I saw a jig on one of the bow building video where the bowyer was using a metal clip with groves to file out the nocks. Has anyone here ever used anything like this to file out nocks?
No I have not seen that. What I do now and its very effective and quick. I first decide where I want the string nocks then I mark them with a pencil and lightly cut a line with the hack saw, then I use a fine rasp to make a shallow groove. I chuck a bit in my cordless drill and go for it. Quick and painless. :notworthy:
Its a no brainer......
Here's a link to a build along I did a while ago with a jig I use.
http://tradgang.com/noncgi/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=125;t=009131;p=2
Eric Krewson the "Gizmo" guy once posted a tip on filing nock grooves and I think crooked stic also does something similar. It looked like a good way to do it so I started doing my version of that way too..after gluing on tip overlays and shaping them I cut the groove into the back side of the tip overlays, then I string bow and using a pencil I mark the sides of overlay and limb sides..unstring bow and file between the marks..you still have to pay attention to the alignment of these grooves, go slow and look often. I only use a chainsaw file for cutting grooves. Then I round them with abrasive cord, then 320 sand paper around file to polish the grooves.
I just made this one out of some 3/8" Phenolic. Works really good.....
(http://i821.photobucket.com/albums/zz136/thadbow/0404F077-9A29-4DA3-9008-FAF415317BE2_zps7vnn9ker.jpg) (http://s821.photobucket.com/user/thadbow/media/0404F077-9A29-4DA3-9008-FAF415317BE2_zps7vnn9ker.jpg.html)
That looks like it would work nicely.
Thanks for the information guys!
Folks,
You have my curiosity up, what angle are you guys using? Are you just cutting the angle? Or More?
I have always just used my carpenters square at 45'. But I also cut both the 45' and the 90'. I don't know why, it is just what I have always done...
Another tip: Get yourself some Frost Bite chain saw files. They cut better and last longer than the ones designed for cutting string nocks. The ones I got off the big auction site were $15 for 12 files delivered.
Another tool I use is a tile saw blade in a hacksaw frame. These are a little smaller diameter than a normal chainsaw file and the frame makes it really easy to get your first cut accurate and it's a fair bit easier than filing all the way. If you do drift off a little then it's small enough that you have a little 'play' room. If you've got your cut straight then it's a doddle to enlarge it with chainsaw files.
I really like the Stihl chainsaw files. Very good quality.