I'm starting to build my own bows. The only confusion I really have is how to use a tillering stick. Any help appreciated. Justin
Skip the stick and build a tiller tree, much safer for the bow and the bowyer. These are Tim Flood's plans
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v199/dlgren/tillertree.jpg)
If you have room for a tillering tree with a rope and pulley I would make one and forget about the tillering stick. The tree lets you flex the limbs while you watch at a distance. With stick you lock the string in a notch and check the limb bend. Normal sticks have a notch every inch out to 30" or so.
Here is my tree. I can use a peg like a tillering tree or a rope with a pulley.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v181/ekrewson/bow%20making/tilleringtoshortstring2.jpg)
Make yourself one of these and tillering won't be a mystery.
http://tradgang.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=033419
Thanks so much guys!
Ditto. See Bow Making Directions on my site. Jawge