I recently got a laminated (wood and fiberglass) recurve bow blank. I trimmed the limbs and shaped the riser, added tip overlays and cut the string nocks. I thought it was looking pretty good and strung it up. I find that the "tiller" is pretty poor. The bottom limb looks to be quite a bit stronger. What is the process for tillering a laminated bow? I presume I remove material from the edge. Is there a preferred method? A preferred tool? Do I need to take precise limb width measurements and try to match the upper limb dimensions?
I'll try to get some photos posted so you can offer specific advice, but in the meantime, I thought I could get some advice.
Thanks for any help you can offer.
Accurate and precise is key.A few thou can make a big differance
A big 12-14" file or a good sanding block can true things up nice for you.Although any combo of hand tools will work as well. Measure at the fade out area for tiller and limb width. Be sure that the limbs are squared up on the edges. after you get the bow tillered and balanced you can then trap or round the edge over.
Good luck.
CTT
Here's a little trick I use to get the limbs bending right.....Say you have the width correct along the length of a limb, but that limb is a bit stiff compared to the other limb. Take a sharpie marker and draw a wavy line down each edge of the limb and then sand with a belt sander just enough until the mark is all gone on each side of the limb. This takes necessary material off while at the same time keeps you from removing too much material in any one spot. It might take a couple cycles of marking and sanding. I had to do this to a recent r/d longbow I made and posted pics here. If you have just a smaller stiff area, just mark and sand that area. You can also drop a couple #'s this way if needed by marking and sanding both limbs.
Thanks for the advice and tips. I will try them out this weekend.
john, do you have a pic or illustration of what you are describing w/ the wavy line? i think i understand but would like to be sure.
thanks, mike