Board Bow Tillering Out A Bit Of Twist

ChristopherO · September 02, 2007, 12:10:00 AM

Working over a piece of red oak this afternoon and am just starting to tiller it. Noticed a twist taking shape on the upper limb about 1/2 way out and on toward the tip. There is still wood to shave off the limbs at this point so I suppose that if I carefully remove wood off the strong side/low side it should clean right up. Am I heading in the right direction?
Thanks

BamBooBender · September 02, 2007, 12:25:00 AM

Yep, take wood (slowly)off the strong(thicker ) side. Are you going flat belly or rounded?

ChristopherO · September 02, 2007, 01:15:00 AM

I'm trying to make it simi rounded. Thanks for the advice.

ChristopherO · September 02, 2007, 08:01:00 AM

Let me reword this so I don't make a SNAFU. I am thinking the stronger side of the limb is the edge that is higher than the other edge of the limb. In my mind the weaker I make the wood the more bend it will have resulting in it bending down when strung than staying high or twisting up. So please correct me if I am wrong but the edge of the limb that is twisted higher than the other is the side to remove wood from the belly.
I will take any and all suggestions so this bow has a fighting chance. It's try number 4, by the way.

BamBooBender · September 02, 2007, 11:05:00 AM

QuoteI am thinking the stronger side of the limb is the edge that is higher than the other edge of the limb.

If you're looking at the belly of the bow thats right.

George Tsoukalas · September 02, 2007, 09:02:00 PM

The strongest side is the side furthest from the string in the strung bow. Remove wood from that side. Jawge

BamBooBender · September 02, 2007, 10:46:00 PM

DOH! Jawge is right. Don't know what I was thinking.

ChristopherO · September 03, 2007, 03:04:00 PM

That is what I was trying to say, George, but you used the right amount of words to convey it.

Truth of the matter is that I whittled the stick down to a 30 pounder trying to remove the propeller looking limbs but it didn't work. I found my library copy of TTB's Bible to reread the chapter on Tillering and this situation is addressed and Jim recommends to ignore the twist and shoot it just like it is. So I tried it out this morning and, weak draw weight and all, and was suprised that it shot as well as it did. Next time I will leave well enough alone!
NEXT...

George Tsoukalas · September 03, 2007, 09:22:00 PM

Christopher, Jim Hamm says that for a naturally twisted stave and I agree. However, boards that twist are usually caused by uneven wood removal and can and should be fixed. Best thing to do is to peek at both sides of the limb as you remove wood. That way you'll notice the twist before it starts or is too difficult to fix. jawge