Tools for bow building

[Dannon]

I purchased a template from KennyM several months back and have had my form ready for a while now. I still have to start getting my tools. If you were starting out what would your first tool be. Sander, band saw, drill press with sanding drums? Just looking for some insight. Fixing to cash in on some Sears gift cards.\\
Thanks,
Dannon

[fujimo]

normally i build all wooden bows, and my list of tools there would be a quite different, but i am just finishing up my third glass bow, and if i had to only have one tool, it would be the rigid oscillating belt/spindle sander
 http://www.homedepot.ca/product/oscillating-edge-belt-spindle-sander/940118  
i think you guys can get it cheaper down south. .
but i currently use a a designated spindle sander, and a 4" by 36" belt/disc sander. and you probably could get both tools together for the same price as the rigid sander!!! neither are very expensive , or super high quality- but work fine, and as they expire, i will build a larger edge belt sander- with two different size rollers on the ends- to handle different radii, and then a  large disc sander- maybe 12" or so, both with a skookum motors on them, so they dont lug down.- have started collecting parts for them already

[LittleBen]

I agree with Wayne, Belt sander is pretty useful. I don't have a spindle sander, but I often wish I did ...

[snapper1d]

I have one of the rigid oscillating belt/spindle sanders and back when I sold bows and bow blanks I sold thousands of them using it.I used the belt a lot more than the spindle but it came in handy also.

[LittleBen]

You guys are killing me talking about that mini edge sander spindle sander combo ... I'm gonna have to buy one now ... damnit.

[snapper1d]

LittleBen buy the blue belts and buy some of the belt cleaner sticks from Grizzly Industrial.

[gene atkinson]

I just started building bows , im on my third one . My wife told me to spend the money and get a good bandsaw ,I didn't listen being the tightwad that I am .I wish I did. And I got a cheap drill press with drum sanders, nothing wrong with the drums , but if the base cant get at a 90 degree with your drum it will cause you a lot more grief than its worth. I have a skil drill press and band saw, if had it to do over I would have spent a few extra bucks  
Im glad you guys brought up that Rigid , because thats what I have been eyeballing and was going to ask about that today myself.

[bigbob2]

'cause I cut my own lams etc, I can't go past a bandsaw as the primary choice.I do have a 12'' disc sander and a oscillating spindle sander which make life a lot easier but would be lost without the band saw.

[LittleBen]

Bob, I have no table saw or bandsaw so to make a set of Ipe lams once I ripped a 36" board by hand, then used a planer to rough thickness and then a drum sander to get to final thickness/taper ... I was sore to say the least. Bandsaw is critical. Now I just beg canopyboy to cut lams on his table saw to near thickness and grind them later at home to thickness/taper

[fujimo]

what lam grinder do you have Ben?