Bow Building Tools

Flyboy718 · December 25, 2012, 05:22:00 PM

Got a $100 gift card to harbor freight today...what would you get from there as far as bow building tools? I already have: sureform rasp, 4-way rasp and a draw knife.

LESKEN2011 · December 25, 2012, 06:10:00 PM

The belt sander is my most-used tool followed closely by my band saw. I use the table saw a good bit too. I think you can get a belt sander for less than $100 there.

bamboo · December 25, 2012, 06:50:00 PM

sander--and lots of clamps!!!

David Flanrey · December 25, 2012, 07:39:00 PM

Dito on the clamps. How about some sanding blocks and sandpaper.

scrub-buster · December 25, 2012, 07:46:00 PM

and a heat gun

SwampEagle · December 25, 2012, 07:48:00 PM

Too bad it isn't a Home Depot card. (Grin) You could have thrown another $100.00 down with it and got the a Rigid Oscillating Spindle / Belt sander. I am on my second one. I literally wore out my first one, I used it so much.

My advice, use that HF card for anything but a belt / spindle sander and wait til you have the money for a Rigid OSS. Anything else is just a 'pretender to the throne', for my money.

Seriously though, in no particular order

1. Clamps (You can never have enough.)
2. Rat tail files
3. Bench vise
4. Drill press vise (if you have a drill press)
5. Jig saw and various blades
6. Palm sander (I like the random orbital variety)
7. Analog or digital caliper for measuring limb thicknesses, accurately and quickly.
8. Sanding drum set (use them in a drill press or hand drill)

I haven't even built my first bow but I have been preparing for several months and I can already see which of my tools I will not be able to live without.

Hope that helps.

Take care,
Matt

Flyboy718 · December 25, 2012, 07:49:00 PM

I have a heat gun and several clamps...could probably use a few more. What size belt sander?
I have a caliper too and a jig saw. Thinking I need to go with the bench clamp

George Tsoukalas · December 25, 2012, 08:35:00 PM

All you need is hand axe or hatchet and a scraper and you are good to go!
http://georgeandjoni.home.comcast.net/~georgeandjoni/index.html

Flyboy718 · December 25, 2012, 09:52:00 PM

How about this for a beginning sander?

http://www.harborfreight.com/3-inch-x-21-inch-belt-sander-90045.html

And this vise?
http://www.harborfreight.com/clearance/10-inch-woodworking-vise-42494.html

scrub-buster · December 25, 2012, 11:51:00 PM

I would pass on both of those. A benchtop sander works better. The 4" swivel vise might work better also.

PEARL DRUMS · December 26, 2012, 06:55:00 AM

Ferriers rasp or a good vice.

Flyboy718 · December 27, 2012, 08:47:00 PM

What are the main tools for builing laminated bows...good sander and a band saw?

DavidV · December 27, 2012, 10:16:00 PM

1. Clamps
2. Rotary Tool (with attachements)
3. Set of Rasps

John Scifres · December 28, 2012, 04:27:00 PM

Don't buy the cheapie Quick Grip copies from Harbor Freight. they are junk. Stick with the metal c-clamps. They have them on sale often and you can really get a bunch of them. They are Chinese and they don't swivel well without some work but they aren't aweful.

SwampEagle · December 28, 2012, 09:56:00 PM

QuoteOriginally posted by John Scifres:
Don't buy the cheapie Quick Grip copies from Harbor Freight. they are junk. Stick with the metal c-clamps. They have them on sale often and you can really get a bunch of them. They are Chinese and they don't swivel well without some work but they aren't aweful.

Agreed. Woodcraft and Rockler have sales from time to time too. You don't have to buy the best but I always live by the saying 'You can buy a quality tool and maybe cuss once or buy the cheapest and cuss often.'

Take care,
Matt