Stave press with a winch.tiller tree

[Pete W]

I have been using the Stave Press since reviewing it and I think it's great. I have been having some dificulty with tiller tree's , or a place to mount one so I can draw the bow with a rope and scale.
 Yesterday I got an Idea that workes great. I made up 2x6 to hold the bow and slid it in the Stave press with a rope and pulley at the other end. This worked pretty good as a portable  tiller tree, but it was awkward.
 Reading the "pillar tiller" thread got the grey matter thinking, about how easy it would be to hold the bow at low draw length's in the early stages. Now I have a boat hand winch bolted to the top of the Stave Press, so I can draw it those first few inches with the tiller string, hold it and make adjustments, or exercise it with the winch. The winch cost $10 bucks and was just sitting in the shop.
 In free wheel mode I use the winch and a scale hooked to the string to draw it  for making adjustments as needed.

This is set up horizontal now, but before the day is out I will have a second post welded to the Stave Press to be able to mount it vertical in it's base.
 Being able to do the first stages of tiller like the Pillar Tiller thread shows was a big time saver. I will get a photo later today.
 Pete

[Pete W]

No pipe in the shop to make the second leg for vertical use yet, but here is a photo of it in the horizontal position.    Face book photo

[mwosborn]

Looks like it will work.  Cool.

[Pat B]

Pete, my only concern about a set up like this is that the bow is held statically while you have it cranked with the winch unless you leave the latch unlatched while working the stave. Later in the tillering process it isn't a big problem(see Sweating discussion) but until you are sure both limbs are bending evenly and together you could add unnecessary stress to an uneducated bow.
  I don't like seeing a winch or even pegs on a tillering tree because of the same thing. Working the rope by hand allows you to see the bend of the bow without holding it statically on the tree.

[Pete W]

Good words of caution.Thanks

I did use the lock in the very early long string stages, but just for a few seconds in the first couple inches of bending..  I need to fill the spool up so it goes faster,and with fewer  cranks.It does return rather quick, judging by the handle speed.    That handle will get your attention if you are not paying atention.

I am tillering now with a normal string and it is convenient to be able to draw the bow about to 8" or 9 " for string clearence and do some scraping while it is in the tree then exercise it some.

[George Tsoukalas]

That's the way I do it but I use a woodworker's vice. Be sure the top of the 2 x 6 is immobile. Also make sure the press is clamped and reinforced. Jawge

[George Tsoukalas]

I don't use a winch either. Just a single pulley, a scale and me. Jawge