Another bowyers question: rasp files

[Spacemonkey]

Where oh where can I get a suitable sized wood rasp for cutting the nocks on the bow?
I've tried all the usual suspects and a few smaller tool shops but nothing but huge ones or needle files for metal. I know they exist as i have scrounged them in the past, but where can I get one now, and what is the ideal diameter??

 

[MartiniDave]

I don't know if they'd have them but have you tried www.quicks.co.uk

Dave

 

[scanker]

I know nothing of bow making but your post sounds like you're after miniature rasps....any use? I have a set - they're about 8" long overall.

 

[Grooveski]

Chainsaw files

http://www.machinemart.co.uk/product.asp?p=030430504

 

[jdlenton]

a round one of these is what you want but where you buy them separately i dont know yet

ah I remember bardster and Chris claycomb have a one each now Chris is in Norway for a week but bardster should be able to tell you where he got his

 

[stovie]

I use rattail files found in any good old fashioned hardware shop. £1 a throw

 

[Bardster]

What I use is a flexible round rasp from axminster. Cant seem to find it on their website but its a blue handled jobbie - comes in two sizes. YOu want the smaller one. ahhh found it
http://www.axminster.co.uk/products/Abrafile-Bendable-Round-Files-21142.html

just a shame they dont sell it anymore....

 

[Spacemonkey]

Scanker's miniature rasps look ideal. Any idea what diameter the round ones are?

 

[chas brookes]

A round tile saw blade from homebase works well

 

[scanker]

Just been out and measured it and it's about 5mm.

 

[scruff]

They have mini rasps & files here: http://www.thegoodstuffshop.dk/group .asp?group=3144&sub=940

and they are exceedingly good quality!

 

[bent-stick]

I find the little rats tail filles don't last. I work a bit with horn and mother of pearl amd they clog and get trashed so I picked up some diamond files (5 for a tenner from the local tool shop. They look a bit like this:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0001K9TKG

Perhaps buyng 10 just to get the round one might be a bit over the top but you can't own too many tools

Having said that, II usually take my nocks out with a knife.

 

[dtalbot]

Seem to remember it was a No 8 Opinel that put the nocks onto the longbow I made

 

[Spacemonkey]

I used my folding saw last time, but the rasp is to neaten and smooth things after. They look really good like that..

 

[longshot]

how about wrapping some sandpaper around a dowel of the desired diameter and use that as your rasp.


dean

 

[jojo]

the other thing you can do , if you want to cut a, let say 6mm nock, is to use a flat batten, 5mm thick, round off one edge to the curve you need and stick some coarse sand paper using double sided carpet tape around the rounded side, its a lot easier to hold than a small dowel and does not break so easily. the batten need to be thinner to accomodate the thickness of the tape and the paper.
Quicker to do than to say!