Another newbie question

[Catkinson]

So silly question — I don’t have a bench vise , So how else do you guys takeoff wood and work on your bows when you do not have a vise to put it in?
 The only tutorials and videos I’ve seen the guys have their bows in a vise when scraping or taking off wood .
Thanks in advance!!
Chuck

[gfugal]

I used clamps on a heavy table or stationary surface like a deck railing when using a draw knife. Sometimes sitting on the bow worked if you were pulling it towards you, but it didn't work so well when you had to cut the other direction. sitting on it or clamping it to even a small table was enough when using a card scraper. I could even get away with just holding it in my hands if I used a rasp. If your shaping the bow without a draw knife, using a hatchet with the stave angled up on a stump or on grass works well too.

[Pappy]

If you are using a scraper you can do it in your lap, if taking off lots of wood a draw knife with the stave leaned up against a wall or tree.  Or C Clamp it to a table.  I use a vice most of the time now but have done it many times scraping in my lap.
 Pappy

[Pat B]

Chuck you can use a "C" clamp on your work bench.

[Scyth]

This . . . (C-Clamp) . . .


regards,

Scyth

[Catkinson]

Well duh !
I can’t believe I didn’t think of that !
You guys are awesome thanks!
Got a piece of premium grade hickory on the way and can’t wait to start .

[Hawkdancer]

Patience, Grasshopper!  Plan every move two or three times, measure and plot more than that, then post your ideas before you remove any wood!  Try to find a bow maker in your area and listen to him/her!    (lol)what!  You don't take advise from a lady!??  Yo' mama gonna slap you silly! !
That is meant  to be funny! - not any sort of knock in the head or ego!  These folks will help al they can!
Hawkdancer

[Hawkdancer]

Btw, you should also  make a "chest protector" - an 8" square of wood with a rope necklace, helps brace the wood, and keeps the drawknife out of your chest cavity!  Of course, if your stroke is low, you may want to make it longer! . We also have a sense of humor!  Btw, my. First bow is doing well, so far!
Hawkdancer

[Del the cat]

Hold it upright, one end on the ground or a chopping block, other end in your hand, use an axe/hatchet.
Or build a shave horse
Del

[Hawkdancer]

Sharp hatchet!  And keep your leg out out the strike deflection zone!  Or, like Del said build a shave horse.  There are some plans in the "How to's", some are collapsible.  Have fun!  Don't work on the bow when you are tired or grumpy!  And don't get in a hurry!  Also, the only dump question is the one you don't ask!
Hawkdancer

[jeffp51]

I built a shave horse in an afternoon from dimentional lumber. a couple of 2x2s, a 2x8, and some scrap 2x4.  Still holding up several years later.  There are lots of plans on the interwebs that you can modify to suit your own size and needs.  Now even if I had a bench vice, I would prefer the shave horse.  worth all the effort.

[stuckinthemud]

A chest-high, stout post cemented into the floor, or clamped to a table, or bolted to a wall or clamped by a door-way is invaluable as you can nail/screw or carve all sorts of slots and face plates into/onto it - sort of a poor-man's leg-vice

[Catkinson]

Patience, Grasshopper!  Plan every move two or three times, measure and plot more than that, then post your ideas before you remove any wood!  Try to find a bow maker in your area and listen to him/her!    (lol)what!  You don't take advise from a lady!??  Yo' mama gonna slap you silly! !
That is meant  to be funny! - not any sort of knock in the head or ego!  These folks will help al they can!
Hawkdancer

Lol
No offense taken
Sound wisdom .

[Sidewinder]

I started out debarking staves with a draw knife, clamping them to my deck rail. As soon as you can scab onto a good 3-4" vise. I would go that way. works like a charm and much more control. Also the more stable it is to debark, the more proficient you will become at using the knife and controlling your blade angle which in turn will make it easier to learn to chase the rings on osage once it comes time for that. There is no substitute for the time spent to get used to the tool so that it does the work.