antler nock-build along

[ozarkcherrybow1]

First time to try a build along, so bear with me...This is about all ya need:  
  I'll start out cutting off a small piece of antler. (any time you see me use the band saw, you can also use a hack saw)  
 
 I have marked a center line in the antler. This is where I want to keep the nock in relation to the antlers natural curvature.  

[ozarkcherrybow1]

Next, I clamp the piece into a vise and start filing down the end that will mount into the cane.
 
Check the fit into your desired cane shaft  

[ozarkcherrybow1]

Then cut down to the length of nock that you want

 It may not look like much at this point, but it will be fine. Next, round it out to the shape of the cane.

 Now we are ready to cut in the string groove. I cut a starting groove with the band saw (if your not used to power tools, just use a hack saw!) Keep the line centered in the antler. (very important)

Then clamp the nock into a vise and use a tile saw blade in your hack saw to finish out the groove.  
 be sure to take a good angle with the saw in the bottom of the string groove to keep from having any sharp edges.

[ozarkcherrybow1]

Almost done! It is all about the finishing touches now. Round out all the square edges around the nock and be sure to sand out the groove to take any string-cutting sharp edges away

The finished nock:

This is pretty easy to do. This took about 15 minutes. Hope this inspires a few of you to take on making home made nocks.
   Terry

[Charles Sorrells]

Thank you!  I was thinking of this very thing on the way to work this morning.

Very good job!

[tradtusker]

thats pretty neat thanks for sharing  

[Aeronut]

Good job Terry.  The only thing I find missing in your first picture is the clothespin for my nose.  I have made a lot of stuff out of antler and never have gotten used to the smell.

Dennis

[ozarkcherrybow1]

Thanks guys, I've wanted to do this for quite a while...
Dennis, the kerosine from the space heater drowns out the smell pretty good. (it is COLD here). Looking forward to seeing you again at Ojam....Terry

[joekeith]

That's pretty neat     I never would've thought of that...

[JAG]

       

[ozarkcherrybow1]

TTT for the Sat. night crowd.......

[TimZeigler]

Similar to how I do mine.  Nice buildalong.

[Pig Sticker]

Good job! Just found something to do with those sheds. Thanks

[bigiron]

Terry, when does the shoot start in greenland this spring? I'm getting antsi setting around sharpening BHs. haven't been able to raise anyone at the Dam to see if he still has the range open.

[bigiron]

by the way,,,,,, really neet noks!

[JRY309]

Nice job,sweet looking nock.

[arklongbowman]

Good job Terry, now I now something I can do until the weather breaks a little.  I hope to make Greenland some this year, don't know if I can justify the membership, but more than willing to pay at each event I can make.  Love this site also!!

MikeY

[Hawkeye]

Boy, the human mind is a powerful (or scary) thing!

Terry, I bet I live 500 miles from you, but as I was looking at the pictures of your build along, I SWEAR I could smell the "burned" antler smell!!

Thanks for the instruction!

Daryl

[ozarkcherrybow1]

Hi Doug, Greenland will start up about the second weekend in March. (usually 2 weeks after bow season ends) I give you a call.
 Mike, good to hear from you. this is a great site!
 Daryl, don't let the smell keep ya from doing this. Using a metal file keeps the smell to a minimum. These nocks look really cool on your homemade arrows. I have been thinking of using them on cedar shafts also, just drill out a hole for the insert.....Terry

[cfox]

Great build-a-long Terry. Are you going to do another live demo this year at OJAM?