I spent some time working on my latest bow today. I was tillering it using the long string and it was going well. I got out another string and got it on a very low brace and I noticed that one limb was a little weaker. I removed some wood from the stronger limb and checked again. No noticable change. I turned the bow around and put it back on the tree and the weak limb was suddenly really weak looking :scared: .
The tree is ugly as sin, but it's square so I can't figure why it would look so much worse one way than the other.
Does anyone have any recomendations?
1st. pic. low brace. right limb looks a little weak.
(http://i1177.photobucket.com/albums/x349/1wood1/IMG_0359.jpg)
2nd. pic. right limb looking very weak.
(http://i1177.photobucket.com/albums/x349/1wood1/IMG_0360.jpg)
3rd. pic. bow turned around. left limb looking weak, but not too bad.
(http://i1177.photobucket.com/albums/x349/1wood1/IMG_0361.jpg)
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Dave.
Those extra long strings lie. I would string it up to a 6 inch brace height and tiller from there.
I agree.... I try to get it on a short string at a moderate brace height ASAP....long strings only tell you so much.
Thanks Roy. I'll get a real bowstring on it tomorrow. I stopped working on it so I wouldn't wreck it.
Dave.
Thanks to you too Nate. I guess it's tough going until I get a lot more experience. :thumbsup:
Dave.
Yeah I hardely even use a long string. Just get it to a short brace and tiller away.
This isn't the fault of the long string.
You shouldn't see this difference just because you flipped the bow around. I'm guessing the handle section where it's sitting on the tree is higher on one side than the other. To find out, rest the bow blank on the tree with NO string on it, note each tip's height in relation to something in the background, then flip the bow end for end and compare.
I would investigate and make the necessary corrections before I went any farther.
The limb with the shorter tag end on the tied up tillering string is much weaker than the other one. It also looks like it has more reflex towards the tip. Got an unbraced pic? Keep working it slowly until they are even. Definitely get a real string on it.
Bowjunkie, you're right about the handle section being higher on one end. one limb is very much weaker though. John, the tips started out with the same amount of reflex, but after some work, they became uneven. I'll work on weakening the strong limb and square up the riser as well.
Funny thing I noticed, after removing some wood, I worked the limbs 30 times then let it rest a bit. When I let go the string, I could see the bow slowly recovering it's shape. Is this normal?
Dave.
Yes that's pretty normal.
I worked on it for a few hours and it's beginning to even out now. It still has a bunch of weight to lose, but I'm much more confidant in it becoming a shooter now. :)
Thanks for your advice everyone. :thumbsup:
Dave.