Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Calamitus on October 12, 2012, 10:25:09 am
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I have been reading this board for some time now, left for awhile and am now back, interested in actually making a bow or two for serious. I would like to know the minimum tools necessary for board bows and for staves (probably hickory as there's a ton of it around). I have no power tools and wonder if a bench and vise is necessary as I don't have those either. I know and have read what tools are commonly used, but I have a tight budget and need to know the minimum I can get by with. I have a good bit of experience working with wood in construction and millwork and working with various tools comes naturally to me. I want to eventually make some pretty recurve bows but want to start with stiff handle board bows just to start throwing wood down range in a fairly short amount of time. Thanks.
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I would get a farriers rasp (New or maybe one from a local farrier), a draw knife (I found one at a thrift/antique store) and some sand paper. A couple of clamps can become a vise and any solid table, picnic table, etc can be your bench. Bows have been made with an axe and a knife, even stone tools but not by me. I started with the above and with staves. I have not built a board bow.
Good luck
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The minimum tool requirement is Knowledge !
Throw in some elbow grease and sweat and it is amazing what can be done !
After that there are a variety of ways to get the job done!
Maybe let us know what you have or what kind of tools you think might be possible to get a hold of .
A hatchet will do allot but not the best for boards !
Have fun
Guy
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I plan on looking for a draw knife, maybe a spokeshave as well?, a rasp (or two) of some sort, cabinet scraper, chainsaw file. I know I will need several clamps, more if I plan to do any amount of gluing.
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Spokeshaves have never worked well for me in bow making.
A cheap alternative is a half pair of scissors for a scraper. I use an accusharp scissors sharpener to roll a hook on the cutting edge for fast wood removal.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v181/ekrewson/bow%20making/buzzyscraper2-1.jpg)
Here is a basic selfbow making tool kit, about all you will need. The collection consists of an aggressive rasp, a course file, a chainsaw file for nocks, drawknife, and a couple of cabinet scrapers. You can use anything for a scraper, cabinet scrapers, pocket knife, kitchen knife or perhaps the scissors I mentioned above.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v181/ekrewson/bow%20making/100_0861.jpg)
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I’ll second the farrier’s rasp. (Removes a lot of wood fast).
4 in 1 rasp need the curved rasp for fades and handle.
Vice or clamps
Cabinet scraper
Chain saw file
Sand Paper
The draw knife is a learned skill (I haven’t) and is not needed for a board bow.
Keith
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for me, some kind of scrapper is imperative! i really think that without one you will have a MUCH harder time. I also agree on the rasps, i use a surform rasp and boy let me tell you, it takes off wood great for an easy fast way to remove wood! i would say its good for shaping the bow. Sandpaper and 0000 grit steel wool is important too, for board bows, since its not one ring, i sand the back until its smooth, then i use the steel wool. the reason for taking that step BEFORE the tillering is to avoid breakages because of a lifting splinter. if you back it that would solve your problem too. For me a band saw makes the profile really easy to make, so if you have one, GREAT! but if not, dont worry about it. I also think a rattail rasp is important too. you will probably want to make a tillering tree as well to help you see the limbs bending without pulling it yourself.
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The first 4 or 5 bows i made, the only tools i had were a hatchet, old bowie knife, four way rasp, and a chiansaw file for knocks. I bought the four way rasp to make bows with. Everything else i already had. I used bowie knife to chase rings on osage. Hatchet and bowie to rough out to floor tiller. Four way rasp and bowie used as a scraper to tiller with. Did all the work without a vise, usualy sitting on front porch steps with the stave across my lap. Had to hold the end of th stave between my outstretched feet while chasing rings ( never have figured why i wasnt smart enough to use the vise out in the garage) . The point of this being if you want to make a bow bad enough, you probably can jump in using only what you already have, and expand your tool choices as you either want to or can afford to.
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Holy man, everyone uses so much tools. All I have is a makeshift drawknife, a rasp and a chainsaw file lol. My vice/clamp was a hole in the ground. My workbench was a rock.
An old chefs knife could function as a drawknife, just use leather as the other handle. With board bows I'm not sure if one is needed though.
I agree, the best tool is elbow grease, Native people just used rocks and sharp antler and stuff, they made beautiful bows.
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Dont buy cheap hand tools no matter the urge. They are junk and will wear your body out FAST. I use four tools myelf.
Nicholson Ferriers rasp
10" Shinto
homemade scraper
3/16 round rasp
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All you need is a good 7 inch long heavy knife. My first bows were cut down, built, and finished with my K-Bar. Works great! Only tool you NEED.
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Excellent lists guys. lol @sleek, Ok who can beat that minimalism? Anyone use their teeth? Eric, how does one roll a hook on scissors with that sharpener? I do want to make a tillering tree and one of those gizmos which looks to be a fantastic way of tillering. Anything I can make myself is good.
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Draw knife, belt sander, rasp and a sharp Green River knife. I was given a small set of files as a present that I shape the knocks and overlays with. Minimalist.
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There is info on my site. Jawge
http://georgeandjoni.home.comcast.net/~georgeandjoni/index.html
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A few passes with the acusharp sharpner and the hook will form, no effort needed.
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All you need for a board bow is a heavy rasp from lowes for 9 bucks and one 6 inch clamp for about 15 bucks. If you take your time then the rough out should take about a week or less depending on what design you make. By then you should have came up with more money and all you need is a pair of scissors and sand paper.
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Never made one with my teeth, but I did make one from a sapling a beaver had cut down and chewed all the bark off of. Does that count?
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Close enough sleek! Absolute minimum would be a sharp stone, don't you think?Everyone has favourite tools but essentially you need something to cut to length your tree/board. You can use edge tools ,like knives or chopping tools like hatchets or I suppose you could even file it off, but there is a reason saws were invented. I carry a 15 dollar pruning saw in the Jeep.you never know when a bow wants to be rescued from tree trimmers and wood chippers. The hatchet will get you going from there, but if you are moving straight onto boards, then a draw knife is likely your best non powertool bet. Learn to sharpen it and learn to use it. wielded properly ti can hog of pieces the size of your thumb or shavings thin enough you canread the newspaper through. Getting more refined closer to tiller requires a little more finesse . Abrasion gets the shape you need but leaves a rough surface. A good rasp will let you shape the contours around the handle and fades which can be cleaned up with sand paper. Neither of those have a very steep learning curve .I prefer to do all the final tillering with a card scraper,with the bow braced .$10 ,lasts forever.It takes some practice but when you get good with it ,it will be your go to tool.Once again you have to know how to sharpen it and do a little practice. I clean up most of the rasp marks with it too. Just saves time and sawdust. A bow scale isn't a must have ,but a dollar store luggage scale or the bathroom scale trick works.Most people tend to think their bow draws heavier than it is,and if you plan on hunting big game you have to make sure your bow is legal. Make youself a tillering stick.It will help tonnes.