Well we got a lot of input from all of you and went back to the drawing board.  The tip build along was good but the grip was too complex and the heavy use of power tools intimidating.

OK, so here we go again.

First of all the tips stay that same, but the grip and window are now included when you get the bow.

Here is a profile look:

   

Side view of grip as it comes:

   

From the back:

   

The belly side:

   

We have a customer that came by today and I asked him to finish the bow out with a little instruction.  He said he'd do it and is out with Jason and Connie right now taking pics as he attacks the bow with only hand tools.

We'll follow his progress on this thread as time goes by.

Mike

thanx Mike.... I can't wait.

Cool!

OH MAN ............Looks Really Good Mike! Uh, I  Still  have 2 Unfinished Dryad "Me Finish" Bows  :confused:  , But I had a Pregnant Daughter in the House so I couldnt make Nasty Dust.      

Jason and Jason(Crash)Castle (volunteer) just came in after one hour of work.  The grip is done and ready for sanding.

I'll get Connie to download the pics so I can make em small enough for the web.

Next time he's over we'll do the tips.


Mike

I finally got the pics reduced and uploaded to Photobucket.  Dang it took more time to do the pics then it took Crash to do the handle and window. LOL

First here's Crash wondering what he got himself into.



First step is to radius the shelf.  We use a large rattail file to do this work by hand.



Be sure all rasp and file work is done towards the center of the bow and not to the edge.  Glass and overlays will splinter easy.

The idea is to have a round edge in the bottom of the shelf/window and to radius it so that the center is higher then the front and back edge.

Clean up the shelf with a rasp (4 in 1) taking it down to the blend with the now round corner.



Almost there:




There ya go!!

Now blend the round into the window.  Use the round file and the 4 in 1 at this time.

 
Clean up the tool marks and radius the shelf fore and aft.

 

Watch the thinkness of the window.  We don't want to go under .82 inches here for safety.

Just a little more in the center of the radius and we've got it.

On to the grip and more of the same.  Use the rasp to smooth the lines and to remove "big tool" marks.





Use the trailing edge of the rasp in tight spots like the throat to keep from cutting the otherside by mistake.

Move to the "flexible rasp" to smooth the tool marks you jsut put in with the rasp. LOL

That side is done, so let's turn the bow over and work on the back.

First with the rasp bevel the corner of the overlay and glass to blend with the handle.  (Take off the sharp edge)



Do this on both sides.  REMEMBER TO ALWAYS GO TOWARDS THE CENTER OF THE BOW.

Shift to the flexible rasp and round and smooth using a shoe shine movement.

Grip should feel pretty good at this point.

While we are working on the back, let's go ahead and blend and shape the ends of the overlay to get a nice rounded appearance.  Here use the trailing edge of the rasp and remove wood.  DO NOT REMOVE GLASS.



Go slow if this is your first time.  After a few you will do this in a few seconds.

Let's finish up the belly side of the window and shelf before we call it quits.

Bevel the belly edge of the window like you did the back side.  

 

Use the lg rattail to hook the edge of the shelf back.

 

 

Use the flexible rasp to round and smooth.

Flip the bow over and do the same on the back.

Ok the grip and window are ready for sanding.  Now is a good time to make any modifications you want to fit your hand better.

We will do tips probably on Saturday when Crash can come back over.

Tools used today were 4 in 1 rasp, flexible rasp (sanding belt pc), lg round or rattail file.  About $30 if you buy it all new.

Mike

Excellent stuff!  Keep it coming...

Wingnut thank you for sharing your skills with us!