That tiller looks good to me. Thats gonna be a sweet shootin bow.

Something to consider here Chris. Does your friend grip and shoot a bow in your fashion? Art

That looks nice Semo.

QuoteOriginally posted by Art B:
Something to consider here Chris. Does your friend grip and shoot a bow in your fashion? Art

I don't think he owns a longbow?
I think he just wanted one because he saw pictures of the ones I built for myself and my nephews, then decided that he just had to have one. I don't really buy into all that 3 under tiller split finger tiller anyway. I haven't found that it makes much difference in how they shoot cause I've tried it both ways.

Thanks for all the compliments guys, I really appreciate everyone's opinions, observations, advice, and the extra sets of eyes. It all helps.

~SEMO~

Well I decided that instead of putting reflex in the tips or adding any kind of real extreme curves to the bow, that I would just straighten the tips cause each one had a tiny bit of twist. Then while I was at it, I strapped the entire bow flat to my bench and warmed up each limb just to the point of being hot to the touch to give it a bit of heat treatment. I was trying to counter act the little bit of set that the bow had taken while strung during the tillering process.
I think it turned out quite well and I'm going to call this good. The tips are straight with the entire bow and the profile has returned to nearly perfectly flat, which is what I had hoped to achieve. It may still take some set or string follow, but the tips are straight with zero twist and that's what I was trying to accomplish.
Here's the last pic.

 

Also here is a couple of pics of a string keeper I made this morning.
Yes....that is a canine tooth holding the string. I have no idea what type of canine it was, I found a skull while walking through the woods the other day and pulled the canine incisors out of it. When I found it I thought to myself...."Hmmm...I can make something out of these" and then this morning it dawned on me what they would be good for. Gifts from Mother Nature, waste not want not and death isn't always the end. That's how the Indians saw the scheme of life, and that's how I try to see it also.
I also thought it was befitting to have a Predator's tooth as part of and instrument used to take game in the hands of the Ultimate Predator at the top of the food chain.    

 
 
 

We are a resourceful bunch arent we? I have a collection of "stuff" I have picked up a mile high. You just never know Chris! Nice work on your bow!

Good job! I it looks nice. Good idea with the keeper too.

Your bow turned out very nice Chris! Like that string keeper also.........Art

Thanks guys, I'm rather pleased with how it turned out. I appreciate all the critiques on the tiller and all the advice.
Like Pearl says, "It helps, it really does"

One last question.........Since I did some heating on the belly, should I wait a few days before stringing it and shooting it?
I've read on here before about letting it "Rehydrate" and even though I didn't get it very hot, just enough to straighten the tips and flatten it back out, I just want to make sure before I get right back at it.

Thanks!

I would give it at least one day Chris.........Art

I usually wait at least a week before bending a bow I have heated.

I don't think Chris done a full heat treating job John. He said earlier that he just strapped his bow to the bench and heated it to where it was hot to the touch.......Art

Fantastic job Chris!  I think you oughta let it sit a bit.  No experience with heat trreating at all, but if you heated it enough to straigten it out then I would have to say wait a bit.  

Just think - u can make me one of those awesome string keepers to keep your hands from being idle in the meantime   :p  

I for one would be not only proud to be the recipient of that bow, but totally floored as well    

I think your friend will be very pleased as well.

QuoteOriginally posted by Art B:
I don't think Chris done a full heat treating job John. He said earlier that he just strapped his bow to the bench and heated it to where it was hot to the touch.......Art

That's exactly what I did Art. Only hot enough that I couldn't keep my hand on it for more than about 3 seconds then I moved on down the limb. Then when I felt like it was all heated evenly I quit. Also I was holding the heat gun at least 3-4 inches away so as not to scorch it.

I just checked the humidity level for my area on Nexrad and it's only 25% but there's a storm front moving in tonight and Sunday night, so I think I'll leave it till at least Monday. The front moving in should bring some humidity with it, and I'm in no big hurry. Just to be on the safe side.

Kounter- Thanks for the kind words. I think I may start building these string keepers, I kinda enjoyed making this one.

Knowing the humidity level is the KEY. Even without heating, the R/H in your area would make bending your bow dangerous. And make rehydrating more difficult.

A small investment in a humidifier and humidity/temp monitors is wise if you plan on making future bows.....Art

TTT for Lee Strikkers