Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: islandpiper on January 22, 2009, 11:30:03 pm

Title: A Handy Nock-Layout Tool
Post by: islandpiper on January 22, 2009, 11:30:03 pm
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)

(http://i498.photobucket.com/albums/rr346/islandpiper51/DSCF0037-2.jpg)

(http://i498.photobucket.com/albums/rr346/islandpiper51/DSCF0038-2.jpg)

(http://i498.photobucket.com/albums/rr346/islandpiper51/DSCF0039-1.jpg)

(http://i498.photobucket.com/albums/rr346/islandpiper51/DSCF0040-1.jpg)

(http://i498.photobucket.com/albums/rr346/islandpiper51/DSCF0041.jpg)

(http://i498.photobucket.com/albums/rr346/islandpiper51/DSCF0042.jpg)

(http://i498.photobucket.com/albums/rr346/islandpiper51/DSCF0043.jpg)

(http://i498.photobucket.com/albums/rr346/islandpiper51/DSCF0044.jpg)

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

piper

Title: Re: A Handy Nock-Layout Tool
Post by: Shooter_G22 on January 22, 2009, 11:36:02 pm
nice...

  im using that one thanks... ;)
Title: Re: A Handy Nock-Layout Tool
Post by: brownhillboy on January 22, 2009, 11:42:27 pm
Great idea!  That will make things easier and quicker.  Thanks!
Title: Re: A Handy Nock-Layout Tool
Post by: sailordad on January 22, 2009, 11:45:42 pm
i just use my chain saw file and cut them in by eyeballing them
Title: Re: A Handy Nock-Layout Tool
Post by: Pat B on January 22, 2009, 11:47:27 pm
Tim, you took the words right out of my mouth!  A chainsaw file and an eyeball.
Ain't that cheating Keith? ;)
Title: Re: A Handy Nock-Layout Tool
Post by: sailordad on January 22, 2009, 11:49:49 pm
i dont think adding steps would be quiker,maybe a little neater thats all
Title: Re: A Handy Nock-Layout Tool
Post by: Jesse on January 22, 2009, 11:50:14 pm
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 :)
Title: Re: A Handy Nock-Layout Tool
Post by: Jesse on January 22, 2009, 11:51:20 pm
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 ;D
Title: Re: A Handy Nock-Layout Tool
Post by: Pat B on January 23, 2009, 12:42:17 am
That's why I like crooked bows. They make my nocks look straight! ;D
Title: Re: A Handy Nock-Layout Tool
Post by: Pappy on January 23, 2009, 06:29:04 am
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
Title: Re: A Handy Nock-Layout Tool
Post by: Cromm on January 23, 2009, 07:27:43 am
That's great thanks for showing!!
Title: Re: A Handy Nock-Layout Tool
Post by: islandpiper on January 23, 2009, 08:25:24 am
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
Title: Re: A Handy Nock-Layout Tool
Post by: Joe M on January 23, 2009, 08:35:29 am
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. 
Title: Re: A Handy Nock-Layout Tool
Post by: islandpiper on January 23, 2009, 08:42:52 am
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
Title: Re: A Handy Nock-Layout Tool
Post by: TRACY on January 23, 2009, 10:06:03 am
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
Title: Re: A Handy Nock-Layout Tool
Post by: Eric Krewson on January 23, 2009, 10:38:52 am
I like that idea, simple and precise.

Because I always use overlays on my bows I usually just cut a groove across the back for the long string. When I get to the short string I use the string as a guide to mark my side grooves. The little groove you see on the back of the nock is a stringing nock. I usually go to the short string about 20# over weight and can't string the bow without a stringer, too much poundage. I use the normal string nock on one end and my stringing nock on the other. The stringing nock is gone after I finish shaping the nock and don't need it any more.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v181/ekrewson/stringnocklocater.jpg)
Title: Re: A Handy Nock-Layout Tool
Post by: Pat B on January 23, 2009, 11:41:33 am
If my groove if off a bunch because of limb character, etc, I usually do as Eric shows with the string in the groove. 
   It is probably good to use a stringer for the first couple of bracing to lessen the chance of over stressing the bow before it is ready. 
Title: Re: A Handy Nock-Layout Tool
Post by: armymedic.2 on January 23, 2009, 12:28:39 pm
hhhmmm, that coujld have saved me some trouble on my last bow.  since i had already piked it i ended up with some knocks that were a little...wide i'll say :}  thanks for your idea.