SANDING

[Roy Steele]

I'm builting a osage bow for someome and he wants it sanded down to 1000 grit.I made quite a few bows and do sand down to 400.Who else sands down to 1000 grit.Is there any advanges to this.  :confused:

[George Tsoukalas]

You're making the bow, Roy. I don't see any advantages to it but if a couple of swipes keeps him happy why not. LOL. Looking at the stave in the sun really shows the nicks.  I remove nicks with rasp, knife and scraper. Then, I sand with 100 and 220. I go out and shoot it and check tiller. Then, I dampen the grain with a moist paper towel. Let dry and resand. I continue until no more grain is raised. Then I sand with 400 and 600 grit. I give the osage 3 coats of Tru Oil which seals the pores nicely. Then 3 coats of spar urethane for a practically impervious, get caught in the rain. water proofing and I'm set. I'm reminded of a friend who asked me to help him make a bow. He wanted a center shot osage bow. I told him he could get someone else to show him bow making. I don't do that for personal reasons. He went with me. You can't beat the price. LOL. He bought me an osage stave. As he was leaving he said, "Wow! That was great! I (meaning he) got the best of this deal." This is my hobby and so there is no charge. You may have to make the customer happy, Roy. I don't have any customers.    Jawge

[Pat B]

I build bows the way I build bows. I sand them as much as I think they need sanding, and incidentally most of my bows have tool marks on them. If someone wants one of my bows they will take it(or buy it) as it is when I'm done. I don't sell many bows but this is not my livelihood and I don't want it to be. I have never had anyone turn one down though.

[Roy Steele]

I sand my bows compleatly no tool marks.And I only build bows as a hobby also.I only build a couple of year.Me or friends.And this is not for money but trade.I found out a long time ago building bows for a living takes up to much of my hunting time.But word of mouth is a strong ad.
  And I'm going to sand it to 1000 for him.But again is there any advange other than looks is all I asking.THANKS

[tah-gah-jute]

i usually only go down to 220,then take a shop towel and keep rubbing it with a little bit of pressure.after a while seems as smooth as glass.will use 320 between finish coats.

[George Tsoukalas]

No advantage and I'm anal about not having tool marks on my bows.    Jawge