What all do you need to build a bow?

[DanielB89]

What all wood materials do you need to build a 1 piece glass backed bow in the #55@28" range?

If one is just going to use the lower end woods,
how much do you think all of that will cost?  (ball park figure)

[KenH]

For just one bow, you can spend hundreds of dollars on a fancy air-pressure form, and an electric bow oven.  Not to mention hundreds more on fancy tools.

Or you can build a simple flatbow like the one pictured below for the cost of a straight length of 2x2 or 2x4, a couple 1/4" dowels and a free, used bicycle innertube.

It's a 56", 54# bendy handle flatbow.  Actually in that build I didn't even use dowels and rubber bands.  I used a roll of nylon stranded strapping tape spiral wrapped around the glue-up and the 2x2 form to hold things in position while the glue dried.

For tools I used a hand-held beltsander, a saber saw, a round file, and assorted sandpaper and sanding blocks.

In either case the wood and glass, going simple and inexpensive is going to cost around $18 for the two pieces of glass, about $30 for the 2-3 wood lams you'll need, and $18 for the pint kit of Smooth-On epoxy.  Plus assorted sandpaper  and hand tools.  

The one below I built a bit cheaper, as I already had a nice length of 3/16" thick straight grain pine laying about.  I bought two pieces of .040 glass and a .070 Red Elm riser, and epoxy.  The straight 2x2 cot me, I think, $4 from Home Despot.

     

If you'd like more details, PM me.

[ColonelSandersLite]

You can also make a simple longbow for around $30-$50, depending on what tools you already have and such.  Bare minimum required would be a good piece of wood, a coping saw, a 4 way rasp, good rope, some sort of finish, some method of applying the finish, and some scrap 2"x4"s.  Personally I don't think I'd want to sit there with a 4 way rasp and carve a bow though. I would also recommend a plane, a medium-large halfround file, a medium-large halfround rasp, a small chainsaw file, a small pulley, a hook to attach the pulley to, and sandpaper as a starter kit.  Some sort of backing would be a definite plus to have if you're going to go with a board bow as well.  Even something as simple as a couple layers of drywall tape adheared with titebond 3.

I know it's not what you asked exactly, but if budget is a priority and you want to get into bow making, it's something to keep in mind.  I'm hopeful that someone more knowledgeable about glass backings and recurves will come along and give you a better answer though.

Even if you can't do exactly what you want on your budget just now, you may find it worthwhile to start making bows that are more accessible in that sense.  A good portion of the tools and skills learned will carry over towards making the bows you really want in the future.

[Wolftrail]

What makes it tough for me is I use the garage where my wife parks every nite.  So no space for a table saw, drill press or band saw.  I have a finishing sander and made an 8" disc sander that I can chuck into my 3/8. drill which only cost $20.00.  I can still cut lams using my skill saw and saw horses.  This year I'll get an electric hand planer and or a belt sander that will speed things up.

[Buemaker]

Good grief, do you really let your wife use the garage for parking the car?    
Good luck with your future bow making. Bue--.    

[Black Mockingbird]

All you need is a hatchet and access to a forest with hardwoods in it to harvest. And ya can't just make one and be done(glass or selfbows) because it just doesn't work that way.

[Wolftrail]

Originally posted by Buemaker:
Good grief, do you really let your wife use the garage for parking the car?        
Good luck with your future bow making. Bue--.      

I'm fine with that, the car is a major bill next to the house.  Over $25k.   Quite honestly I can still hoard tools in there it just makes it cramped.  But other than that the lighting is bad, no windows, no heat, I use a portable ceramic heater and the cieling is low, so having said that I need a dedicated shop......  

[Wagstaff]

Forget all the obstacles you envision for yourself.  Just start reading everything you can find on making glass bows, and DO IT.

Just don't go thinking its economical to build your first bow!  Its a rewarding and unique skill, you'll be proud of along the way.

Man Up and take back your garage, WOLF..!  lol

[goobersan]

you can order materials and shrink wrap a shootable bow with epoxy and a couple 2x4's. It can be as simple as you like. Like Pathfinder said, invest in some research.... build a bow

[Wolftrail]

"reading everything you can find on making glass bows, and DO IT."  ....I have read plenty.  Been hovering around these sites for over 3 years. Have built over 15 bows just not Glass.  And why build glass..?        Nothing wrong with all wood. I have built R/D bows, 3 piece bows etc...

[hightop_hunter]

2015 im going to attempt to make some bows in my apartment. im in between gigs right now so I have some time to spent on trying to make a glass bow with mostly hand tools. So reading this is really helpful. the more research that I did the more i realized that the guys that have big fancy shops are lucky and probably turn out a bow in record time, but that kind of equipment isn't necessary. Im gonna tackle mine with a Japanese wood saw a hand belt sander and some rasps.

[LittleBen]

Originally posted by Buemaker:
Good grief, do you really let your wife use the garage for parking the car?        
Good luck with your future bow making. Bue--.      

Hahahahaha!

[Wolftrail]

Some us build in Apartments and some us build in the  Garage. I also have a dedicated work area inside the house, so not complaining.