A Handy Nock-Layout Tool

[islandpiper]

For the first dozen or so bows I eye-balled the nocks......then i resorted to using a tool that I use for some other things in the violin shop.   Works good for this.....and it's more fun then building violins. 

Here is a little tool I use to mark nocks on bows.  It is just light card stock, a business card would work.   Fold it down the middle longways and cut one corner off at about 45 degrees.  Then, by using the fold and the square end and the diagonal end you can mark the back, the sides and the belly of the bow for filing in the nocks.  (I hope these pics are in sort of the right order)

















I'm guessing that you all have other methods.   Share em? 

piper

[Shooter_G22]

nice...

  im using that one thanks...

[brownhillboy]

Great idea!  That will make things easier and quicker.  Thanks!

[sailordad]

i just use my chain saw file and cut them in by eyeballing them

[Pat B]

Tim, you took the words right out of my mouth!  A chainsaw file and an eyeball.
Ain't that cheating Keith?

[sailordad]

i dont think adding steps would be quiker,maybe a little neater thats all

[Jesse]

Same here chain saw and eye ball. I probably get a little different angle on each one but this is a card trick that might come in handy

[Jesse]

Same here chain saw and eye ball. I probably get a little different angle on each one but this is a card trick that might come in handy

Cain saw file that is

[Pat B]

That's why I like crooked bows. They make my nocks look straight!

[Pappy]

Chain saw file 5/32 and eyeball,nothing else is prefect on my bows ,so I figure why make the nocks prefect. Good idea may try that when I get the rest down pat.
   Pappy

[Cromm]

That's great thanks for showing!!

[islandpiper]

In many things, uniformity, or at least apparent uniformity is important visually and in terms of useability.  i wonder how many bows are 2 1/2" shorter because the maker screwed up the nocks and had to cut the ends off.  I'll probably keep laying them out with a pencil and folded card.   piper

[Joe M]

In many things, uniformity, or at least apparent uniformity is important visually and in terms of useability.  i wonder how many bows are 2 1/2" shorter because the maker screwed up the nocks and had to cut the ends off.  I'll probably keep laying them out with a pencil and folded card.   piper

I like the idea!  Quick and simple to use. 

[islandpiper]

And, in case you wonder about the bow tip shown in the pics:    it is just a quickie i bandsawed out of some red oak scrap for this post.  It didn't dawn on me to take pics when I was laying out the first of the movie bows a couple of days ago.   oops.    So, this "bow" is actually about 8" long.  piper

[TRACY]

In many things, uniformity, or at least apparent uniformity is important visually and in terms of useability.  i wonder how many bows are 2 1/2" shorter because the maker screwed up the nocks and had to cut the ends off.  I'll probably keep laying them out with a pencil and folded card.   piper

Didn't have to cut it off, but on one of my first ash bows, I got in a hurry and excited and filed them in the the wrong way . Just filed the nocks in the right direction below that and worked fine . Guess what I check several times before filing now?

I like your template idea!

Tracy