Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: GraysonM on April 24, 2010, 10:00:26 pm
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Hey all! First, this place is awesome! You all seem like great folks, and are super helpful! I just started my bow making adventures with a trip to the hardware store, and picked up two red oak boards, and various bow making supplies as per Sam Harpers tutorial. Now, the boards are two and a half inches. This seems really wide! Sam's build-a-long/guide uses a board thats an inch and a half, a whole inch shorter than mine! I dont have a table saw or bandsaw available, so using those to trim the boards wont be much help. Any suggestions? ??? Thanks for the help! ;D
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rasp or surform would work
'just takes a little elbow grease and a little desire
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Haha, elbow grease? Where do i get it? is it next to the titebond!? :P
Okey doke. Thanks for the quick reply!
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actually ya need to go int ot the hradware department
its right next to the plumbers crack sealer ;D
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get yourself a stanly blockplane i use one alot
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Use a handsaw. Jawge
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... :D :D :D Oh boy, I dont even know what to say to that one! :P Actually, a trip to the garage produced a planer, which has worked well. Only i had a little goof up. There's break about two thirds down the board, that dips below the 1.5 inch line, what do I do!? For the other three staves i have from the same type of board, what would be the best way to start the process?
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Looks like you were hogging wood out a little too aggressively with that planer! Planer should never take off more than about 1/16" at a pass, and preferably less. Not the best way to thin a board down from 2.5" to 1.5" wide!!
I used a hand held saber saw to cut a 1x3 plank in half to make two bows. Worked just fine by going slow and sticking to the line.
You could actually use a hand saw to cut the board in half lengthwise. :o Hand saws have been around a lot longer than electric ones. :D You'll need a couple good clamps to hold the board in place and a good table of some sort to clamp to; but you'll need those things anyway. 8)
Depends on how far into the 1-1/2" section you've gone. No reason your bow can't be 1-1/4" wide just as well; it's not like the God of Bows will smite you for being a little narrow. >:D Your other choice would seem be to go back to the lumberyard and get a real 1x2 (3/4 x 1-1/2" actual) and start with that...
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Most lumberyards won't charge you anything to cut a board you're buying. Next time ask them to run it through their table saw.
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I have found carpenter shops every where, Most will help you, if you ask to trim the board and cut to length. If you were close to me, I would cut and help you build the bow. Good Luck Denny
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If you plan on making several bows, you might want to check your local Craigslist for a band saw. To cut boards like what you are using, a small bench top model would work. You should be able to find one pretty cheap. I just sold a 9"Ryobi for $30.
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Yea. Definitely having them cut it next time. Good idea on the craigslist bandsaw!
What happened with the break was I tried splitting it with a hatchet. :o Not my best idea.
One and a quarter eh? hmmmmm...
thanks for the offer Denny!
Well, I'll go on a head and tell you guys how it goes!
Thanks for the help everyone!
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I use hand tools for most of it. it takes more time but allows you to look and "read" the piece of wood you are working with.
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I rough out some of my bows with a sharp hatchet. Just take little bites - it works surprisingly well.
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I don't own a bow grade bandsaw. Most of my building is done with hand tools. I do use a sander for roughing out and handle shaping. Beginners should leave power tools for later on. What's the rush? Jawge