Sand paper tillering.

[NOMADIC PIRATE]

lately I've being tillering using sand paper a lot, 60 and 100 grit.

There's lot of things that I like about using this method.

first of all it makes you go slow, and this is always good when tillering, ...well maybe not for the super bowyers, but it's good for me

I've gone from the rasp than clean up with scraper, to scraper than clean up with paper, it's great you can see exactly where you're scraping if you sand it after every scraping session.

using sand paper a lot, cupping it in your hands it's easy to shape the rails ( sorry surboard talk ) I ment the corners, and using a lot the sand paper makes it really hard to get hinges or flat spots. I like the feeling of shaping with the hand rather than with a hard tool, after all the human hand is still the most flexible tool ever, unmatched so far

[El Destructo]

lately I've being tillering using sand paper a lot, 60 and 100 grit.
There's lot of things that I like about using this method.
 I like the feeling of shaping with the hand rather than with a hard tool, after all the human hand is still the most flexible tool ever, unmatched so far

And the most sensitive....just close your eyes and touch something.....you know what it is without seeing it....you can do everything but taste with them....your finger tips can feel any imperfections in your work.....when your eyes will deceive you

[uwe]

I do it too. But sometimes it doesn`t make efforts because the material is still too thick. Than I`m going to change for the knife. But this is not so good, because small gridparts are enclosed to the wood and they make the tool dump.
A good reason you told already: if using "highspeed- tools", you quickly turn the mans bow into a childs toy.
Regards Uwe

[NOMADIC PIRATE]

uwe, what do you mean by "making the tool dump" ?

[recurve shooter]

i think he means dumping the tools.

but i need to start tillerin with that stuff. i always take to much off.

[nugget]

I use the sand paper tillering method especially when working Cedar. It is so soft most files and blades will get you in trouble real quick

[medicinewheel]

...and they make the tool dump.
...

uwe, do you mean 'jump' for 'creating a washboard surface' ??

[Rich Saffold]

I used sandpaper all the time, and sometimes combine with a scraper which can remove minutes amounts of wood at the same pace as the paper I am using...

Sandpaper is good for dealing with any "washboard"  too

[recurve shooter]

oops. i just actually read where he said make the tool dump. i think that he means the washboard surface.

[JackCrafty]

After lots of experimenting, sandpaper is my favorite tillering tool.

[recurve shooter]

jackcrafty, i like your lil saying on the bottom of the post thing.

"any critter tastes good with enough butter on it."

i think im gonna start saying that.

[NOMADIC PIRATE]

That's rigth, by using sandpaper often, you'll never get the washboard effect

[JackCrafty]

Recurve Shooter, thanks.  I've used that line at restaurants...and with the wife and kids (when they give me that look).   

[Jesse]

Sand paper is great for tillering. Especially when its attached to a sander

[radius]

I agree with Jesse...i often use a ridgid edgebelt sander to hit the sides and bring my bows to the shape i have drawn...and then a portercable orbital sander to tiller.  Very awesome combo. 

What?  Were you talking about sandpaper on a stick?