Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Del the cat on February 04, 2013, 02:03:55 pm

Title: ELB Horn Nocks
Post by: Del the cat on February 04, 2013, 02:03:55 pm
I've had a few people asking about horn nocks, and on my blogmy 'horn nock fitting tool' is the most viewed page.
Sooooo I finally bit the bullet and took some video and stills as I spent today doing one on my latest ELB which I'll post in full when it's done.
It's a 2 part 'Horn Nock Instructional'  (both parts are there, but I've linked to part1
http://bowyersdiary.blogspot.co.uk/2013/02/horn-nock-instructional-part-1.html (http://bowyersdiary.blogspot.co.uk/2013/02/horn-nock-instructional-part-1.html)
Let me know if you think it needs additional info or editing.
Del
Title: Re: ELB Horn Nocks
Post by: toomanyknots on February 04, 2013, 04:41:31 pm
Awesome, it is so appreciated Del, you have no idea. It has never been the easiest thing for me, getting the nocks to fit just right. I tried your sanding tool, and anymore, for me, something like that is essential to get a good fit. I tried to make a sanding tool, but it didn't work that great. I tried one where I drilled the hole in a block of wood, cut with a saw right down the middle of the hole, and shoved a piece of sand paper in the cut. It worked ok, but what I have been doing lately is get it as close as possible with the file side of my farriers rasp, and then shove a corner of sandpaper in the actual drilled horn, just to finish it off and get it perfect. Sometimes I will fold over a bit of the paper, and tape it down with masking tape, to help hold it in there. How do you finish your nocks? What I do with horn, is sand to 2500 grit, then take some baking soda and get it just a bit wet, until it is a hard paste, and take a piece of cotton and polish it with the baking soda. It actually is a pretty good polish, and leaves a pretty nice shine. Although it is probably not near as effective as those smelly polishing compounds you can buy. Then I will just wipe it down very lightly with some beeswax, using a piece of cheese cloth.
Title: Re: ELB Horn Nocks
Post by: Del the cat on February 04, 2013, 05:03:24 pm
Part 2 of the blog shows the polishing. 120, 240 then a buffing wheel.
http://bowyersdiary.blogspot.co.uk/2013/02/horn-nock-instructional-part2.html (http://bowyersdiary.blogspot.co.uk/2013/02/horn-nock-instructional-part2.html)
Cheers, glad you find it useful.
Yeah, I know what you mean about the tool, it helps, but still doesn't get get you all the way there, it still needs some fiddling around. The tool just helps show where it's tight, it won't do all the work for you.
No substitute for patience! >:(
Del
Title: Re: ELB Horn Nocks
Post by: k-hat on February 04, 2013, 06:21:09 pm
Awesome Del, thanks for sharing your knowledge and skills.  When i'm ready for full-on horn nocks, I know where to go for the how-to 8)
Title: Re: ELB Horn Nocks
Post by: JW_Halverson on February 04, 2013, 09:52:26 pm
Very helpful, Mr. the Cat.  The little tip about the bootlace was worth the price of admission.
Title: Re: ELB Horn Nocks
Post by: dbb on February 05, 2013, 03:14:56 pm
Many smart solutions there,thanks a lot.
Title: Re: ELB Horn Nocks
Post by: RyanY on February 05, 2013, 03:22:59 pm
Thanks for doing this. I know I'll eventually be making some of these and I really like the way you do yours.
Title: Re: ELB Horn Nocks
Post by: Del the cat on February 05, 2013, 03:54:19 pm
Thanks for doing this. I know I'll eventually be making some of these and I really like the way you do yours.
Cheer Ryan...
BTW. I love your weird cable backed asymetric bow , great organic look to it, very sculptural.
No one has taken the bait and asked me what you do get if you cross an Elephant and a Rhino though :'(
Del
Title: Re: ELB Horn Nocks
Post by: jpitts on February 05, 2013, 11:47:50 pm
Hi Del, Thanks for putting this online. I want to eventually start making ELB's. Great tips. I'll let someone else bite on your question...LOL's   bit that one long ago  :-)
Title: Re: ELB Horn Nocks
Post by: Arrowind on February 05, 2013, 11:57:30 pm
Hey Del,

Thanks for sharing this.  Awesome!

Title: Re: ELB Horn Nocks
Post by: toomanyknots on February 06, 2013, 02:04:32 am
Thanks for doing this. I know I'll eventually be making some of these and I really like the way you do yours.
Cheer Ryan...
BTW. I love your weird cable backed asymetric bow , great organic look to it, very sculptural.
No one has taken the bait and asked me what you do get if you cross an Elephant and a Rhino though :'(
Del

...Ok, what do you get?  :)

Edit: Also, picked up a buffing wheel for my hand drill today after watching your videos. Man do I feel stupid sanding all the way to 2500. It is much faster, with much better results, for like 10 bucks. Thank you again.
Title: Re: ELB Horn Nocks
Post by: Del the cat on February 06, 2013, 04:17:00 am
Thanks for doing this. I know I'll eventually be making some of these and I really like the way you do yours.
Cheer Ryan...
BTW. I love your weird cable backed asymetric bow , great organic look to it, very sculptural.
No one has taken the bait and asked me what you do get if you cross an Elephant and a Rhino though :'(
Del

...Ok, what do you get?  :)

Edit: Also, picked up a buffing wheel for my hand drill today after watching your videos. Man do I feel stupid sanding all the way to 2500. It is much faster, with much better results, for like 10 bucks. Thank you again.

What do you get?
'ell-if-I-know    >:D
Del
PS, you might have to shop around for poloishing compound in sensible small quantities. In the UK I got 1/2 a bar of each compound and the buffing wheels from Highland Horn. I almost made the mistake of only buying one wheel, but the guy explained you need a separate wheel for each.
Title: Re: ELB Horn Nocks
Post by: toomanyknots on February 06, 2013, 09:31:08 am
Thanks for doing this. I know I'll eventually be making some of these and I really like the way you do yours.
Cheer Ryan...
BTW. I love your weird cable backed asymetric bow , great organic look to it, very sculptural.
No one has taken the bait and asked me what you do get if you cross an Elephant and a Rhino though :'(
Del

...Ok, what do you get?  :)

Edit: Also, picked up a buffing wheel for my hand drill today after watching your videos. Man do I feel stupid sanding all the way to 2500. It is much faster, with much better results, for like 10 bucks. Thank you again.

What do you get?
'ell-if-I-know    >:D
Del


Awesome.