Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Kegan on July 18, 2009, 12:29:35 pm
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I'm trying to get my friend started in bow building. He doesn't have alot tools, so he was looking at the 4-in-1 rasp in 3 Rivers. It looked sort of short to me, but anyone have any actual experience with it?
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it's ok for some shaping work, ie handle, fades for instance, but I'd suggest purchasing a farrier's rasp before getting a 4-in-1.
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I have used a 4 in 1 rasp but not for bow building. I wouldnt recommend buying one. The rasp that works the best is a farriers rasp. I have a couple of friends that give me their old ones from shoeing horses and they work very well.
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Kegan it will work fine, not as good as a Nicholson #49 but works just the same.
Go to Ace, Home Depot etc they have them and no shipping charges.
I started with a 4in1 and a butcher knife for a scraper :)
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I'd go with a Nicholson #49, but my problem with the 4 n 1 is if you use it a lot you have to duct tape one end to make a handle, otherwise you'll wear out your hand. Also it's not good to handle (bare handed) a rasp or file, it'll ruin em.
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get a sure form,alot easier on the arms than a regular rasp and you get the same effects
push hard removes lots,push light removes slight amount.
i use a cheap no name brand one, and i only go thru one blade after taking a hick stave down completely by hand
i do have a 4 in 1 and a cheaper #49,but always find myself reaching for the surform first for most work jm2c
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Any hardware or home store should have them for around $8. They're very cheap and a basic bowmaking tool. Though I prefer my #49 and #50 Nicholson rasps, I use a 4:1 rasp (especially the file side) quiet a bit for shaping grips and tips. Almost a decade ago, I used just a 4:1 rasp and a pocketknife to tiller my first osage bow from a roughed out blank that I traded for.
An ideal list of tools for a beginner, IMO, would include a vise, drawknife, hatchet, long handled (12") sureform rasp, 4:1 rasp, small chainsaw file, gooseneck and straight scraper (or substitute such as a pocketknife for same), and assorted sandpaper. Of those, the vise is the biggest expense, but combined, you should be able to aquire everything for under $100. The really budget minded can squeeze by with a hatchet, sureform, 4:1 rasp, and pocketknife to tackle everything from tree to finished bow.
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agreed...
#1 important tool: VISE...some way, you've got to hold that sucker still, and a vise is the easiest, quickest, and surest way to do this. I've spent this last week switching up two clamps on a stave...it's awkward and slow. Just now picked up a vise off the classifieds, brand new, 3" swivel for $30...$75 new....and it is unused...look in your classified section and online....
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4 in 1 rasps suck, in my opinion. They're like any other compromise tool... not very good. The working surface is also too short. Buy a good full size rasp, like a Nicholson #49 or #50. It'll last a lifetime anyway.
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Thanks everyone :)! I'm glad I can give him some actual first hand opinions of the tool.
So far I gave him the basic list: vice (he got one in a flea market two days after contacting me about bow building), hatchet, and rasp. He has a nice hatchet and he seems to have a pretty good idea of how to use it. He was looking in 3Rivers for string material and saw the 4-in-1 and wondered if that would work. Obviously not as well ;D.
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The 4 in 1 from 3Rivers is the one I use, I like it a lot for finishing work, of course it won't substitute for a bigger rasp for agressive wood removing, but for it's purpose it's perfect IMO ;)
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i agree..the 4 in 1 is handy for smaller work and touch ups...it's not a hatchet, drawknife, or big rasp...it cannot do what they can do in terms of wood removal...but in terms of delicate tuning, they cannot match the 4 in 1
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I have had the 4 in 1 for a while and never really used it. I always used my nicholson 49, but recently have started using especially for shapping handles and tips.
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it's true, the 49 is awesome for shaping work, incredible tool
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I just started bow building myself. I use a 4in1 rasp.would recommed gloves or taping the unused end if your hands are soft. It will blister or take skin off if you are not carefull. I am building the bow in the thread about draw length. My tools I have used include an axe, 1 inch hand plane, 6 inch round file, and rip saw. All tools hand me downs from when my grandfather passed away years ago. The 4in1 is nice, however if you have to by I would invest in one of the long files and lots of sand paper.
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My Top Tools are....a Ferriers Rasp....my Stanley Surform (with the flat cheese grater...not the round).....Nicholsons 49....and my Scraper that I bought at Pappy's from Shannon........ ;D..........out of all of the Bow Building Tools I have bought or acquired over the Years.....thee Least Used Tools are....my 4 in 1 Rasp....my Mystic Scraper...and my Stanley No.60 Spokeshave....although the Spokeshave does work nice on ELB's
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I started bowmaking with a 4 in 1 rasp. I didn't realize how bad a tool it was until I got my first Nicholson#50 . I followed the #50 with a #49 and wouldn't take a free 4 in 1 if someone tryed to give it to me.
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I like the farriers rasp. They really hog off the wood.
agreed...
#1 important tool: VISE...some way, you've got to hold that sucker still, and a vise is the easiest, quickest, and surest way to do this. I've spent this last week switching up two clamps on a stave...it's awkward and slow. Just now picked up a vise off the classifieds, brand new, 3" swivel for $30...$75 new....and it is unused...look in your classified section and online....
I worked for 2 years without owning a vise. I don't think they are necessary at all. I built a bench with a vise and I still work without it. ;D ;D
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Thanks for all the input guys. But he ordered one anyway :P. Oh well, at least it seems like it will be good for finer work :).
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If he doesn't like it, send it to me I'll gladly take it ;)
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fair enough, justin...but i think a vise is a great tool...it's not versatile (it only does one thing) but it rocks at what it does!
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If Manny doesn't want it, I'll take it. LOL. I use mine for shaping nocks, removing knicks, shaping the handle, etc. I've used one on just about every bow I've ever made. Jawge
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A 4 in 1 was my first bow building tool. I found it quite useful with the flat and rounded/course and fine sides. For a beginner I think it's fine. I got mine locally at the hardware store.
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I also use one on most every bow I built ,some where along the process usually around the fads and handle.I got mine at Home Depo.I like a vice also.I have done it without one but like it much better with it.All in what you get use to. :)
Pappy