Tillering help

briarjumper12 · January 19, 2011, 08:33:00 AM

I been experimenting with dry heat and here is pic of what it came out looking like. 1.5in for about 13 or 14 inches then tapering to 3/8 (when finished). Almost there now already. 65 inches tip to tip. I don't have the string grooves filed in yet.

Here it is pulled to 40 lb on the long string. Limb tips moving about 5 inches from the resting pic.

I've tillered out 4 successful stave bows from this same wood and broke one board bow as of now. I've not tried anything like this.
Could I get some tillering advice on this?
Did I put to much reflex the outer limbs?
Is the reflex even in the right place?
Thanks everyone,
John

Art B · January 19, 2011, 09:49:00 AM

You will get a better look at things if you'll go ahead and cut in your string grooves and then use a double loop tillering string. Set the string at what you think is brace height and then run a temporary string from nock to nock. This mimicks a short string and will give you a better looks at your tiller. Strive for an even tiller. To better understand what I'm saying just take a sheet of paper and straightedge from nock to nock across your computer screen on you lower pic.

If you can get a bit more reflex in the last 6-8" of your limbs I believe you'll like the profile better........Art

briarjumper12 · January 19, 2011, 10:52:00 AM

I thought about more reflex near tips as well Art. I think I can pull it off. Give a bit rounded profile in the reflex instead of gull wing look. Thanks for the suggestion.

hova · January 19, 2011, 10:54:00 AM

id like to help , but i have yet to do something like this. im watching though , as i have been thinking of something similar.

-hov

Walt Francis · January 19, 2011, 11:48:00 AM

I wouldn't take your bow to a short string until it is bending 5 or 6 inches past the handle, at 40-50 pounds.

Art B · January 19, 2011, 01:33:00 PM

Yeah, I think you're still in good shape also briarjumper. You have the right idea about stiffening your mid-limbs though. Some sort of pyramid design will allow you more limb thickness in that area to help hold reflexed profile better IMO. Maybe try one of those at a later date.....Art

briarjumper12 · January 20, 2011, 07:47:00 AM

I'm almost ready for the short string. I'll get some more pics when I do and we'll see what it looks like then.

broketooth · January 20, 2011, 07:55:00 AM

when you use dry heat, you need to let the wood rehydrate before you go to the tiller string, maybe a day or so. you will lose some of the reflex through the tiller process. i just learned this myself. keep us posted. ruddy

briarjumper12 · January 21, 2011, 06:44:00 AM

broketooth,
I did let it sit out for a day before I even took it off the form. I was kinda worried about it so I let it sit for another before bending it. All seems well so far.
I haven't got to work on it any in a couple of days. Been down with the flu or something, missed work yesterday and laid in bed. Going to try get back at today.
John