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Main Boards => The Bowyer's Bench => Topic started by: str8sh2ter on April 13, 2009, 10:31:00 AM

Title: Fine tune this tillering job.
Post by: str8sh2ter on April 13, 2009, 10:31:00 AM

This is an all wood laminated Longbow.,around 40# and 68" tip to tip.hickoryX2 +honey locust ,touch of black Walnut too.
 1]how can i fine tune this tiller to get it right?
 2]what's a ball park brace height for a bow like this?[6-7"?]
 it's my first attempt at an All Wood bow from scratch.all input is appreciated.Thanks
   (http://i408.photobucket.com/albums/pp164/Str8sh2ter/GUN%20PICS/Archery%20pics/100_1294_opt.jpg)

Title: Re: Fine tune this tillering job.
Post by: Leo L. on April 13, 2009, 10:47:00 AM

My inexperienced eye sees nothing wrong with the tiller.  Interested to see what others have to say.

Title: Re: Fine tune this tillering job.
Post by: Pat B on April 13, 2009, 10:55:00 AM

It looks fine to me. You shouldn't leave it on a stick like that too long. It puts an awful strain on a wood dow.
  I usually set my brace height with my fistmele...about 5 1/2" to 6" and fine tune from there.

Title: Re: Fine tune this tillering job.
Post by: str8sh2ter on April 13, 2009, 11:00:00 AM

thanks guys.the stick was maybe 3 mins. to take picture.Keep the input coming.

Title: Re: Fine tune this tillering job.
Post by: Pat B on April 13, 2009, 11:14:00 AM

Three or 4 seconds is too long in my opinion.
   How does she shoot? With wood bows, "perfection" is hard to achieve. If she shoots well, take her out and shoot the mess out of her. The proof is in the pudding!

Title: Re: Fine tune this tillering job.
Post by: str8sh2ter on April 13, 2009, 12:06:00 PM

I just roughed in the riser and shelf.I'm going to try her out now.

Title: Re: Fine tune this tillering job.
Post by: mwmwmb on April 13, 2009, 12:14:00 PM

Hey Pat, I am about to tiller my first board bow. what about on a tree how long should you look at it?

Title: Re: Fine tune this tillering job.
Post by: Pat B on April 13, 2009, 12:50:00 PM

Just long enough to get a good look. I usually exercise the limbs a bit on the tree before I give it a bend to look at the bend of the limbs. When I see a problen I mark it with a pencil, check it again and mark any problem spot(s). The longer you hold a wood bow the more stress you put on it and this can result in unwanted set or even a hinge in a weak area.

Title: Re: Fine tune this tillering job.
Post by: str8sh2ter on April 13, 2009, 12:53:00 PM

She shoots pretty good.I'm alittle surprised how well it shoots.I checked it again and it's actually around 40#.I missed my mark of 45-50# but not much to do now.All in all ,for the first attempt she's OK.
  how much #s would i gain if i shortened it to 66" tip to tip?

Title: Re: Fine tune this tillering job.
Post by: Eric Krewson on April 13, 2009, 01:23:00 PM

I have gained from 5 to 10 pounds by chopping off an inch.

Title: Re: Fine tune this tillering job.
Post by: str8sh2ter on April 13, 2009, 01:29:00 PM

Eric,thanks,Maybe i'll try that.I'll just have to glue new overlays on the tips.no big deal.I don't want to go any shorter though.It's got to draw 30' for the person that it's for.

Title: Re: Fine tune this tillering job.
Post by: Andrew Wesley on April 13, 2009, 09:36:00 PM

when doing a tiller it is good (from my experience) to have a grid behind the bow.. makes it easier to see flat spots when your eyes have a point of reference.

Title: Re: Fine tune this tillering job.
Post by: Bjorn on April 13, 2009, 09:43:00 PM

Rough in a second set of string grooves without cutting the bow at all. You don't need overlays till you are sure anyway.
When you are sure you found the spot you like then do the cutting and finishing.

Title: Re: Fine tune this tillering job.
Post by: tim roberts on April 13, 2009, 10:55:00 PM

One of Eric's Tillerin' Gizmos will help in the tillering process also.

Title: Re: Fine tune this tillering job.
Post by: Pat B on April 14, 2009, 12:04:00 AM

Bjorn makes a good point!

Title: Re: Fine tune this tillering job.
Post by: str8sh2ter on April 14, 2009, 08:17:00 AM

Thanks guys.Does anyone have a link to the gizzmo?

Title: Re: Fine tune this tillering job.
Post by: ranger 3 on April 14, 2009, 08:46:00 AM

It is in the How-To's

Title: Re: Fine tune this tillering job.
Post by: str8sh2ter on April 14, 2009, 09:00:00 AM

OK thanks

Title: Re: Fine tune this tillering job.
Post by: Leo L. on April 14, 2009, 09:59:00 AM

Tillering Gizmo
 http://tradgang.com/noncgi/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=2;t=000075

Title: Re: Fine tune this tillering job.
Post by: Leo L. on April 14, 2009, 10:02:00 AM

Evolution of Tillering Gizmo Build Along
 http://tradgang.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=125;t=001047;p=1

Title: Re: Fine tune this tillering job.
Post by: ALW on April 14, 2009, 12:29:00 PM

Great looking bow.  Be sure to post some pictures when you get her finished out.  Could you give us some details as to the lam thicknesses you used and the limb width?  I'm wanting to build one similar to that and I can use all the help I can get.  Thanks.

Aaron

Title: Re: Fine tune this tillering job.
Post by: str8sh2ter on April 14, 2009, 01:29:00 PM

Aaron.i must admit i just ripped the lams on a tablesaw.2 hickory around 1/8-3/16' ea. ,1 honey locust also around 3/16".i added a Walnut wedge in between the first hickory and the locust.it's a couple inches longer than the riser.I also just sanded it and eyeballed the tapers.nothing is too perfect but it tillered out Ok. i had limited tools available .next time i'll get more precise lams made.The riser is Walnut and Striped Maple glued up.
  It was my first attempt and a real "Seat of your pants" learn as you go build.It shoots pretty good  though.Good luck with your build.

Title: Re: Fine tune this tillering job.
Post by: Roy Steele on April 14, 2009, 06:08:00 PM

After I get the tiller close like your bow is.Start shooting it after a while(shooting)you'll start seeing the flat spots you missed no matter how close I think I have the tillering I always end up seeing some after shooting the bow awhile.Scrape them out and shoot somemore.
  And I agree with PAT it's not good to leave bow drawn for very long.The less stress you put on your limbs the better.The less set you will end up with.

Title: Re: Fine tune this tillering job.
Post by: str8sh2ter on April 14, 2009, 08:16:00 PM

thanks Roy.I'll be keeping an eye on the limbs and do as you suggest.