Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Groucho on July 03, 2025, 07:22:38 pm
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I haven't been on this forum in many years but I'm back to bow making. Working on an osage self-bow and plan to reflex the tips. One of the limbs has more backset than the other and in tillering I think I'm taking off too much from the backset limb. It's getting thinner than the other limb. Should I heat the backset out? Thanks for the advice!
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Hey Groucho, welcome back! Id say the limb with the arrow looks good, the other limb is bending too much in the inner limbs. Are you at full draw yet?
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Thanks Sleek, I didn't think of that. It's not at full draw yet, actually I haven't braced it yet. I think I'll brace it and look at it again.
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Id get that left limb bending better past the fades so its not hinged before I braced it. Otherwise you will stress that hinge too much.
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Your side layout is "iffy", very uneven.
If you draw side lines that are the same on all 4 sides you will have much less trouble matching your limbs.
Like this; I drop my line 1/16" every 6" as I go to the tip. The bellies of my bows are slightly rounded and get almost round near the tip.
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Are the growth rings thicker on one limb vs the other? If so on some bows I have built one limb will be thicker.
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That’s almost always the case on a stave almost always root end has largely grown than leaf end, that’s why sister billets are preferred if you like to splice. I don’t pay much attention to thickness after lay out, just tiller . Pappy
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Good point pappy and Arvin. Growth rings thickness can play tricks. Another option to consider is to get some heat applied to the weaker limb inners. Pay attention to any characteristic humps and bumps on the back to mirror those on the belly. Use your finger calipers to feel it better then the eye can see. This carefull attention to this will give a consistent even bend no matter the character if any. Best of luck and welcome back to AA. Archery Anonymous😁