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Main Boards => The Bowyer's Bench => Topic started by: snag on June 26, 2016, 09:33:00 PM

Title: Selfbow tillering
Post by: snag on June 26, 2016, 09:33:00 PM
So, now that I have scaled back a little in my arrowbuilding I pulled an Osage bow out to finish. It is pulling 30#@18" and has a pretty nice bend to it now. I am going for at least 55#@ 27". Can't remember how much poundage you gain per inch of draw?
Title: Re: Selfbow tillering
Post by: mwosborn on June 26, 2016, 10:41:00 PM
I can vary a bit for sure, but 2 to 2.5 pounds per inch is a general rule.
Title: Re: Selfbow tillering
Post by: snag on June 26, 2016, 10:57:00 PM
....not what I wanted to hear...another under 55# bow. Better start another one.
Title: Re: Selfbow tillering
Post by: rainman on June 27, 2016, 01:47:00 AM
How long is the stave? You can pike it and gain around 5 lbs per inch, if it is long enough.
Title: Re: Selfbow tillering
Post by: snag on June 27, 2016, 09:01:00 AM
Have to check on that Rainman. Guess I could cut off an inch...
Title: Re: Selfbow tillering
Post by: Eric Krewson on June 27, 2016, 09:11:00 AM
I was shooting a tournament with a friend who had bought a Ryan Gill bow as well as his video on bow making. My friend pointed out a deflex in the handle of the bow he bought and said that Ryan stated in the video one could pick up 5 or 6 pounds on an under poundage bow by deflexing the handle slightly with steam.
Title: Re: Selfbow tillering
Post by: Pat B on June 27, 2016, 11:32:00 AM
Tempering the belly will raise the weight a bit too and if you add some reflex at the time you can get a few more pounds.
Title: Re: Selfbow tillering
Post by: mikkekeswick on June 27, 2016, 01:14:00 PM
Yes I would start another too. Those weight estimations are fine if your bow happened to be tillered well enough at 18 to be pulled to 27 without any stiff or weak spots appearing along the way. Factor in that you will likely have to round the edges off and the belly will lose a bit of resistance to bending as its pulled further. I'd save this one for a 40 - 45# intended weight bow.
As a general tip make sure you pull the bow to its finished weight all the way through tillering as long as the tiller is good enough. This way you will never end up chasing weight.
Title: Re: Selfbow tillering
Post by: EwokArcher on June 27, 2016, 03:28:00 PM
Quote
Originally posted by Eric Krewson:
I was shooting a tournament with a friend who had bought a Ryan Gill bow as well as his video on bow making. My friend pointed out a deflex in the handle of the bow he bought and said that Ryan stated in the video one could pick up 5 or 6 pounds on an under poundage bow by deflexing the handle slightly with steam.
Don't you mean reflexing  at the handle? A reflex at the handle would add early poundage, and performance if done properly.
And I do agree with Mike, that's how I tiller my wood bows also.
Title: Re: Selfbow tillering
Post by: Eric Krewson on June 27, 2016, 05:10:00 PM
Yep, reflexing, I have senior moments more often these days.
Title: Re: Selfbow tillering
Post by: Roy from Pa on June 27, 2016, 06:35:00 PM
I understand Eric.
Title: Re: Selfbow tillering
Post by: Dan Landis on June 27, 2016, 06:47:00 PM
Been there a few times myself Eric.
Title: Re: Selfbow tillering
Post by: Roy from Pa on June 27, 2016, 08:41:00 PM
Like why did I come out here.
LOL
Title: Re: Selfbow tillering
Post by: George Tsoukalas on June 27, 2016, 09:05:00 PM
snag, I'd finish the bow.
Jawge
Title: Re: Selfbow tillering
Post by: Walt Francis on June 27, 2016, 09:27:00 PM
Dave,
Finish the bow, take your time tillering, go slow.  You know, to put in a Fletchers terms, treat it like you are slicing feathers together.

Most of my bows hit the long string at 40-45#'s @ 20 inches and come out at 55-70#'s.  There is still a lot of room there but you have to maintain a good tiller all the way through. Leave the tips stiff, cut them off a couple of inches, and then heat some bend into them, if needed.  This shortens the working section of the limb and you can gain some extra weight but also puts more stress on it.  I had to do all three to make Pigger, and it became my all time favorite hunting bow.
Title: Re: Selfbow tillering
Post by: snag on June 27, 2016, 11:26:00 PM
Thanks guys. It's 64" ntn. I think I'll take 1/2" off each end. Some heat and flipping the tips a bit, then tiller out.
Title: Re: Selfbow tillering
Post by: PEARL DRUMS on June 28, 2016, 03:19:00 PM
I wouldn't hesitate to take 1" off each end, if need be. 62" ntn is plenty of osage for a 27" draw. I usually get closer to 3# per inch. I use a digital scale and trust it completely. Flipping tips will add a good 5# usually. I see no reason you cant reason your way through this and get exactly what you want Dave.
Title: Re: Selfbow tillering
Post by: Roy from Pa on June 28, 2016, 03:50:00 PM
X's 2 on what Pearly said.
Title: Re: Selfbow tillering
Post by: snag on June 28, 2016, 10:08:00 PM
That's good encouragement. Thanks. Cut an inch off each end last night...