I've been avid bowyer since I was 14 or so yet I confess I've only made one bow in the past few years due to work and college. I know there are many ways to carve a bow. I'm open minded on tools , tips, and tricks to carving your weapons of choice. show us the tools you use to make your selfbows and the finished product(s)!

My site had=s tools and tips. Here is my last bow (hickory 45# at 25"). Jawge

I don't have a picture handy but I'd say my essentials include a Japanese saw rasp, cabinet scraper, and a chainsaw file. Other than sandpaper, I don't use much else.

here's some of the normal tools I use...

and a few of the not-so-normal tools I use... LOL.

I need a good coping saw...

Just a hatchet and a froe to split staves staves.A draw knife various spoke shaves and a flap disc on an angle grinder .Scrapers and sand paper.You could just do it all with a hatchet and knife really. OSR

I use a band saw to get the bow very near final shape. (I enjoy shooting, and only make bows so I can shoot them.) I tiller them with rasps, scraper and belt sander. Finish with sandpaper.

I used to cut firewood to heat my house. It was rewarding to get the woodshed full, but only a means to an end. So is bow making.

I don't understand those who seem to make a religious experience out of each shaving.

Yes Jim I am the same when it comes to power tools. If my goal is build a bow I get at It with the easiest tools I have. I just so happen to have the power tools so why not use them. It does not make you a better bowyer no matter what the tools you use. End placement of mass is what makes a bowyer better.IMO. Arvin

Beginners like me can't be trusted with too many power tools. I will definitely use more in the future (I am sore now) but you really do gain an understanding of the wood grain by working it by hand.

Yesterday I used a large heavy knife to scrape down the belly of this stave

There's nothing wrong with using power tools. I use a belt sander a lot.

But there are those who do not want to. That's fine.

That being said, in my view, beginners should not until they've mad a half dozen or so bows because you can't put wood back and they remove wood to quickly.

Jawge

In order of use:

Eyes Brain Tape measure Chainsaw Axe Sledge Wedges Paintbrush and shellac Bandsaw bench vise Drawknife Scraper Carving tools Weighted string Pencil Ferret's Floppy Bowyer's Rule Bandsaw Rasps round rasp for nocks Tillering string Tillering tree scraper files sandpaper paintbrush spray poly utility knife leather contact adhesive

John... where's your farrier's rasp? :) I know that's what you use for fine tillering at 2am... LOL. Bob

Ok here is the whole shop.

Out side

Just putting the finishing touches on these! Bob W.

Better pic, my camera stinks.

There is also a 14 Delta Bandsaw and 2 sanders in the garage and my trusty hatchet when the mood strikes.

There is also a 14 Delta Bandsaw and 2 sanders in the garage and my trusty hatchet when the mood strikes.

Similar to most others I think. I included the spokeshave, though I rarely use it.

My list is similar to those above but includes a microwave oven with holes cut in the front and back for heat-bending staves, a palm sander, and a curved carving gouge for working hollows.

I've also found it less painful to remove sapwood by cutting thru it across the bark every 10 inches or so and popping off the pieces much like we do to split off staves from the belly of large staves.

And since I often have extra epoxy in the cup while glassing a rowboat I'm building, I now have an epoxy-coated shavehorse, too. With treated lumber that sucker will never die!

Bob those are some nice bows. Arvin

Wow Buz! Does the microwave thing really work? That's a new one on me:-)))

Hand tools;

Serious tools;

Yep, mikeywave works good. Sent ya a PM.

I neglected to mention that my cuts thru the bark and sapwood are done with a Poulan.

Also, I forgot to mention my Gizmo! That thing's awesome!

ttt

Arvin, please explain " End placement of mass". Not heard that phrase. Thanks

Self bows I use the same basic hand tools the other guys have posted, laminated bows I use a lot more power tools. I am retired so I really need the exercise. Draw knifing staves and splitting wood is good exercise. I really enjoy bow making but can't afford all the staves I go through so I am always looking for ways to slow down the process. Slowing down just for the sake of slowing down is boring so the challenge is finding things that will improve the process but take longer, or if not improving the process at least provide good exercise.

Awesome! I haven't started yet, but I am acquiring needed tools! You guys are all inspiration!

I use most of the same tools, I also use a couple of different size hand planes for removing a lot in a short time usually on the edges of the limbs.

Various size cabinet scrapers, a pair of scissors taken apart and used as a scraper, A big file like bowholic shows in his first picture at the bottom.

sanding blocks, various types of files, a tillering station, vise and a good table.

this next stuff not really needed. 18" band saw, not used too much, 10" table saw for cutting precision parts and a planer.

I will try to get a photo when the water resides a little so I can get to my bow work shop.

Chance.. I made a splitting fro from an old corn knife blade. Not having many power tools I use it quite a bit..

Chris

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