I started my own selfbow this weekend from a hickory stave. Each fade is approximately 1 3/4" wide and 3/4" thick. It tapers down to 1/2" x 1/2" at the tips. Still feels pretty stiff. At what point can I stick a string on it and get it on the tillering stick? Can I start thinning out the edges and rounding down each limb? Up to this point it was pretty simple (I think) but this is where I dont want to mess up...
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Yoa7WlWTj6k/Tj8l4sf3-jI/AAAAAAAAAZg/R7A-mbgZnuI/s800/IMG_20110807_195403.jpg)
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-PpsJIqRduRE/Tj8lmhJwqiI/AAAAAAAAAZc/PfD9epcWRJ0/s800/IMG_20110807_195254.jpg)
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-M3lcrpb1T-s/Tj8ofOtyaoI/AAAAAAAAAaA/9trHI0oxlrE/s800/IMG_20110807_195415.jpg)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-fTptfG3-YM8/Tj8nbU8SEzI/AAAAAAAAAZ0/yfcj-JHzJQg/s800/IMG_20110807_195448.jpg)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-MVmlDQwbjn4/Tj8ms0-ox5I/AAAAAAAAAZs/_4RuVkuodjI/s800/IMG_20110807_195315.jpg)
Also...can I use paracord as a tillering string or does it need to be real string material?
You need to use a regular string for tillering, A paracord will stretch to much and give you a false reading.
Also I recommend having a look at Eric Krewsons Tillering gizmo thread.
You need to get it floor tillered before putting it on the long string and go to the short string as soon as possible
I the third pic looks like there are 2 islands of wood just below your hand right on the edge. My site may help. Jawge
http://georgeandjoni.home.comcast.net/~georgeandjoni/
Stay away from the 550 cord. I tried it myself
and never got it to brace off the bow. I took a string off a bow I had put it off and it braced up to about 4". As a long string it is ok but don't trust it for long.
I use para cord for a long string but have a long bow string with a timber hitch I use for the short string. Once I get to low brace height I make a string for that bow.
Read George's site!!!