Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: bowtarist on December 30, 2011, 01:47:52 pm
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So, I've yet to make a bow. I've shot trad. for years, but really want to shoot a self bow. I've been collecting tools and here's what I've got. I bought a 12" band saw off Craigs list for $100, it's a craftsman, but has been all refabbed, has a 3/4 hp motor and a nice homemade steel stand, uses a 1/2" blade, I have a draw knife and a 2" block plane and my Dad just got me a spoke shave for Christmas. I'm wondering about it though, it has a curved bottom on it, is that ok?
Seems to be a real nice one, it's made by KUNZ out of Germany, it's a No.51AR. I used it last night to make a hawk handle out of blue beech and it worked great. I also aquired a shaving bench from a buddy who wanted to get it out of his antique shop in Bean Blossom, Indiana. Besides sand paper, straight edge, nock file and a stave, is there anything else I'll need.
Thanks, dpgratz
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Get you a Dean Torges Rasp or a Nicholson #49 an #50 rasp, some cabnit scrapers, and you should be able to make any bow you want
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I would also suggest a farriers rasp.
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You'll want a Nicholson #49 rasp and/or farriers rasp, a scraper and maybe a Bowyers' Edge that looks like a spokeshave but is really a scraper in a similar handle set up. For scrapers a plain rectangular steel scraper works fine. Spoke shaves are great for material that cuts well and has nice grain like your beech or yew and hickory - does not work as well on osage unless the grain is very straight.
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Find the thread on the 'Gizmo'. This is a very handy tillering tool to add to your kit.
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rasp scraper and some b-50 dacron.
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Gary Davis' video "Rattlestick" would be a big help to a first time bowyer. Good luck and post your progress.
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I would have to add
Paul Comstock's book 'The Bent Stick'.
I still concider it part of my 'tool kit'.
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I have "rattlestick", got it in a trade on this site. Haven't watched yet. Have watched st.charles, but don't plan on making a billet bow. I've plenty of b-50, looks like I need a couple of files and a scraper. Anybody still use glass? I knew an old Kentukian who hand split train ties, and would wear ax handles out. :o he made his own and would finish them w/ a piece of glass. I've done it a few times w/ spoons and letter openers. Thanks for the replys, dpgratz
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Lately its from living to bow,, fell with a saw, split with an axe, rough out with the same axe, draw knife, cab scraper, sand n finish. Oh and a rat tail file and pen knife for nocks.
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hatchet, a knife, a rasp, sometimes wedges and mallet is all i have been using for my attempts at bows.
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dude, stop thinking 'bout what you need and just build a bow, first couple i built i ruffed it out on my in-laws bandsaw and did the rest with a four in one, a chainsaw file and a knife for a scraper. They are alot more fun to make if you're makin', >:D, Bub
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You don't really need many tools. There are buildalongs on my site which show the tools I use. It's probably not a good idea to use power tools until you have made a good 1/2 dozen bows. They do remove wood fast and you need to go slow. Jawge
http://georgeandjoni.home.comcast.net/~georgeandjoni/
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ok ok, I cut some maple last winter and am going to give it a try. I roughed out a couple of kids bows a year ago or so and broke them both. Guess that's just part of it, huh? Suppose I've got everything I need. I thought about hitting up the local sawmill too to see what they have. I've been reading and rereading TBB2 chaper on board bows and also #1 too. I don't post often on this page, but hope to more. Thanks for the push Bubby. ;D H.N.Y., dpg
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Bowtarist, looks like you got all you need to get started. Start working on your first bow and you will see what else you need...
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Make yourself a tillering gizmo.
http://tradgang.com/noncgi/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=125;t=001047#000000
A half pair of scissors makes a dandy scraper.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v181/ekrewson/bow%20making/scissorsscraper.jpg)
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starting with a piece of seasoned osage, the only tools i use are:
draw knife
4 way rasp
scraper
chain saw file for nocks
sandpaper
of course i also have a homemade bench(just that a flat bench)
and a wood clamp to hold the stave in place while working it
also a tillering stick as that stage comes round( 2 x 2 with slots cut at an angle for the string marked at every inch from 12-28")
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ok ok, I cut some maple last winter and am going to give it a try. I roughed out a couple of kids bows a year ago or so and broke them both. Guess that's just part of it, huh? Suppose I've got everything I need. I thought about hitting up the local sawmill too to see what they have. I've been reading and rereading TBB2 chaper on board bows and also #1 too. I don't post often on this page, but hope to more. Thanks for the push Bubby. ;D H.N.Y., dpg
Breakage has definitely been part of my journey. I've been at this for a little under a year, and I have probably attempted right around a dozen or more bows. Only 3 of those attempts gave me a shootable bow, and one of those is only about 20#. But I tell ya, shooting the other two is a real thrill, and I have learned more in the past 6 months than I thought possible. I really feel like I have a solid grasp on the basics now. The ones you break teach you much more than the ones you don't.