Tiller check - Pyramid Maple Bow

[Jake Spoon]

Hello all,

I have been working on tillering this maple board bow. It is 66" ntn, 1.75" at the fades, tapering to 1/2" tips.

It is currently drawing about 32# at 16". I'm at a point where I have to call it quits for the weekend, and I was hoping I could get a few more eyes to look this thing over. To my inexperienced self, I believe the mid/outer limbs are too stiff, particularly on the left hand side.

Also, there is a bit of a twist on the right side that I need to address.

Would you care to give me some feedback on this before I proceed later this week? I really would appreciate it!

- Jake

[Pappy]

To be honest it looks pretty good to me, I would carry on if it was mine.
 Pappy

[WhistlingBadger]

Alright, I am terrible at tillering, but for the sake of learning:  The left limb looks perfect to me, and the right looks good too, but they don't quite match.  Is the inner right limb a little stiff?  That's where I'd remove a bit of wood.  Curious what everybody else says.

But when in doubt, go with what Pappy says.   

[bjrogg]

I think I agree with your assessment.

I also agree with Pappy. I think the tiller looks pretty good so far. I think you are on the right track.

Does seem to me that mid and outer a little stiff left limb. Maybe just outer right. It looks really close.

Bjrogg

[superdav95]

I think I agree with your assessment.

I also agree with Pappy. I think the tiller looks pretty good so far. I think you are on the right track.

Does seem to me that mid and outer a little stiff left limb. Maybe just outer right. It looks really close.

Bjrogg

+1.  Mid and outers on left just a little. 

[Kidder]

+2 for right limb mid and outer being stiff.

[willie]

differences in bend are not easy to spot in the "whole" sometimes but become easier with tracing techniques
examples
make tracings of the back on cardboard behind the tillertree
compare segments of the limb with a straight edge
flip the bow end for end and view the bow against the tracing

make a tracing of the bow at rest in order to monitor set as you tiller out further

[WhistlingBadger]

differences in bend are not easy to spot in the "whole" sometimes but become easier with tracing techniques
examples
make tracings of the back on cardboard behind the tillertree
compare segments of the limb with a straight edge
flip the bow end for end and view the bow against the tracing

make a tracing of the bow at rest in order to monitor set as you tiller out further

If I ever get my garage cleaned up enough to move my tree inside, I really want to put a grid on the wall behind it.  I think that would be a lot easier.  It makes me appreciate our ancestors who could do this basically just with floor tillering.  I have a terrible time seeing anything like this that way.  It must take a ton of experience.

[Will B]

I agree with pappy and think it looks good. I would continue on and best of luck with it.

[Jake Spoon]

Thanks everyone for the input!

I worked a little bit this evening on trying to get everything evened up.

Here's the current progress.

[superdav95]

looking good!  looks better to my eye

[Pappy]

Looks like you got it a little father out, looking very good to these old eyes.  Slow and easy.
 Pappy

[Pat B]

Looking good to me too. If you haven't chosen a top/bottom limb yet I'd say the left limb looks a bit stiffer so it could be the bottom.

[NonBacked]

Jake, your bow’s tiller is certainly good enough to move forward. You haven’t told us what your goal is for draw length or draw weight. If you’re planning on a 40 or 45lb bow, it’s time to pull it to that weight. If there are “small” tiller tweaks that could be made, the additional strain will help identify those areas. You’re doing a good job and I’m sure you’ll have a lot of fun with your bow.

[medicinewheel]

Does seem to me that mid and outer a little stiff left limb. Maybe just outer right. It looks really close.

+1

Left is lower limb I reckon?