O.K, I've gone ahead and build the Red Oak bow thanks to 4est's great advice and photos.  It looks good so far, but now I have to Tiller it.  What exactly is tillering????  I know this is a big rookie question but I have to ask.  What am I looking for / at when I put it on the tillering jig. (which I still have to build some how)  

Help!

WOW! I guess your limbs are "tapered. You now need to string the bow with a "loose" heavy cord, pull the string till the bow "arches" somewhat, stand back and try to see if the limbs are equal in the curve. If so and its not too strong, pull it a few more inches. If one limb is bending more than the other you have to shave the other untill it matches and they are equal. If you get a "sharp dip " , thats a "hinge" and it will break at that point if you keep pulling it back. You have to shave either side of the hinge so the limb arches gracefully! Get a good book.

Yes the limbs are tapered.  I'm assuming that I only need to take off a very small amount to affect the amount of curve.  Do you recommend a particular type of tillering tree?

thanks for the info.

I have a 2X4 with pegs set 4" apart. BUT I want to make a tree with pully set-up. It will be fastened to the wall "stationary. I think it'll be safer to use because you can stand back and watch it curve, if a hinge shows up I can stop right away and work on that limb. With a 2X4 set up you cannot watch the action and pull at the same time.

What part of Canada are you from? The wife and I have a cabin in Restoule, Ontario.

I am near Winnipeg Manitoba. I found a picture on this site with a tillering tree with a pully system, check it out, I think I will make it like that photo.

Thanks for the help!

Thanks

Theres' some info on my site. Jawge
http://georgeandjoni.home.comcast.net/~georgeandjoni/

Your site looks great, lots of great info for a newbie.

thanks

Here is a picof mine.  I just used a 2X4 standing upright and attatched it to my work bench.  I drilled holes 1 inch apart and use a long bold as an anchor with 2 2X4s together at the top for the rest for your bow.  Not fancy but it does work

Oh ya, please excuse the mess.  I use my garage for EVERYTHING

Eastern Fisher, You need to resize your photo or the Mods will pull it.

Your bench looks kind of like mine. How do you get to the beer fridge while tillering   .

Randy, check out the "How To" section. Lots of info there and also do a search for Sam Harper's web site. Great info for beginners on his sight. I use it all the time.

And POST LOTS OF PICTURE!!!!!