Been think'n about building my own bow for years but just dont have the cash flow for a garage full of power tools.

What would be the must have power tools needed & what can I substitute with hand tools & still build a good usable bow ?

Johnny,  need a little more info.
What type of bow
Glass, self ?

a sense of humour, some humility, tons of patience- a good stock of beer, oh and a rasp, some scrapers, maybe a spokeshave and borrow a bandsaw-but not imperative.

MacBow: never had a long bow so I wouldnt rule it out but alway loved my TD bows, as far as glass VS wood think'n just wood for now but defanitely want to learn glass.

Fujimo: Thanks for the warning, figured a saw would be mandatory, mite can use a rasp instead of a buy'n a sander for now, aint noth'n like elbow grease to get things done.

rasp, course file, draw knife, chain saw file and some scrapers. You also need a vise or some other contraption to hold your stave while you turn it into a bow.

 

eric is the man to listen to- old time bowyer-
i like to use the nicholson rasps- #49 or #50 dean torges sells a nice rasp- that has place for a front handle. then i have a cabinetmakers rasp- just a finer rasp.
i have a fistful of drawknives- but i sure like to use a spokeshave- just personal i geuss.- even the $20 kind from the box stores is good- blades not the best- but they will get the job done. or if you have the dough then get a
http://www.lie-nielsen.com/catalog.php?cat=514
chainsaw file- really important!!!

The rasp on the left in the picture is a Nicholson #49, US made. I have heard that Nicholson moved their operation from the US to Brazil and the quality of their 49 and 50 pattern makers rasps aren't up to par anymore.

tangibles: PENCIL, METER STICK, rasp, file, plane, coping saw, sureform rasp(s), draw knife, work gloves are not a bad idea unless your hands are already leather. All available from box store. Check antique shops for draw knives, they can be had in good condition for $10-20.

intangibles: patience, spousal patience, likeness for blisters.

You'll see the tools I use on my site. Jawge
http://georgeandjoni.home.comcast.net/~georgeandjoni/index.html

Thanks for the input gents, used to be a older fellow that had a store full of old tools, figuerd a draw knife & rasp could be found ther but found out last weekend he's closed up shop due to health reasons, hated to hear it, always enjoyed talk'n with him.

I suppose the USA made Nicholson #49-50 can be found on flea bay ??

Yeah, the price went up on the rasps too. I'm glad I got mine 10 years ago. Suddenly the UBR rasp from Dean seems like a bargain! I also like using a farrier's rasp for many tasks. You can usually get one for under $20 bucks at a farm supply type store.

You will find that, over time, you'll end up with a shop full of tools like many of us do. It's an illness that has no cure.