Going from tiller string to stringing the bow

[razorsharptokill]

The Osage selfbow that I am working on now is past floor tiller and with a tillering string I can pull it to about 35 lbs at 12" or basically just past a strung profile. Is it ready for a short string? I cant string it without a bow stringer though. When strung I only have it at about 3" of brace and only long enough to look at the tiller. It is 57" NTN after I flipped the tips. 50-55lbs is my goal weight.

[Pat B]

As long as everything is good you can go to the regular string now. As soon as I see that the string lines up at low brace I'm ready for the regular string.

[razorsharptokill]

I had one tip that was about 1/4 tp 3/8 out to one side. I heated and bent it last night to bring it back to center before I continue. The string centered the handle but the offending tip was obviously out a little. the string tracked off center at the tip.

My draw is 27", the limbs are about 1 3/4" wide until 8" from the tip, 1/2" there and it's 57 ntn. I'm off work tomorrow so I plan on getting back after it in the morning. Here is a pic of it before floor tiller and while I induced some reflex.

[Badger]

  When it is pulling 50#@ about 22"  I would brace it.

[razorsharptokill]

Why so late? To keep from stressing the limbs I assume?

[Marc St Louis]

I don't brace until I get to at least 19" with a long string

[bjrogg]

Why so late? To keep from stressing the limbs I assume?

I'm curious about that one to Badger. I normally go to regular string as soon as I can. I will say though. I like that unstrung profile, but it can be a bit intimidating stringing it until you get use to it. I don't use a stringer. I know a person could certainly do some damage if they weren't very careful.
Bjrogg
Just noticed your post to Marc. Any particular reason?

[bradsmith2010]

well that comes out to about 75# @ 28,,,
I think no need to string it till you take a bit off,,

[Badger]

Why so late? To keep from stressing the limbs I assume?

  That is about 15# heavy. I just don't like to brace them too early. Not saying it hurts anything, I feel like 5 or 6" gives me plenty of time to fine tune the shape I am after

[bjrogg]

I guess maybe because my draw is so short mostly, I usually try to get to low brace as soon as I can. If I go to 22" I've only got two inches to get to my draw length.lol. I certainly agree with you though it is very possible to put unwanted stress on it stringing it.
Bjrogg

[George Tsoukalas]

I basically do what you did but I look to get bow weight at 10" for a 26" draw and I also look for good limb bending. If there is a significant amount of reflex I add that to the 10".

You didn't mention your draw length.

Jawge

[Marc St Louis]

Around 20" with a long string equals brace height with a short string for me.  I can then brace and have very little tillering left to do.

[aaron]

I do like Badger does. keep it on a long string until around 20 inches

[razorsharptokill]

 I got her strung. Got it to 47 at 24".  Shooting for 27". Had to address the fades as they weren't bending much. Scraped them some more, tiller gizmo'd the limbs at 16", scraped some more... repeat....

I need to align one tip.. again. Just a little outside center. Needed to take a break. I don't know where the time went! Six hours later I have this. Tiller tree pic was before I worked on the fades.

[razorsharptokill]

Some things will make you say a bad word... this is on the lower limb belly. Looks like a slight violation on the edge. I was shooting it and noticed it. Never heard anything, not tick or pop. It just appeared. Doesn't run through to the back. Strung it again, shot some super glue in there, and clamped it. It appears that it isn't very deep. I have come to expect this sort of thing......

It looks fatal to me. Not sure if backing it with raw hide would do any good. Oppinions?