I'm looking for lower priced tools for bow building. I picked up 3 planes (sp?) today for 30 they were all used and older. I guess the big things I'm looking for know are draw knives and any other tools I might need. I will be ordering some books soon but I don't know what else I need.

So any cheap tool options out there??

antique stores or flea markets are a great place to find draw knives- around here the run 10-15 bucks- just make sure the handles are sound

look in the classifieds. check garage sales and flea markets like eagle said. antique stores near me didnt know what i was talking about.

we need more info to recommend you better tools.

some rasps and sureform are always recommended.

its all up to you. spokeshaves , shinto rasps , things like that are kind of specialized , where some people just use an axe and a cabinet scraper...


what kind of bows yoou lookin to make/


-hov

I got some osage for the first few attempts and maybe oak after that. I have 4 (i think) 2"x2"x60" so I have a back ups for when I mess up.

I picked up a file set at lowes for 30 bucks if I remember correctly.  It came with 8-10 big files/rasps and 12-15 small needle files.  It works for me.  They are not Nicholson brand but do the job.  


EDIT:  I just checked and it was the task force brand.

You can check with a ferrier for a cheap, good rasp.  A scraper can be improvised out of many things.  

I'm a sucker for tools, must have at least 10 drawknives.  Old ones are best.

Willrett, a farm/ranch store will have farrier rasps at a reasonable rate. They are great for taking wood off in a hurry. The antiques tip is right on for drawknives. I built a shaving horse for about $34. If you can corner a bench vise you'll do yourself a favor.
Stan

i have been thinking more and more of how im going to make my workbench , and im thinking of doing a bench that is pictured below. its just a crude drawing , and the bench base would be half of a fallen tree , with slabs around 3" thick cut from farther down the tree so they overlap the base a bit.  slots would be chiseled in the base , and pegs would be inserted into the slabs so they could be slid open or closed and locked into place.

the lock is part that i drew up for just a bench , which i was going to use bench dogs , etc on. the lock piece can be extended upwards and i will be putting a dumbhead on it , and i might have to re-work the shape/size of the cam to be adjustable in a 6" range. im sure a 2x6 ought to be plenty strong enough , and cheap enough , that i could easily swap out locks for different thicknesses.





its kind of like a shaving horse adapted to bench height. im 6'2" tall , so my benchtop is figured at 40" from ground. theres no measurments cause i dont roll like that. obviously with 30"+ legs some stabilization would be required.

im hoping the fallen tree isnt rotten , and i can use my in-laws chain saw.im also hoping it hasnt been cut down to firewood yet.


as or cheap tools , i have been very lucky and have had several rasps , a scraper , a drawknife , and a multitude of other things given by generous members. i have bought a couple other rasps that i dont really even use (4n1 , etc() , and some chainsaw files.


a harbor freight dremel is on the list to trim feathers. a razor blade works , but one slip , and the feather is shot.


-hov

When you are ready for power tools, check your local craigslist.com site.  I have got some great deals on bandsaws, a beltsander, a drillpress, and more.

E-baay has good drawknives pretty cheap.  Make sure it's not really rusty or it will be hard to sharpen.  Antique malls and auctions are good bets.

One good medium rasp, draw knife and scraper will build lots and lots of bows. Sand paper is always good to have too. I suggest spending a few bucks on the good hand tools now. You will wish you had when the time comes to remove a fair amount of harder wood, or your cheap rasps dull down after two bows.......trust me..  

One more thing. Good hand tools are like eye glasses..........you dont know how bad they are until you use good ones.