Bow making tools

[lonniels]

I will have to check out the best place for rasps. Thanks

[Slivershooter]

I made my first few bows with a hatchet, and draw Knife, 4 in 1 file, and cabinet scrapper.  I had power tools but at that time just wanted to make them using hand tools only.  Now I  use a bandsaw, draw knife, oscillating belt sander (Rigid), Ferrier’s rasp, #49 rasp, Bowyers Edge, Universal Bowyers rasp (from Torges), 1/8” chainsaw file, double cut mill bastard file, and sandpaper 100-600 grit.

[PK]

I would Like to just use my machete, I wonder how much time it would take. It has a chisel end and I was thinking of making a scraper on the back edge. its  a bit shorter cause it  broke chopping down the eucalyptus years ago. I wish I had a band saw instead of using the planes,those things wear me out. Nice thread.PK

[Pappy]

Like I said I am a tool nut,wished I could get by with just a rock like jamie,but I like
my hand tools.Also use a band saw and belt sander for rough out and tips.Here is what I have collected over the years,use some a lot and some only once.
   Pappy

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[Pappy]

The little files and picks and gouge tools are really handy when working on snaky ,knotty wood.
For good clean /straight stuff  I do use them much. You defiantly don't need all this stuff to make a bow but thought it might give some folks an Idea of things that are handy.
   Pappy

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[Postman]

Wow, pappy! I have a serious case of tool envy.....

[welch2]

Ya'll went and left out my favorite stave tool the froe.





Ralph

[Pappy]

Welch I have one of them also,don't use it much but I have a friend that swears by it.He will take sap wood bark all off at the same time on an Osage stave ,by standing it on its end and driving the fro down through it.It will usually run out on me so I do it mostly with a draw knife. 
   Pappy

[welch2]

You can use the blade as a lever ,it will stop it from running out. If you pull the handle toward ya the crack will run away from you,and vise versa. That's why the handle is kinda long ,for leverage.

Ralph

[BigWapiti]

I like using my large farriers rasp, a semi-aggressive rounded file and then of course scrapers.  An assortment of fine through gouging sand paper is good to have.  A 1/8" round file.

For debarking (outside Spring-time), I've been using a very dull scraper made from a rounded hunk of aluminum bar and a large diameter screw driver (used like a burnisher over the bark to help it lift - works amazingly well and doesn't mar the underlying wood as a slip of the scraper will).

[BigWapiti]

I guess I should add too:

* 20' section of small diameter strong rope
* 150+# rated pully
* 100# hay scale
* 8' 4x4
* 2' 2x4

For the tillering tree.

[George Tsoukalas]

Awesome pics everyone. I use a hacthet, drawknife, surform, 4 way rasp, standing belt sander, cooper's tools, Swedish push knife and that's about it. Jawge

[lonniels]

Pappy,

Great assortment of tools, some day...

[tom sawyer]

I'm a tool addict too.  Here's a couple of pics of my drawknife collection.  I have a few froes too, and the usual assortment of scrapers and small stuff.  I might mention that Dean Torges also sells a small rattail file that I like better than a chainsaw file, its more aggressive and doesn't clog like the chainsaw file.

http://groups.msn.com/LenniesBowPage/tools.msnw?Page=1

[PK]

great set of tools Pappy Do you use jointer hand planes? or jack planes I got some stanleys made in the 50's some gave me.