which one
Post by: Justin Snyder on April 06, 2010, 01:17:14 am
Farriers rasp for sure. The price is right too.
Title: Re: File / Rasp which one
Post by: CraigMBeckett on April 06, 2010, 04:36:30 am
Sorry Gents have to ask this as I don't come from your neck of the woods and you may actually have a sureform tool.

When you sailordad, aero86  and frode talk of a sureform are you actually talkiing of the surform as in the Stanley Surform File/Plane/etc, splet without the "e" ???

If not can you post a picture of the sureform? I may know it under a different name.

Craig.
Title: Re: File / Rasp which one
Post by: Pappy on April 06, 2010, 06:46:23 am
Farriers rasp for sure and if I could have only one of the 49-50 I would have to pick the 49.
   Pappy
Title: Re: File / Rasp which one
Post by: DanaM on April 06, 2010, 08:09:33 am
Ditto what Pappy said, personally I hate using a surform
Title: Re: File / Rasp which one
Post by: Stonedog on April 06, 2010, 09:02:34 am
Farriers rasp for me.....but I would love to get a UBR 10......
Title: Re: File / Rasp which one
Post by: The Gopher on April 06, 2010, 10:49:14 am
Farriers rasp for a cheaper tool that can really hog off wood

UBR10 for a nice tool that will last a long time - note neither the #49, #50, or UBR10 should be used to "hog off" wood, these are really good cutting tools and hogging off wood with them is just a waste of money because they will dull faster, let the tool do the work for you.
Title: Re: File / Rasp which one
Post by: Hillbilly on April 06, 2010, 10:56:56 am
A farrier's rasp hands-down for most work. It has the rough side that will really hog off wood, and the fine side that is less aggressive. It is also big enough to do some serious work. You can get a new one for about $20 or less. I also have a Nicholson #49 that is great for touch-up work on small areas like the handle and fades, but the farrier's rasp is the workhorse for sure.
Title: Re: File / Rasp which one
Post by: aero86 on April 06, 2010, 11:10:02 am
i bought a wood rasp from a ranch and farm store here for like 3 dollars.  works pretty good too
Title: Re: File / Rasp which one
Post by: Pappy on April 06, 2010, 11:28:19 am
I get the farriers rasp from a horse shoeing buddy of mine,if he hit a nail or something with it he throws them in a bucket and I get them for 5 bucks a piece,If I could only have one file that would be it,once you learn how to use it you can take off a bunch of wood and can also angle it right with the finer side and finish up pretty darn smooth. I do like the 49 like Hillbilly said for handles and fads. :)
   Pappy
Title: Re: File / Rasp which one
Post by: John K on April 06, 2010, 02:52:12 pm
Yep Farriers rasp, is what i reach for, i got a buddy that is  a Ferrier, i get his old ones for nothing !  :)
Title: Re: File / Rasp which one
Post by: Orkraider on April 07, 2010, 12:06:32 am
someone asked if sureform was the same thing as a stanley surform; yep, they're one and the same. Here, at Menards, you can also get the cheap "tool shop" brand version of the same tool, costs less, uses the same blades, works fine.

I want to get me a farriers rasp now, I'll be on the lookout.
Title: Re: File / Rasp which one
Post by: CraigMBeckett on April 07, 2010, 01:02:16 am
Oakraider,

Thank you for clearing that up, thought their may be a tool out there I knew nothing about.

My preference is for big rasps, have a number of them of differing cut, all are second hand obtained at various garage and disposal sales. I find the surform useful on some woods and useful for some jobs but useless on others.

Craig.
Title: Re: File / Rasp which one
Post by: Traxx on April 07, 2010, 01:31:24 am
Farrier Rasp,But im a bit Bias.LOL
Title: Re: File / Rasp which one
Post by: Gordon on April 07, 2010, 02:34:46 am
I have both a 49 and 50. If I had to chose just one, it would be the 49 because it is a bit more versatile.
Title: Re: File / Rasp which one
Post by: El Destructo on April 07, 2010, 02:59:40 am
Farrier Rasp,But im a bit Bias.LOL

Yeah...but we all don't spend all day cleaning and scraping stinky ole Frogs either........ ;D

I too use a ferriers rasp from start to damned near finish on all my  Bows....best tool I have everworked with at removing ans shaping wood...but I must concur with SailorDad also...I have a Stanley Flat Sureform...and if you spend some time to learn how to wield this Weapon...it works quite well at Bow Building too...works quite well on Woods that like to gouge easy...and at reducing knots....JMO
Title: Re: File / Rasp which one
Post by: Far East Archer on April 07, 2010, 10:07:54 am
Shinto rasp works well for me.
Can cut hard wood like ebony and ipe easy, almost too aggressive if used on less hard woods like ash so I use the finer side.
I like it because its light weight and I can get new blade replacements.
Title: Re: File / Rasp which one
Post by: Eric Krewson on April 07, 2010, 10:19:04 am
I like quality tools. I am a bit of a tool snob but have used almost everything out there. Working only osage a sureform just didn't hold up, clogged easily and was frustrating for me to use. I first bought a #50 pattern makers rasp and was at awe at how well it cut wood. Next I bought a #49 which was a vast improvement over the #50. The #49 gets my vote.
Title: Re: File / Rasp which one
Post by: horseapple on April 07, 2010, 11:30:38 am
Eric, save up your money and try one of Deans UBR 10 rasp, you'll be amazed.

JD