Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Rcdeer on September 23, 2012, 01:28:59 pm
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got a question if I may... bought a hickory bow that was heavier than bow I use for vous an normal shooting,,figured heavier draw for deer not a bad idea,,jus noticed yesterday that top limb has nice gentle bend to it, while bottom limb goes the has a noticable much sharper bend..will this effect shooting,,it seems the poundage is the same, draw wise..but like to use this for hunting but jus doesn't look right,,never noticed this before an had the bow since early spring although haven't shot it much..anyone know how much if any effect this will have? thanks!
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It sounds like you might have a hinge in the bottom limb. That could be bad news for the bow. Can you post a picture?
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sent email....not sure how to post here
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create a photobucket acct, upload pics, view album, hover over pic you want, a list of options will appear, left click on the bottom url (says "img code" next to it). Then you can paste the url into the msg :D
I'd like to see a pic too, could be outta tiller or hinged, or could even be it's made for a different wrist style than you're using, or a combination ;)
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(http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s132/rcdeer55/bentbow007_zps32c41d55.jpg)
(http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s132/rcdeer55/bentbow006_zps1f31ff12.jpg)
(http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s132/rcdeer55/bentbow005_zps82eeb214.jpg)
(http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s132/rcdeer55/bentbow001_zps598a5539.jpg)
Hope this works best I can do...
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It is somewhat out of tiller but not terribly so. If it were my bow I would lighten up the top limb somewhat. But it does not appear to be fatal.
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I like that news... thanks! as far me tillering it...I think it's in bad enough shape already!
this will not effect shooting?
again thanks!
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The bend in the stiff limb looks pretty smooth. I would start by taking 5 long even scrapes with a scraper, exercise it well and check it again. If necessary take 5 more scrapes, exercise it and check again until it is right. What does full draw look like?
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hmm.....no idea at full draw..not sure abut me tryin this scrape thing....sounds too easy lol..you'd scrape the whole limb from riser out?
gees..scary
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Agree with Pat. The bend looks good. I don't want to answer for him, but yes, scrape the entire limb stem to stern 5 times then exercise it good, then check the tiller. You just want it to even out weight wise with the other limb, not change the smooth arch in any one spot.
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Just what I'd do SlimBob. ;)
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okay,,could someone define "scraper" for me..? one of them words could describe a number of tools..thanks! I really really don't wanna mess this up... :-[
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There are all kinds of scrapers being used for this purpose. In essence, a blade type tool that shaves wood from the belly just as a razor would shave stubble from your chin, same visual. I use a draw knife, others use cabinet scrapers and a host of other tools. A knife will work fine. 6" blade or bigger. Sharp. Just hold it at a right angle to the belly, and shave from just outside the fade down toward the tip, just like you would shave your face. It will shave little ribbons of wood off the belly. touch it up with a little sanding.
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Mak zig-zag pencil lines all over the belly of the stiff limb, side to side, full length. Scrape off the pencil lines, check your tiller, scribble in some more lines and repeat. This will keep you from taking off more on one side of the limb than the other as well as make you go SLOWLY on your wood removal
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Mak zig-zag pencil lines all over the belly of the stiff limb, side to side, full length. Scrape off the pencil lines, check your tiller, scribble in some more lines and repeat. This will keep you from taking off more on one side of the limb than the other as well as make you go SLOWLY on your wood removal
good advise right there
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I would try heat treating the lower belly lightly. What's the finish on the bow?
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okie...guess find a "light"scraper..rather scrape 10 lil's than 1 oops! finish on bow is cloth backing w/ titebond 2....jus a regular stain on inside...thanks people!
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Can I suggest you just leave it like it is?
I built a pretty Hickory longbow a number of years ago and the lower limb did just what you have there after shooting quite a few arrows. The bow shot fast and sweet but I could not let well enough alone. Long story short that bow is toast now due to my "revamp" session. Sometimes a not so perfect looking but a good shooting bow is a great weapon all in its self. My $0.02.
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Chris,,,my first worry was safety..not sure if it was a ready to break thing or jus a "wood occurrence"...I think I'll shoot it some more if it seems okay I'll let it be,,, really don't wanna screw up a usable bow..but when I grow up..i'm gettin a real one lol thanks all!
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An alternative to scraping is to use 120 grit sandpaper wrapped around a wooden block. It's a bit slower than scraping, but still a safe way to slowly change tiller.
When I first started reading this post I dropped to a knee and quick made a prayer that you had not gotten a hold of one of my bows somehow. Whew.
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I use an orbital sander for my final tillering. It is a real good way to remove those pencil lines, I use 180 grit paper.
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I'll admit to using my DeWalt quarter sheet sander for final tillering adjustments, too. But I feel very guilty and un-Primitive for doing it. The shame can only be removed with cold, frosty, amber liquid.
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It's common for wooden bows to develop more set in the lower limb, since that limb takes more stress while being drawn in the hand (as opposed to most tillering tree setups). The lower the heel of the hand holding the bow drops, the more the center of balance shifts, causing the lower limb to have to bend more at full draw. Most of us will leave the bottom limb stronger (creating a "positive tiller") to counteract this. I always advice a high-heel grip, very similar to that of Fred Asbell. This creates a more symmetrical fulcrum point and stress load between the limbs. (Interestingly, some traditional archers/bowyers actually flip their bow over when this problem develops, thus making the top limb the bottom and visa versa. It isn't always feasible, but sometimes is a quick and effective solution.)
That said, the advice given is good...slow wood removal over the length of the upper limb. If using a scraper, I find it best to pull it along the belly at a 45 degree angle to avoid creating, and eventually deepening, chatter marks. Switch the angle as you go. Also, the more you hold the scraper blade a 90 degrees perpendicular to the bow, the more prone to chatter marks you'll be. These are not only unsightly, but problematic over time.
Sure hope that helps!
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thinkin,,if its safe leaving as is for now..see if it changes in anyway,,,but my next question is will scraping sanding lessen the draw weight? almost seems it'd have to....but by alot? little?
thanks again!
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Any wood you remove will lessen the draw weight some. If you're close to the weight you want, go REALLY slowly removing wood and check frequently It's very easy to remove just a little more than you mean to (not that I'd ever do something like that ;) ).