I've got the'No bandsaw blues'

[Scott F]

I haven't made a bow in a couple of years, but I have the itch - bad.  My challenge is that I've always had access to a bandsaw but I am now stationed at MCB Quantico and there is not a woodshop on this base.  Cutting a riser block to fit my form is beginning to intimidate me.  I have made a few bows and have all other necessary tools at my disposal, just nothing that can shape a riser to my satisfaction.

The bow that I have in mind is a short D/R longbow with a significant amount of deflex in the riser.  It will be tough to shape by hand.

Questions:
- Is there a reasonable way to shape a riser block if you don't have access to a bandsaw?

- Better yet, is there anyone in the Northern Virginia area that would be willing to allow me to cut a riser block on their saw?  I'm not sure what the going rate is for this?

Semper Fidelis,
Scott

[ouachitamac]

You could always get a coping saw and some extra blades. Not ideal, but a lot can be done with it. I like a farriers rasp for shaping wood. It doesn't work in all situations, but in some cAses it hogs off the wood like there's no tomorrow. If you could get your hands on a hand held belt sander, maybe a cheapy from walmart, just to finish up the riser.

[mikkekeswick]

I'd be making selfbows  
A small axe, a farriers rasp, a file and a scraper. You don't even need a bench.
I don't think there is a satisfactory way to shape glass bows without all the tools. Everything will just take hours and won't be as accurate. I'd feel like I was banging my head against a brick wall!

[Scott F]

Thanks for the advice gentlemen.  Coping saw, that would be interesting and I may have to attempt that one.  I haven't used one in years! I have an assortment of rasps and files, including a #49.  I've gone the selfbow route and had a couple that "survived" - I'll certainly make more all wooden bows in the future, but for now it is glass.

Then I tried my hand at laminating, first with bamboo, then some hickory and maple backed ipe and other core woods.  Those were all fun bows to make, I just have my heart set on a short D/R bow glass bow at the moment.

This weekend I made my form and it came out better than any previous bow form I've made.
I'll be ordering my supplies later today.

[canopyboy]

Scott,

Come on up and visit. I've got a bandsaw that might get the job done. Quantico is about 30 minutes if you can schedule around peak traffic. I'm planning to be around this weekend.

Send me a PM with your email or phone number if interested and I'll give you directions.

-Dave

[wood carver 2]

You could make a simple bow saw. It's better than a coping saw and you can make it any size you need. I use a piece of bandsaw blade and it cuts fast an accurate. I've made a few in different sizes from 6 inches for my carving kit to 36 inches for the time I was making a rocking horse that was too big to complete on the bandsaw.
 
Very easy to make.
Dave.

[Scott F]

Dave (wood carver 2),
I should have thought of that - I've made similar saws while playing around with bushcraft.
I am definitely going to make some of those regardless of this bow project.

Dave (Canopyboy),
Look for a PM...my skill with a hand saw isn't what I need for a thin-tapered riser!  Thanks in advance for the offer.

-Scott

[M60gunner]

I find the thin kerf Japan saw works better in some situations than a coping saw.

[Roy from Pa]

Scott, Canopyboy buys cheap beer.  

[canopyboy]

That's only when I show up to Roy's house and only because I don't think he could handle real beer. I'm positive he wouldn't appreciate it being a quantity over quality Coors Light guy...

[canopyboy]

Oh, and Dave - nice bow saw. Did you make both planes too? I've toyed with the idea of plane making a few times. My dad has his grandpa's old wooden planes up in his office in the cabinet shop back home.

[wood carver 2]

Thanks Dave. My Dad made the planes. The big jointer is about 70 years old, and still working. I asked him to make the smoothing plane for me a couple of years ago. It's made from a piece of red beech we brought back when we returned from Malta.
I made the little saw from a small ( and hard to get ) piece of Maltese oak. It's as hard as ironwood and grey in color.
There's something about handmade tools, especially if they were made and used by family.
I have another old jointer that my Grandfather made. Unfortunately, it was left at my Uncle's house and someone drove the wedge in with a hammer and left it there for years, splitting the side a bit.    :mad:  
Dave.