Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Paul F on April 19, 2013, 10:33:05 pm
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So, unless I am just not that good at searching the forum (this is most likely the case), what would you all reccomend for someone to have as a good basic set of tools to start bow making.
1. Drawknife or Surform
2. Farrier's Rasp
3. #49 and #50
4. Chain saw file (what size for nocks)
Any suggestions? Thank you very much in advance.
Paul F.
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cabinet scraper ;)
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5. scraper, flat and rounded
6. Vise
7. B-50, FF, or similar bow string material
7. superglue
8. A bunch of clamps.
From what I have read and heard, the newer #49 and #50 are foreign made and not near the quality of the older American files. You might be better off with a shinto or other quality rasp/file.
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A vice you don't absolutely NEED but it makes work so much easier. A rasp is probably my best tool I have for bow making you can make a whole bow with just a rasp. A draw knife is good to have for chasing rings and roughing out. Sand paper to make your bow beautiful. Clamps are good but all of mine are broken and I survive with out them. Hatchet works good for removing wood quickly when your just starting a bow
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a good hatchet, I have pretty much completely quit using a drawknife for roughing out bow blanks because a hatchet is way faster and easier for me
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When I started building bows seriously, all I had was my basic woodworking tools and some carpentry tools. I've never gone out and bought a "special" tool for making bows.
Chain saw
Circular saw (I use this mainly for cutting ipe boards)
Crosscut saw
Heat gun
Hatchet
Small sledge hammer (for aiding in splitting logs/staves)
Disc Sander
Belt Sander
Orbital sander
Sandpaper
Pocket knife
Wood files and rasps
Clamps
Band Saw (I bought this to simplify my shop - it does almost ANYTHING) ;D
Or you can buy specialized hand tools like the ones mentioned. It's up to you.
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All it takes to make a bow is ONE 7 inch long knife with a decent heft, and best design I have seen is a drop point. I have made many with just my marine survival K-bar knife. Start to finish, including cutting the tree down. I am building a knife that is better than my current one, but its hard to beet a K-Bar. Last bow I made with just a knife is posted here...
http://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/index.php/topic,37163.0.html
Primitive archery is supposed to be simple, basic, effective, and fun. Get overly complicated with the tools makes the build less fun, and ruins the best part. Sometimes, a knife and a piece of wood is as good as a fishin rod and a little creak on a hot day.
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You're gonna need a broom
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A carpenters pensil tucked behind Your ear, for marking and using as a straight edge when tillering. Bob
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Spokeshave,
Length of string (tie a feather on one end for an exciting toy ;D :-[),
Masking tape,
More masking tape... for holding the string onto a stave for getting a centre line and 101 other uses.
Del
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The most important tool in my box is a dreadnaught file. Its basically a car bodywork file but it works so well on wood and horn that I use it for everything. I rough out with a hatchet, then drawknife, then dreadnaught file right up to final tiller. I've made a couple of bows using nothing else! They go through knots like butter as well.
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Skip that shurform, they stink bad IMO. Grab a scraper rather. Odds are you will have to make one or trade for one made from thicker steel. I havent seen a place to buy .060" an up scrapers. The rest of your list is all you need, skip the Nicholson 50 for now. Your 49 and a scraper will do, unless money isnt an issue. I assume the obvious pencil, tape measure and sandpaper are covered.
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A tillering gizmo......
http://tradgang.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=125;t=001047
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You'll see pics of tools on my we site.
http://georgeandjoni.home.comcast.net/~georgeandjoni/index.html
Here's my list.
2 wedges
hatchet
3 lb sledge
drawknife
Swedish push knife
shave hooks
ruler
pencil
rope and pulley
4 in 1 rasp
Surform
Optional-stationary belt sander, radial arm saw or crosscut saw
Jawge
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Dang, I forgot to mention tape measure and pencil. Now where did I put the darn things... ? ;)
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Safety glasses,dust mask,leather gloves and paitence!
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Thank you all very much. This give's me some idea's about what I have and what I "think" I need LOL.
Paul F.
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A good rasp,
drawknife,
scraper
some line/cordage
tape measure/yardstick
hatchet
a pencil
superglue
and that's just about everything I ever use.
My first bow I actually build with one tool: a machete ;D
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If you are going to be working indoors you will need a good incandescent light.
David
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So is there a major difference between a Farrier's Rasp and a Nicholson #49? I can't seem to find any information as to which one to use for what? Thank you very much in advance.
Paul F.
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if you go somewhere that supplies farriers, they have a coarse and a smoother side, and you can get them as coarse or fine as you want, most stores like tractor supply only have one option
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Also, for the people that suggested a hatchet, Any make/model, length handle that you would reccomend or suggest? Thank you very much again for the reply's.
Paul F.
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Been a lot of hatchet threads over the years. Heres one:
http://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/index.php/topic,4199.msg58307.html#msg58307
Gabe
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Thank you very much.
Paul F.
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Cab scrapers are great tools. I am always surprised how better my cab scraper works when its sharp. ::)