Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: The beginner bowyer on December 26, 2020, 05:34:33 pm

Title: Tillering issues
Post by: The beginner bowyer on December 26, 2020, 05:34:33 pm
So I’m finally at the tillering  process for the bow I’m working on and this issue I’m running into is one limb has a nice consistent curve throughout from hand to tip but the other side it looks like it’s bending from the top of the handle the first few inches then there’s a section that it’s just kinda flat no matter how much I take away from that spot the limb dosnt really have a smooth bend to it and I feel like I’m doing something wrong and am afraid to go further because it’s already got a lower draw weight then I was hoping for any suggestions as to what might be going on?
Title: Re: Tillering issues
Post by: Whiskeyjet on December 26, 2020, 05:52:02 pm
Can you share some pics?
Title: Re: Tillering issues
Post by: Pat B on December 26, 2020, 07:44:48 pm
Are you exercising the limbs between wood removal sessions?
Title: Re: Tillering issues
Post by: The beginner bowyer on December 26, 2020, 07:58:20 pm
Yes I will string it and draw it about 5 times
Title: Re: Tillering issues
Post by: The beginner bowyer on December 26, 2020, 08:00:33 pm
Can you share some pics?
Title: Re: Tillering issues
Post by: Digital Caveman on December 26, 2020, 08:30:03 pm
What does the unbraced profile look like?  Sometimes a spot of reflex in the stave will look flat when bent.
Title: Re: Tillering issues
Post by: The beginner bowyer on December 26, 2020, 08:40:21 pm
Unstrung  pics ignor the Christmas boxes haha
Title: Re: Tillering issues
Post by: Morgan on December 26, 2020, 08:47:30 pm
To me, it looks like the bend is isolated to 5-7” off the fades. Limb on left bending slightly in the outer half but right limb not bending at all there. If it was mine, I’d attack the outside half of both limbs right probably twice as much as left before I bent it more. If you’re underweight now, you’re gonna lose quite a bit more getting that even, but you can still get a shooter with long life out of the deal.
Title: Re: Tillering issues
Post by: Morgan on December 26, 2020, 08:51:58 pm
Also, Eric’s tillering gizmo is the easiest thing to make and will be the most valueable tool you have when learning to make a bow bend even. It will show you what your eyes don’t yet see.
Title: Re: Tillering issues
Post by: bentstick54 on December 26, 2020, 09:02:57 pm
Take a photo of it unstrung setting on your tillering stick just like your braced profile so we can compare the two that way.
Title: Re: Tillering issues
Post by: The beginner bowyer on December 26, 2020, 10:05:39 pm
To me, it looks like the bend is isolated to 5-7” off the fades. Limb on left bending slightly in the outer half but right limb not bending at all there. If it was mine, I’d attack the outside half of both limbs right probably twice as much as left before I bent it more. If you’re underweight now, you’re gonna lose quite a bit more getting that even, but you can still get a shooter with long life out of the deal.
ok so just keep working those outside parts and I have a tillering gizmo i. Been using and this a ton of help I just feel like iv been taking a ton off and wanted some out side help you have all been great thank you so much
Title: Re: Tillering issues
Post by: The beginner bowyer on December 26, 2020, 10:06:39 pm
Take a photo of it unstrung setting on your tillering stick just like your braced profile so we can compare the two that way.

 I’ll take one when I’m at my work area again didn’t even think about that hindsight’s 20/20 haha
Title: Re: Tillering issues
Post by: Digital Caveman on December 27, 2020, 08:03:36 am
I keep hearing about a tillering gizmo; I may have already asked this, but what is it?  How do you make one?

Thanks,
Title: Re: Tillering issues
Post by: Morgan on December 27, 2020, 11:49:18 am
I keep hearing about a tillering gizmo; I may have already asked this, but what is it?  How do you make one?

Thanks,
Tillering gizmo is a small block of wood with a nut inlaid into it to accept a pencil to be screwed through it. You use it to find flat spots and make your bend even. If you do a google search of this site you will find a lot about it. Eric Krewson come up with it.
Title: Re: Tillering issues
Post by: Digital Caveman on December 27, 2020, 11:56:03 am
Good idea. It sounds like it would work best on straight staves. 
Title: Re: Tillering issues
Post by: Pat B on December 27, 2020, 12:39:02 pm
Exercise it 20 to 30 times between each wood removal but only pull it as far as it has been tillered to. If the bend is uneven get both limbs bending evenly and together before pulling it farther.
Title: Re: Tillering issues
Post by: Digital Caveman on December 27, 2020, 01:12:06 pm
I agree with Pat (though the value of my advice pales in comparison with his experience ;D)

Pat, after you respond to this post you will be just 48 posts short of 35,000.  I feel that is a record.
Title: Re: Tillering issues
Post by: Eric Krewson on December 28, 2020, 07:24:33 am
Here you go on the gizmo;

It is in the how to section;

http://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/index.php/topic,61422.0.html
Title: Re: Tillering issues
Post by: Digital Caveman on December 28, 2020, 10:11:54 am
Thanks!