Does anyone have info on the tillering blocks that ive seen used for finding the center on glass type bows. the one that I did see were two aluminum blocks with notches and a cable connecting them. I did a search and someone said they had made some from washers. just looking for a place to purchase them or im willing to try and make them. thanks

Just buy two small chunk of ali and cut out a slot for the limbs ends and a hole for your cable. Obviously you also need a cable  

I'm cautiously planning to make my first recurve in the next couple of months and was wondering...do you really need to use tillering blocks?  If so, I'll be watching this thread for some good ideas.

QuoteOriginally posted by beachbowhunter:
I'm cautiously planning to make my first recurve in the next couple of months and was wondering...do you really need to use tillering blocks?  If so, I'll be watching this thread for some good ideas.

you don't have to have them, but true center of the limb is not always half the limb width. if that makes any sense. I personally have never used them but I have had trouble with limb and string alignment.

I have built hundreds of glass bows and if the center of the limb is not the true center then you have either:  limbs that are not straight or aligned with each other, the form is twisted or the riser is not in the center of the limb. The center of the limb will always be true center if the limb is straight.

James

James that really makes sense.

I have not made but a handful of bows and no two alike tweaking this or that. I dont use them.
I made a jig to hold a pencil off a block that you slide perpendicular to limb from limb butt to tip.
It will mark a centerline to the forms true center.
If your glass moves when pressing it does not matter as you will mark true center every time.
Jig kinda looks like those vertical cranes for tall buildings if you know what I mean..
Just use a block thick enough to give clearance for squeeze out so you wont even pull limb off form until after you have marked it.

Lou

savage1 let us see your mark jig.

If the limbs are not straight or mis-aligned, how would marking the center help you on a glass bow? Why not just pull a line from the center of each limb tip to check for straightness and alignment?
Then you could make the proper adjustments as needed. But if the bow is built right it will be straight when it comes out of the form.

James

I made a pair and used them on my first couple of recurves with mixed results.  Then saw somebody on here run his recurve through a thickness sander after grinding the big globs of glue off.  Gave it a try on my next one.  Haven't used the blocks since and have only had to slightly adjust the tips on a couple of them.

Mike I'll send you one. Then if you want to post it thats cool.
I cant post pics here.

Lou

Pics in photobucket. Just cant get them here.

Lou

Ok I sent the pictures to Mike saturday. No luck posting them myself.
Maybe Mike will post the marking jig.
Since I started using the center off the form my limbs have tracked good.
I dont use tiller block or run my limbs through drum sander on a sled.

Lou

Well I guess mike just called me out then did a disappearing act.
Thats why Im hesitant to email people I dont know personally.

Lou

Lou, I sent you a private message..

Roy

looks like this.

Good job on picture, Lou..

QuoteOriginally posted by Walt Francis:
I made a pair and used them on my first couple of recurves with mixed results.  Then saw somebody on here run his recurve through a thickness sander after grinding the big globs of glue off.  Gave it a try on my next one.  Haven't used the blocks since and have only had to slightly adjust the tips on a couple of them.

That's how I do my LB limbs. Should work for recurve I suppose...