Howdy from Texas to all y'all Trad folk. Here is my second bow. My first bow had pretty much every bit o fail you can build into one. It did not break (yet) but it has prop twist ,crysals, excessive set , and ended up at 18#
Here is #2 I am going a lot slower on this one and would appreciate any help y'all can give. This is a red oak board, silk backed , 70 ntn.
(http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh50/sotoolslinger/Bow%20the%20Second/IMG_4201.jpg)
(http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh50/sotoolslinger/Bow%20the%20Second/IMG_4223.jpg)
It has black and white ebony riser and nock overlays
(http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh50/sotoolslinger/Bow%20the%20Second/IMG_4185.jpg)
(http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh50/sotoolslinger/Bow%20the%20Second/IMG_4198.jpg)
When I first started tillering it had som serious hinges
(http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh50/sotoolslinger/Bow%20the%20Second/IMG_4216.jpg)
I pretty much have them eliminated
(http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh50/sotoolslinger/Bow%20the%20Second/IMG_4239.jpg)
Right now it is on a 2 3/4" brace and pulls 41# at 22".
Today I plan on putting a proper brace height string on and rechecking tiller
It looks good and seems to be bending evenly. Keep going slow!!! Don't worry about final weight but concentrate on proper tiller. This is only your second bow so so far, you are ahead of the game.
Thanks Pat I just strung it up with a 6 1/2" brace for the first time. I'll get some pics up in a minute
Here is my new bow with it's first full (6 1/2') brace. The blue tape at the riser indicates the weaker limb.
(http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh50/sotoolslinger/Bow%20the%20Second/IMG_4241.jpg)
(http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh50/sotoolslinger/Bow%20the%20Second/IMG_4240.jpg)
It has about a quarter inch difference in the string measurement to the fades.
I'm not concerned with positive tiller at brace on wood bows. IMO, tiller at full draw is the most important. The brace height looks a little high to me. I like it to be so the fletching doesn't touch the bow which for me is about 5 1/2" to 6". I don't know how much that matters though.
Show us a pic or 2 of the bow drawn to the last draw length you went to. Work slowly out to that mark with a bit of gradual exercising along the way.
Thanks Pat I'll get those pics in a little while. I just took some scrapes off the stiff limb and exersized the bow. I'll get some pics up in a little while
Took some scrapes off the stiff limb. It needs more.
Here it is to 39# at 22"
(http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh50/sotoolslinger/Bow%20the%20Second/IMG_4243.jpg)
(http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh50/sotoolslinger/Bow%20the%20Second/IMG_4242.jpg)
I'll get some actual draw pics in a few minutes.
Here are drawn pics
22"
(http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh50/sotoolslinger/Bow%20the%20Second/IMG_4246.jpg)
25"(@45#)
(http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh50/sotoolslinger/Bow%20the%20Second/IMG_4247.jpg)
It looks to me like the middle third of the lower limb is stiff.
you probably want to wait for pat or someone else to respond, but here are my two cents. it looks like you have a hinge about 1/3 of the way in from the limb tips. it seems to be worse on the right limb in the top pic. other than that it is a beautiful bow. good luck
eric
Not really a hinge, more whip tillered than anything. I would get the mid limbs bending more.
Thanks y'all.It is whip tillered at this point.I will be working the midlimbs bottom first. I have to run to Albuquerque tomorrow but I will be taking it with me.
You need a tillering gizmo to show the stiff and weak spots to you.
Well I got a mounted ,pulley ,tiller tree. That's what all the pics are taken on. I guess since I am on the road now I have to make a stick.
Well I finally got around to making a portable tiller stick so I can see what I'm doing.
(http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh50/sotoolslinger/Bow%20the%20Second/IMG_4273.jpg)
I really have to get that left limb bending more toward the fade. It is a lot stiffer in the inner limb.
Comments please.
In viewing your tools, no scraper in sight. Paramount or fine tune tiller, sharp knife held at right angle is personal weapon of choice. Remember slow does it, fast and frenzy results in a child's weight bow every time. This ain't I heard, it's I've done!
Nothing but cabinet scrapers and sandpaper have touched this bow since it's initial shaping.
Here is the bow from both sides
(http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh50/sotoolslinger/Bow%20the%20Second/IMG_4292.jpg)
(http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh50/sotoolslinger/Bow%20the%20Second/IMG_4291.jpg)
Please help.
Where are the spots that need scraping?
The bow currently pulls 42# @ 24"
What I see is a nice arc on the right limb and a weird ,cranky limb on the left.
But when I flip it around it looks exactly the same??????
What do y'all see?
I would get these flat spots bending better, where ever you see green, this will take some pressure off of the red areas, where you have the blue tape. Take a block of wood 4" long, or your cabinet scraper, run it along the belly of the bow, look at the gap between the block, this will show you where your flat spots are.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v199/dlgren/IMG_4291.jpg)
Very nice. Thank you for both the advice and the illustrations. That helps a lot.
Full Draw 45# @ 30"
(http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh50/sotoolslinger/Bow%20the%20Second/IMG_4310.jpg)
(http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh50/sotoolslinger/Bow%20the%20Second/IMG_4309.jpg)
Much better. :thumbsup:
Thanks Dano .I found a nice Maple 1x4x6 in NM.Does Maple make a good pyramid?