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Main Boards => The Bowyer's Bench => Topic started by: briarjumper12 on January 19, 2011, 08:33:00 AM

Title: Tillering help
Post by: briarjumper12 on January 19, 2011, 08:33:00 AM
I been experimenting with dry heat and here is pic of what it came out looking like.  1.5in for about 13 or 14 inches then tapering to 3/8 (when finished).  Almost there now already.  65 inches tip to tip.  I don't have the string grooves filed in yet.
(http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g108/briarjumper12/DSCF0316.jpg)

Here it is pulled to 40 lb on the long string. Limb tips moving about 5 inches from the resting pic.
(http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g108/briarjumper12/DSCF0319.jpg)
I've tillered out 4 successful stave bows from this same wood and broke one board bow as of now.  I've not tried anything like this.  
Could I get some tillering advice on this?
Did I put to much reflex the outer limbs?
Is the reflex even in the right place?
Thanks everyone,
John
Title: Re: Tillering help
Post by: Art B on January 19, 2011, 09:49:00 AM
You will get a better look at things if you'll go ahead and cut in your string grooves and then use a double loop tillering string. Set the string at what you think is brace height and then run a temporary string from nock to nock. This mimicks a short string and will give you a better looks at your tiller. Strive for an even tiller. To better understand what I'm saying just take a sheet of paper and straightedge from nock to nock across your computer screen on you lower pic.

If you can get a bit more reflex in the last 6-8" of your limbs I believe you'll like the profile better........Art
Title: Re: Tillering help
Post by: briarjumper12 on January 19, 2011, 10:52:00 AM
I thought about more reflex near tips as well Art.  I think I can pull it off.  Give a bit rounded profile in the reflex instead of gull wing look.  Thanks for the suggestion.
Title: Re: Tillering help
Post by: hova on January 19, 2011, 10:54:00 AM
id like to help , but i have yet to do something like this. im watching though , as i have been thinking of something similar.


-hov
Title: Re: Tillering help
Post by: Walt Francis on January 19, 2011, 11:48:00 AM
I wouldn't take your bow to a short string until it is bending 5 or 6 inches past the handle, at 40-50 pounds.
Title: Re: Tillering help
Post by: Art B on January 19, 2011, 01:33:00 PM
Yeah, I think you're still in good shape also briarjumper. You have the right idea about stiffening your mid-limbs though. Some sort of pyramid design will allow you more limb thickness in that area to help hold reflexed profile better IMO. Maybe try one of those at a later date.....Art
Title: Re: Tillering help
Post by: briarjumper12 on January 20, 2011, 07:47:00 AM
I'm almost ready for the short string.  I'll get some more pics when I do and we'll see what it looks like then.
Title: Re: Tillering help
Post by: broketooth on January 20, 2011, 07:55:00 AM
when you use dry heat, you need to let the wood rehydrate before you go to the tiller string, maybe a day or so. you will lose some of the reflex through the tiller process. i just learned this myself. keep us posted. ruddy
Title: Re: Tillering help
Post by: briarjumper12 on January 21, 2011, 06:44:00 AM
broketooth,
I did let it sit out for a day before I even took it off the form.  I was kinda worried about it so I let it sit for another before bending it.  All seems well so far.  
I haven't got to work on it any in a couple of days.  Been down with the flu or something, missed work yesterday and laid in bed.  Going to try get back at today.
John