Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: IndianGuy on March 22, 2011, 05:54:25 pm

Title: Lets see where you build them bows!
Post by: IndianGuy on March 22, 2011, 05:54:25 pm: Well I was wondering what or rather where you guys build your bows, my cave is small but has everything I need. Good vise, plenty of hand tools, work bench, work table, a picture of one of my heros, a dead animals head taken with stick bow of course and a fridge for a refreshing beverage after a day of bowmaking. I spend 8-10 hours a day out here 6 days a week so it's comfortable.
Sure have made a lot of nice bows and arrows from this little spot.

Share some pics! :D

Eric
Title: Re: Lets see where you build them bows!
Post by: Eric Krewson on March 22, 2011, 06:12:57 pm: I made about 25 bows in a 5'X7' corner of my garage, did some work out under a maple tree in the front yard in hot weather and in the back yard in the spring and fall.

When I retired I moved to the country and built a shop, much nicer working conditions as it is heated and air conditioned. My last 100 bows came from my shop.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v181/ekrewson/bow%20making/shop08-2.jpg)
Title: Re: Lets see where you build them bows!
Post by: _Jon_ on March 22, 2011, 06:23:35 pm: I do my work at Twin Oaks. ;D

(http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee207/deltonn/myironwoodbow.jpg)

(http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee207/deltonn/myknifelikejoshuas.jpg)

(http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee207/deltonn/myknifelikejoshuas3.jpg)
Title: Re: Lets see where you build them bows!
Post by: mullet on March 22, 2011, 07:50:10 pm: Eric, most of the time under the lemon tree.
Title: Re: Lets see where you build them bows!
Post by: hillbilly61 on March 22, 2011, 08:00:59 pm: here' mine Just got it organized a couple weeks ago
(http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh49/hillbilly061/Mobile%20Uploads/0220111518.jpg)
(http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh49/hillbilly061/Mobile%20Uploads/0220111520.jpg)
Title: Re: Lets see where you build them bows!
Post by: toomanyknots on March 22, 2011, 08:33:05 pm: Hillbilly, you sinewin fool! Thats what I'm talkin about... :)
Title: Re: Lets see where you build them bows!
Post by: Grunt on March 22, 2011, 09:48:03 pm: Here's my studio. I built it in 1986-1987. I cut the timber, hauled the logs to a sawmill and had the logs cut into framing. Laid the studio out with a string and stakes and did the plan on graph paper. I built this building and drove every nail with my arm. I work every day in my studio teaching, turning wood, or carving sculpture and have been a professional craftsperson for a long time. I have been building bows for about four years. I can step outside my door and fire a 30/06 without the Federal troops showing up.
Indian guy, Sitting Bull gave 100 flesh offerings from each arm at the Sun Dance before they rubbed out longhair.
Title: Re: Lets see where you build them bows!
Post by: Bevan R. on March 22, 2011, 09:53:54 pm: Just build(ing) it.

Bevan R
Title: Re: Lets see where you build them bows!
Post by: Lee Slikkers on March 22, 2011, 10:26:04 pm: Dang, you folks all have some really nice set ups...whether big or small I can see there is a bit of rhythm to the madness. My unfinished spare bedroom is likely large enough to do all I need but I do think I will keep watching this thread and maybe put some thought into how it's laid out and arranged.

Great looking bow shops though folks...thanks for sharing a little "piece" of the magic.
Title: Re: Lets see where you build them bows!
Post by: osage outlaw on March 22, 2011, 10:31:21 pm: My shop is an 8x24 insulated room in the garage.

(http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r55/clintanders/SDC10638-1.jpg)

Here is the other side. I have a nice big work bench that seems to catch everything, a wall full of horns, and a shelf for various animal skulls.

(http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r55/clintanders/SDC11281.jpg)

Almost everything in my shop is on wheels so I can move things around. I like to work in the garage when its nice outside. I get a lot more airflow and it is easier to clean up.

(http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r55/clintanders/SDC11387.jpg)

(http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r55/clintanders/SDC11441.jpg)

I also do a lot of bow-related stuff in the house too. I sinew bows on the kitchen island. I try to spend some time with the wife in the evenings, so I will bring in a stave and layout the bow or make strings in the living room with her. That way, she's happy because we are spending time together, and I'm happy because I am working on bows.
Title: Re: Lets see where you build them bows!
Post by: John K on March 22, 2011, 10:34:00 pm: I started out clamping my staves to the front deck railing, now this is where i get to mess around :)

(http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll62/johnkeehn/shopgunhunt011.jpg)

(http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll62/johnkeehn/shopdeer.jpg)
Title: Re: Lets see where you build them bows!
Post by: Dauntless on March 22, 2011, 10:35:17 pm: Way to make a guy jealous. I have a crummy little vise attached to my bedframe... :-\
Title: Re: Lets see where you build them bows!
Post by: gmc on March 22, 2011, 10:49:52 pm: (http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh213/colevy/messy.jpg)

Sorry for the mess guys. Normally my wife sweeps up after me.

Alright, having a little fun there. This is closer to reality in my workspace.....

(http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh213/colevy/gmcworkspace.jpg)

Can't leave out the raw material rack...

(http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh213/colevy/Staverack-1.jpg)
Title: Re: Lets see where you build them bows!
Post by: HickoryBill on March 22, 2011, 11:01:40 pm: Not much to look at. I gotta work outside. I do have a buddy who lets me work in his garage when it's crappy outside.

(http://i1228.photobucket.com/albums/ee451/HickoryBill/0320111438a.jpg)
(http://i1228.photobucket.com/albums/ee451/HickoryBill/0322111754a.jpg)
Title: Re: Lets see where you build them bows!
Post by: IndianGuy on March 22, 2011, 11:05:01 pm: Looking good guys let's see some more! ;D
Title: Re: Lets see where you build them bows!
Post by: skyarrow on March 23, 2011, 12:18:17 am: Here is my work place its my carport lol il post more tomorrow when the Sun is up

(http://i1228.photobucket.com/albums/ee451/bloodmoonwidow/51bb576b.jpg)

(http://i1228.photobucket.com/albums/ee451/bloodmoonwidow/94719856.jpg)

(http://i1228.photobucket.com/albums/ee451/bloodmoonwidow/98dc6ee3.jpg)

(http://i1228.photobucket.com/albums/ee451/bloodmoonwidow/9037caec.jpg)

(http://i1228.photobucket.com/albums/ee451/bloodmoonwidow/dd4b2c41.jpg)

(http://i1228.photobucket.com/albums/ee451/bloodmoonwidow/72721f99.jpg)
Title: Re: Lets see where you build them bows!
Post by: Frode on March 23, 2011, 12:39:14 am: The Underground Lair.
I started to sweep it all up, then realized I'd just have to sweep it back underfoot again, so... ;D
Frode
Title: Re: Lets see where you build them bows!
Post by: mullet on March 23, 2011, 12:42:37 am: Dang, Sterling, you have a Shopping Cart and Obstacle Course basketball court? ??? ;)
Title: Re: Lets see where you build them bows!
Post by: gstoneberg on March 23, 2011, 01:16:39 am: I don't have a good picture of the inside of the shop, but this is the outside view after a rare Dallas snow. It is divided with a third, everything left of the fence, in a garage/metal shop and the other 2/3, everything right of the fence, is a wood shop where I build bows.

George

(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5016/5551505699_17b6765dc3_z.jpg)
Title: Re: Lets see where you build them bows!
Post by: aznboi3644 on March 23, 2011, 03:33:29 am: I used to work in my parents basement at night.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p67/aznboi3644/DSC01069.jpg)

Now I just work in my apartment living room and use an ugly rug my neighbor gave me to catch most of the shavings/chips while I sit on a small stool. When its nice out I'll go outside and work next to my tillering tree that is actually just a tree with a shelf bracket someone nailed years ago. I used a saw and sawed in some marks into the bark for draw length lol.

Right in front of the book cases is where I'll sit and work.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p67/aznboi3644/Bows/HickoryFullDraw.jpg)

And my tillering tree in the front yard...the little white thing on the tree is a rag I wrapped around the bracket so it won't cut the bow string or wear it out.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p67/aznboi3644/Bows/P2040235.jpg)
Title: Re: Lets see where you build them bows!
Post by: osage outlaw on March 23, 2011, 04:04:13 am: aznboi3644, maybe its just me, but your pics aren't showing up, only white squares.
Title: Re: Lets see where you build them bows!
Post by: aznboi3644 on March 23, 2011, 06:16:18 am: how about now?
Title: Re: Lets see where you build them bows!
Post by: osage outlaw on March 23, 2011, 07:11:24 am: Nope, still the same. Unless your buildin' bows at the north pole ;D
Title: Re: Lets see where you build them bows!
Post by: skyarrow on March 23, 2011, 10:41:55 am: Quote from: mullet on March 23, 2011, 12:42:37 am
Dang, Sterling, you have a Shopping Cart and Obstacle Course basketball court? ??? ;)
Hehe well I am a scavenger I don't know what I'm going to do with the cart yet but I'm
Thinking of putting larger axles and wheels on it and making it a yard cart to hual thing inthe yard like Chickens when it's butchering time ;)
Title: Re: Lets see where you build them bows!
Post by: sadiejane on March 23, 2011, 11:10:11 am: (http://i878.photobucket.com/albums/ab346/sadiejane9/bow%20and%20arrow%20making/DSCN77199.jpg)
(http://i878.photobucket.com/albums/ab346/sadiejane9/bow%20and%20arrow%20making/DSCN77133.jpg)
(http://i878.photobucket.com/albums/ab346/sadiejane9/bow%20and%20arrow%20making/DSCN77222.jpg)
(http://i878.photobucket.com/albums/ab346/sadiejane9/bow%20and%20arrow%20making/DSCN77811.jpg)
great thread indian guy
thanks!
Title: Re: Lets see where you build them bows!
Post by: Josh on March 23, 2011, 11:58:19 am: Here's mine... worktable with bow in progress, tillering tree, then panoramic view of workspace... Shoulda cleaned up a bit for the pic i guess... ;D

(http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c120/deftones3333/IMAG0189.jpg)

(http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c120/deftones3333/IMAG0190.jpg)

(http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c120/deftones3333/IMAG0188.jpg)
Title: Re: Lets see where you build them bows!
Post by: SiongSA on March 23, 2011, 11:59:53 am: Quote from: Eric Krewson on March 22, 2011, 06:12:57 pm
I made about 25 bows in a 5'X7' corner of my garage, did some work out under a maple tree in the front yard in hot weather and in the back yard in the spring and fall.

When I retired I moved to the country and built a shop, much nicer working conditions as it is heated and air conditioned. My last 100 bows came from my shop.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v181/ekrewson/bow%20making/shop08-2.jpg)
How long will that maple tree last in wonder ;D
Title: Re: Lets see where you build them bows!
Post by: Elktracker on March 23, 2011, 01:56:41 pm: My band saw and more wood are behind the wood rack in the next room, dont have any pictures but this is my cave and the room I work in the most all of my tools are on the old heating ducts on the ceiling and in my black bag ;D
Title: Re: Lets see where you build them bows!
Post by: ken75 on March 23, 2011, 06:46:01 pm: well this is my study area and where the ideas take form. this is an important brainstorming studio .i build bows down in the shop though
Title: Re: Lets see where you build them bows!
Post by: Elktracker on March 23, 2011, 06:50:08 pm: ;D
Title: Re: Lets see where you build them bows!
Post by: Bevan R. on March 23, 2011, 06:54:04 pm: Like the brick walls Elktracker. Real 'Man Cave' feel.

Bevan R
Title: Re: Lets see where you build them bows!
Post by: Elktracker on March 23, 2011, 07:04:41 pm: Quote from: Bevan R. on March 23, 2011, 06:54:04 pm
Like the brick walls Elktracker. Real 'Man Cave' feel.

Bevan R

Ya ill get more pics there are chains mortered into the wall and a bunch of scarry stuff carved into them :o It is my friends basement he wouldnt go down there before I moved my stuff in ;D
Title: Re: Lets see where you build them bows!
Post by: bubby on March 23, 2011, 07:11:13 pm: this is it, organized chaosmost of the time, heck I can just barely get far enough away to take a pic on the tree ;D(http://i623.photobucket.com/albums/tt320/bubncheryl/handpad002-9.jpg)
Title: Re: Lets see where you build them bows!
Post by: Elktracker on March 23, 2011, 07:17:42 pm: Dont you just love haveing plenty of room to store all you stuff ;D
Title: Re: Lets see where you build them bows!
Post by: bubby on March 23, 2011, 07:55:09 pm: yeah my wife said it was getting a little creepy with all the tendons hangin, so I moved them up so they didn't rub her hair when she walked by ;D
Title: Re: Lets see where you build them bows!
Post by: toomanyknots on March 23, 2011, 10:37:02 pm: Tiller tree

(http://i51.tinypic.com/334j3ma.jpg)

Cabinet where I neatly compact all my tools and various other bow related things opposite the tiller tree,... the 7 foot tiller tree that is right in the middle of the living room when I use it, ... ;D

(http://i56.tinypic.com/1zq8vgj.jpg)

(http://i55.tinypic.com/2m2dnxi.jpg)

(http://i53.tinypic.com/zxliyr.jpg)

This is my work porch. I couldn't rasp or really work at all on a bow without the beam to lay the opposite limb I am working on to keep the bow still as rasp/file. I wrapped a towel around it so it doesn't mess up the limb.

(http://i52.tinypic.com/2cqbdwp.jpg)
Title: Re: Lets see where you build them bows!
Post by: ricktrojanowski on March 23, 2011, 10:56:17 pm: It's small, but it works. I do everthing from floor tiller to finish down in my basement. Bandsaw, and roughing all outside. And wood and shafting is scattered anywhere I can keep it dry and safe. The closet in the backround houses all other materials. Someday I'll have a real shop. ;)
Title: Re: Lets see where you build them bows!
Post by: toomanyknots on March 23, 2011, 11:29:33 pm: Looks like you got you one of those nice pulley tiller trees Rick, I need me one of those. So you just nail that tiller tree board to a stud in the wall?
Title: Re: Lets see where you build them bows!
Post by: osage outlaw on March 23, 2011, 11:53:52 pm: Hey Josh,
That's one heck of a bandsaw you got there. Looks like one of those old solid ones. I bet that thing is as smooth as butter.
Title: Re: Lets see where you build them bows!
Post by: Rick Wallace on March 24, 2011, 12:55:34 am: heres mine
(http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa398/wall5834/PICT1257.jpg)
other end
(http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa398/wall5834/PICT1256.jpg)
Title: Re: Lets see where you build them bows!
Post by: SA on March 24, 2011, 01:01:42 am: back porch for me..
Title: Re: Lets see where you build them bows!
Post by: SA on March 24, 2011, 01:07:45 am: that is a peice of osage i found workin in tishomingo ,it had been struck by lightening"pre heat treated" ;D
Title: Re: Lets see where you build them bows!
Post by: mullet on March 24, 2011, 01:08:28 am: One Theme I've noticed is, the Retired guys have the time and money to have nice, organized, clean shops. ;D
Title: Re: Lets see where you build them bows!
Post by: ricktrojanowski on March 24, 2011, 08:43:59 am: Quote from: toomanyknots on March 23, 2011, 11:29:33 pm
Looks like you got you one of those nice pulley tiller trees Rick, I need me one of those. So you just nail that tiller tree board to a stud in the wall?
It's just a piece of 5/4x4 poplar painted white. That I screwed into a stud in the wall (finished basement). Then a small pulley at bottom. I cut two pieces of 3/4" plywood to cradle the bow. The distance between the two is about the width of my hand. Then just mark down the tree for the draw lengths. Keeping in mind it will be a bit different depending on the handle style of the bow you are building.
Title: Re: Lets see where you build them bows!
Post by: Rick Wallace on March 24, 2011, 05:25:40 pm: Quote from: gmc on March 22, 2011, 10:49:52 pm
(http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh213/colevy/messy.jpg)

Sorry for the mess guys. Normally my wife sweeps up after me.

Alright, having a little fun there. This is closer to reality in my workspace.....

(http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh213/colevy/gmcworkspace.jpg)

Can't leave out the raw material rack...
Where is this shop? We need to sneek in and dump some sawdust on the floor!! C'MOME MAN,DIRTY THAT PLACE UP,,,!!!! ;D ;D

(http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh213/colevy/Staverack-1.jpg)
Title: Re: Lets see where you build them bows!
Post by: NTD on March 24, 2011, 07:18:26 pm: Quote from: ken75 on March 23, 2011, 06:46:01 pm
well this is my study area and where the ideas take form. this is an important brainstorming studio .i build bows down in the shop though

That's my study area too except mine has a stack of PA mags and at least one of the TBB's next too it. ;D
Title: Re: Lets see where you build them bows!
Post by: ken75 on March 24, 2011, 07:24:23 pm: lol Nate you cant see but to the left is traditional bow hunter mags , flint knapper books several tbb volumes and i rotate them every couple weeks to keep from reading the same stuff over an over
Title: Re: Lets see where you build them bows!
Post by: wildkatt on March 28, 2011, 03:10:57 am: ;D ok heres my bow shop in building stage.

Katt
Title: Re: Lets see where you build them bows!
Post by: NTD on March 29, 2011, 04:04:24 am: Quote from: ken75 on March 24, 2011, 07:24:23 pm
lol Nate you cant see but to the left is traditional bow hunter mags , flint knapper books several tbb volumes and i rotate them every couple weeks to keep from reading the same stuff over an over

Glad to hear you're normal! ;D
Title: Re: Lets see where you build them bows!
Post by: wildkatt on March 29, 2011, 01:23:01 pm: ;D The girls love to work on bows and ride horses..... Hmmmm Hunters i think LOL >:D

Katt
Title: Re: Lets see where you build them bows!
Post by: Caius on March 29, 2011, 01:56:44 pm: Does it count if I'm currently building in my grandmothers living room? Next week might be different cause I might be able to go outside without freezing....
Title: Re: Lets see where you build them bows!
Post by: HickoryBill on March 29, 2011, 10:51:46 pm: Caius: I hear ya!! I live in PA and the weather has been cold here for a long time! I usually get stuck working outside. When its real bad a have a couple guys that let me use their garages.I'm lucky to have good friends!!
Title: Re: Lets see where you build them bows!
Post by: juniper junkie on March 29, 2011, 10:58:31 pm: I spent a lot of time cleaning up my shop today, partly because of the comment Keenan made about how messy it was :-[ so to shame him into cleaning his own shop, which was way worse than mine :o I decided to post some pics. lets see if he does the same >:D talk about the pot calling the kettle black :D