Being behind schedule, I devoted the entire day yesterday to the effort of making the 7/4 deadline. Was going for 55# and ended up 48# and a wipped tiller is in question. What do you think? The bow shoots well but has some hand shock.
The stave had some character with a snakey limb, a dip in the belly side of the fade and a series of lumpy pin knots in the other limb.
Snakey limb
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v323/Osagetree/Self%20Bows/Swapbow1.jpg)
Dip at fade
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v323/Osagetree/Self%20Bows/Swapbow5.jpg)
Pin knot clump on other limb
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v323/Osagetree/Self%20Bows/Swapbow3.jpg)
Profile before tiller
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v323/Osagetree/Self%20Bows/Swapbow.jpg)
Braced at about 5"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v323/Osagetree/Self%20Bows/Swapbow8.jpg)
62" 48# @ 28" missed by 7lbs. Don't mind the silencers,,, the string was borrowed from another bow.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v323/Osagetree/Self%20Bows/Swapbow9.jpg)
All comments welcome.....
Looks pretty good to me. You could maybe narrow the tip width a bit and reduce the hand shock and pick up a few FPS. For the last 2 years I've been shooting a 47#@26" yew bow that is my hunting bow. If the bow shoots where you are looking and you know the trajectory of the arrow that is plenty of weight for a hunting bow.
I love that rounded tiller.
Looks really nice to me, although I can't decide if that section just beyond the knot area on the right limb is working more than it should. It appears reflexed in the unstrung picture, but looks a touch "hingy" about 8" from the tip. Maybe I'm dreaming, though. The left limb looks beautiful, and I, too, love that tiller profile.
I agree with Pat on the weight. I think we all agree that "we get what we get" in this trade, and a 48# bow is a fine hunting weight weapon if tillered/built properly (which you did!), matched with good arrows, and shot well.
I'm gonna guess the hand shock is due a bit to the very rounded, near bend-through-the-handle tiller (which again, I like!) and the pin knot cluster on the one limb. That would cause a pretty good imbalance in limb mass.
But heck, if it shoots where you're looking, ain't nobody should complain! Great work!
PS...you got enough length to pike it an inch on both tips?
Joseph,
If you are really worried about the weight cut an inch of either side and see what happens, but as what was said before 48# is plenty of weight to be hunting with. Tiller looks fine to me.
Good luck.
Bert.
Dang, that's a really nice looking bow with lots of character you got there. Love that circle round tiller and IMO it looks great. If it shoots where you want and you are able to do so... ;-) then this is a very fine hunting weapon. If the one who is getting it is complaining about the few pounds missing, give him my address. I would love to own such a nice bow.
Very nice job on that one !
----------
Andy
Tiller looks really good, easy on the eyes, if you really want to add some weight back to it you can always flip the tips a little more, should jump you up 5-7lbs
JD
I agree with what has been stated in all of the above posts. Good job. I know I would be happy if it showed up at my place.
Pete
One of the sexiest tillers I've seen in a while...
Thanks for the nice comments!
I'd take another inch off each limb and flip the tips but, that would make it 60" ntn and I need to reach 28" draw. I like a safe bow and seems that would push the limits. So, unless several chime in with good encouragement I'll probably do another one next weekend. What do ya think?
By the way I only got a 1" set with this one, thin rings too!. Erics tiller gizmo sure helps when the eye's and body get lazy or rushed.
looks great,im in agreement that the handshock is probably coming from the overall flex through the entire bow, even the handle. as far as length you may very well be able to get away with piking it, i have a red oak bend through handle thats only 61" overall and it pulls to 27 and 28" just fine.even with a crack i had to patch with ca. im sure that osage is gonna be alot more stable than iffy grain red oak. if it works you got it to what you want, if not then youd have to do another, which you seem like you may be doing anyway.
I've made a few 60"t/t osage bows that I tiller to 28". Some are bendy handles and some not, most were recurved but some were just kicked up at the tips.
...also, a rawhide backing would give you some insurance and sinew would give that bow poundage and zip...and insurance!
That tiller will hold on a 60" bow. I'd cut an inch or two off if it were me. You might give it a couple swipes with the scraper from the handle to midlimb on the right.
IMO, 48# is plenty. I'd be happy with it. I think its a great bow
Scrifes, the center of the handle is left of the center of the tree mount in the full draw pic. Knowing that, do you still feel the same about the right limb?
QuoteSo, unless several chime in with good encouragement I'll probably do another one next weekend.
I, for one, vote for you to make another bow....and send this one to me.... :pray: No self bows yet for me and I just found out my dad managed to get his hands on an old antique draw knife for me. Hopefully I'll be able to make one sometime-probably not near as good as yours, though. Great looking bow.
Jeremy
Joe,
When I posted the original sign up post I believe I stated for guys to request a weight in about 5# range. Most bowyers that build glass bows guarantee a bow within 2#.
So I would say with all things considered you have met your goal of poundage. A bow like that should be appreciated and is plenty capable of making meat.
I say ship it if they don't like it they can return it and I will build you one and you can trade with me. :bigsmyl:
Stiks
Osage -
That is a beaut of a bow. Pike it 1" and back it if your are worried. Don't flip the tips (My 2cents).
Then send it and whoever gets it will have an awesome bow.
va
Osage that s a beautiful bow. I love the tiller on your full draw pic. Leave it like it is. Who ever gets it I believe will keep it. Dean
I'd say so Joe. It will be fine like this but it will be better if you tweek it just a bit in that spot and maybe a few swipes on the left; it looks just a touch stronger than the right. The place just past that knot on the right is a tad hingy and I'd bet this will correct it. You won't affect weight too much either I bet.
I used photo shop to make the comparison to left and right limb tiller.What do you see? The left limb is least transparent.
:archer2:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v323/Osagetree/Self%20Bows/Tillercompare1.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v323/Osagetree/Self%20Bows/Swapbow9.jpg)
I can kinda see what John is talking about now. I didn't see anything wrong at first. It looks great to me. I think you should flip the tips or pike it. I don't think it needs both. Maybe a little sinew added. But even if you did nothing else I would be proud to own this bow.
So you'll be sending it out to me soon? ;)
(http://sticknstring.webs.com/photos/2010-Pictures/ot.jpg)
Looks to me like you need to raise your photoshopped overlay up a tad to me. Here's how I see it.
But John,,, In my pic the strings are lined up and in yours it's off. Oh well,,, I took your advice touched up the tiller a bit more or made it a bit worse??? Seems when I flipped the tips, one held a bit more than the other.
Anyways I finished it off today and this is what I got.
62" 49# @ 28" Light walnut staining to bring out the grain. Leather handle & floppy rest.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v323/Osagetree/Self%20Bows/a1bowswap3.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v323/Osagetree/Self%20Bows/a1bowswap4.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v323/Osagetree/Self%20Bows/a1bowswap7.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v323/Osagetree/Self%20Bows/a1bowswap6.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v323/Osagetree/Self%20Bows/a1bowswap16.jpg)
This crack was caused when I split the stave and there is no sign of it on the back of the bow.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v323/Osagetree/Self%20Bows/a1bowswap20.jpg)
Okay John,,, please do this one on photo shop. It took me about 3 hours on the last one as I know nothing about that program. Post the results photo here as I want to see. I bet I only made it worse???
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v323/Osagetree/Self%20Bows/a1bowswap12.jpg)
What a beauty! Nice job
She looks good to me, Joe. I love that circular tiller.
i agree with pat, i have seen much much worse tillers than that.
:) Excellent job.
(http://sticknstring.webs.com/photos/2010-Pictures/ot2.jpg)
Thanks John! I really appreciate your time and sound advice! And thanks to all others responding, truley appreciated!!
Working on another that may meet the weight request,,, I'll keep you all posted on that one too!!
I am simply offering an opinion and some photo editing. I am far from expert. I was at Cloverdale this weekend and showed my trade bow to Ed Scott from Owl bows. There was something that was bothering me on the tiller but I couldn't put my finger on it. He recognized the problem right away and offered REAL sound advice. We all see things in different ways and through collaboration lift each other's efforts above what they could be on their own.
Sound logic!!! :thumbsup: