Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: DC on October 26, 2014, 02:42:49 pm

Title: Tillering tree saddle
Post by: DC on October 26, 2014, 02:42:49 pm
Should the bow be solidly held in the saddle of the tree or free to rock? Pros and cons please. I'm thinking of making a solid one, but adjustable, so I can position the bow in the same place every time. I figure that if the handle is always in the same position and one limb starts to take some set or bend to much it would let me know which limb has the problem.
Title: Re: Tillering tree saddle
Post by: JoJoDapyro on October 26, 2014, 02:53:23 pm
I use a piece of saddle leather to secure my handle in the saddle.
Title: Re: Tillering tree saddle
Post by: Pat B on October 26, 2014, 02:56:55 pm
Some folks use a radiused bow rest on their tiller tree but mine is a straight end cut 2x4. No matter what you use a tiller tree rest is static whereas your hand is flexible. You will get a more realistic reading from a hand held bow than from the tree and I guess the radiused rest would be closer to the hand than a square cut rest.
 Sometimes I have to clamp the bow to the tree when long stringing it but once braced the bow will balance by itself on the tree. If it doesn't your tiller is probably way off. 
Title: Re: Tillering tree saddle
Post by: wizardgoat on October 26, 2014, 03:18:51 pm
Like pat mine is just the butt end of a 2x4. I have a little rounded piece of hardwood I use for bendy handle bows, and sometimes clamp it in place. After its brace, no clamp is usually needed
Title: Re: Tillering tree saddle
Post by: bubby on October 26, 2014, 04:07:42 pm
yeah mine is just a butt end of a 2x4, for staves that like to roll or with reflex I put the string on the tree and pull down on the handle section of the bow till brace, but I get mine almost to brace at floor tiller
Title: Re: Tillering tree saddle
Post by: Will H on October 26, 2014, 06:20:58 pm
I use a square end post down at twin oaks often. But at my own shop I have something a little different. Either way works just as well. I think my strap setup is a bit easier when dealing with already shaped/highly contoured grips.

(http://i1035.photobucket.com/albums/a439/willharrison347/902027AA-1F83-4BD3-B929-B982C43EC67A_zpsdx2slag6.jpg) (http://s1035.photobucket.com/user/willharrison347/media/902027AA-1F83-4BD3-B929-B982C43EC67A_zpsdx2slag6.jpg.html)

(http://i1035.photobucket.com/albums/a439/willharrison347/DAF8A3E0-39ED-494F-AE4F-F233AF45E866_zpsbjswqwcy.jpg) (http://s1035.photobucket.com/user/willharrison347/media/DAF8A3E0-39ED-494F-AE4F-F233AF45E866_zpsbjswqwcy.jpg.html)

(http://i1035.photobucket.com/albums/a439/willharrison347/CEC1479A-C867-4D4C-AD83-022FC9543E70_zpsuh69kfkp.jpg) (http://s1035.photobucket.com/user/willharrison347/media/CEC1479A-C867-4D4C-AD83-022FC9543E70_zpsuh69kfkp.jpg.html)
Title: Re: Tillering tree saddle
Post by: uncleduck on October 26, 2014, 06:28:09 pm
Nice setup Will
Title: Re: Tillering tree saddle
Post by: Gsulfridge on October 26, 2014, 09:00:32 pm
Sweet set-up Will.
Title: Re: Tillering tree saddle
Post by: Knoll on October 26, 2014, 09:04:27 pm
Sweet set-up Will.
+1
Title: Re: Tillering tree saddle
Post by: George Tsoukalas on October 27, 2014, 09:22:46 am
I used to clamp the stave in but now I let it rock but it does rest on a straight piece. Jawge
http://georgeandjoni.home.comcast.net/~georgeandjoni/index.html
Title: Re: Tillering tree saddle
Post by: Aaron H on October 27, 2014, 10:34:11 am
Great idea Will, do you have problems with your staves wanting to roll?
Title: Re: Tillering tree saddle
Post by: Del the cat on October 27, 2014, 10:40:04 am
Mine is curved with some sheet rubber glued on it.
IMO you want to mimic how the bows is supported in the hand and free to rock, not clamped solid.
Other people like it clamped. You pays your money you takes your choice.
I can see how camping lets you see how each limb is working more in isolation but to me it's not realistic, because nothing is isolated with a bow.
Del
Title: Re: Tillering tree saddle
Post by: simson on October 27, 2014, 10:48:02 am
Mine is almost same as WillH's setup
Title: Re: Tillering tree saddle
Post by: George Tsoukalas on October 27, 2014, 01:29:26 pm
Del, my hands are not made of rubber. LOL. :) Jawge
Title: Re: Tillering tree saddle
Post by: Will H on October 27, 2014, 07:57:02 pm
Falcon- not really. I only use my tree once the stave is braced. At which point it's almost impossible to do so. I can see how if you are using this type setup for long string tillering it could be an issue. I personally floor tiller by hand and brace it up. Bypassing long string. I also think that a static "tiller stick" is good for long string tillering, and we teach that method a lot down at Twin Oaks.
Title: Re: Tillering tree saddle
Post by: Aaron H on October 28, 2014, 06:59:18 am
Thanks Will, what kind of scale is that you are using, it looks nice
Title: Re: Tillering tree saddle
Post by: 4giveme on October 28, 2014, 08:17:50 am
I use a square end post down at twin oaks often. But at my own shop I have something a little different. Either way works just as well. I think my strap setup is a bit easier when dealing with already shaped/highly contoured grips.

Will, your tillering tree is a great idea, the free floating pivot point would solve a lot of issues that are created by putting all the pressure of pulling a bow on a fixed point. IMO, the strap would simulate the hand better. thanks for sharing :)
Title: Re: Tillering tree saddle
Post by: Jodocus on October 28, 2014, 05:20:04 pm
Mine is round. I don't really grab the bow when shooting, either
Title: Re: Tillering tree saddle
Post by: Danzn Bar on October 28, 2014, 08:39:29 pm
Will,
I can understand your concept and plan on modifying my tree to something like yours. did you buy or make your strap?
DBar
Title: Re: Tillering tree saddle
Post by: DC on October 28, 2014, 09:07:09 pm
I'm thinking a seatbelt would work. You could use the buckle to hold the bow. Cheap like borscht at a wrecker.
Title: Re: Tillering tree saddle
Post by: JoJoDapyro on October 29, 2014, 12:02:30 am
Having just moved my shop from the garage to the attic I also need to build a new one, and I am copying your idea Will. Thanks
Title: Re: Tillering tree saddle
Post by: Springbuck on November 02, 2014, 02:23:15 pm
  This has been an issue for me, too.  Bows have all different handle shapes. and I want to start with tips EXACTLY level, but I want to see if the bow wants to tilt one way or the other.

might go with the strap, but for now, I use a saddle made of 2x4 with slats that run up the sides a bit,  and shim it with dowels and leather chunks if I need to.
Title: Re: Tillering tree saddle
Post by: DC on November 02, 2014, 06:37:03 pm
This is what I came up with. The handle thingy is an eccentric mounted on a 1/2" maple axle. I can adjust it so the tips are level and will stay that way unless the tiller goes astray. I'm going to try this for a few bows and then try the strap.
Title: Re: Tillering tree saddle
Post by: Will H on November 03, 2014, 08:52:38 am
Dbar- I made mine. I used a piece of square tubing for the mount and the strap from an old ratchet strap. It suited my needs and I had the stuff laying around. Anything would do the same trick I reckon. I do feel the strap represents the bow hand well and if you'll notice I have a small piece of leather that goes on the string as well. It's designed to represent three fingers on the string. Once a bow is braced and goes in my tree I put a temporary nock point on (tape usually). That let's me orient my tiller fingers. It's a small difference, but a difference all the same. Nothing beats seeing a bow drawn in the hand but this is a close second IMHO
Title: Re: Tillering tree saddle
Post by: Pat B on November 03, 2014, 10:24:54 am
DC, that thing makes you look excited.  ;D
Title: Re: Tillering tree saddle
Post by: bow101 on November 03, 2014, 12:31:48 pm
Got your mind in the gutter Pat.  ::)
Title: Re: Tillering tree saddle
Post by: DC on November 03, 2014, 12:34:19 pm
DC, that thing makes you look excited.  ;D

It's been awhile since I was that excited :-\ :-\
Title: Re: Tillering tree saddle
Post by: Shaneisneato on November 03, 2014, 01:24:09 pm
Building my tillering tree tonight. Perfect time to see this thread.
Title: Re: Tillering tree saddle
Post by: Danzn Bar on November 03, 2014, 05:55:29 pm
Building my tillering tree tonight. Perfect time to see this thread.

Hope your using protection....... :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:
DBar

Pat B.....your a bad influence on me.   :) ;)
DBar
Title: Re: Tillering tree saddle
Post by: Danzn Bar on November 03, 2014, 06:14:00 pm
Thanks Will
I guess you sewed the strap together to make it that short. Thanks again I'm modifying my set up that way and I have all ready started using your "tillering tab". very neat really helps if you cant take pictures.  I think it your right, it is a very close second.
DBar
Title: Re: Tillering tree saddle
Post by: Shaneisneato on November 03, 2014, 06:22:45 pm
Building my tillering tree tonight. Perfect time to see this thread.

Hope your using protection....... :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:
DBar

Pat B.....your a bad influence on me.   :) ;)
DBar

  :laugh:

I'll make sure I do. haha
Title: Re: Tillering tree saddle
Post by: JoJoDapyro on November 04, 2014, 09:19:50 am
Thanks Will
I guess you sewed the strap together to make it that short. Thanks again I'm modifying my set up that way and I have all ready started using your "tillering tab". very neat really helps if you cant take pictures.  I think it your right, it is a very close second.
DBar

The ratchet side of the strap on the larger ones has a bolt running through the ratchet and strap. No sewing required. I'll get mine up tonight and post some photos as well.
Title: Re: Tillering tree saddle
Post by: Will H on November 04, 2014, 01:13:58 pm
What JoJo said Dbar. I just drilled some holes in the square tube for the bolt and made a notch for the hook to seat. I ain't much on sewing  :o
Title: Re: Tillering tree saddle
Post by: Danzn Bar on November 04, 2014, 06:50:07 pm
Thanks guys......I'll do some looking around
DBar
Title: Re: Tillering tree saddle
Post by: bushboy on November 04, 2014, 06:55:28 pm
Floor tiller, tiller by brace and feel and have fun!