How does my tiller look?

[grouse11]

I know I have a long way to go but was hoping to get some feedback on my first osage selfbow. The bow is 62" ntn and I'm shooting for 50#@27. I know I have untrained eyes but it looks like I need to reduce mid limb of the right limb a little and the fade of the left limb? The left limb definitely isn't bending as much because the tip is off by a couple inches I think. I have it on the long string now. I know the tree isn't the best so it can be tough to tell.

Also one other question, how does a long string affect shown draw weight and how does it correlate to the draw weight on a braced bow? It is reading 27#@14 on the long string. Honestly the tips are lined up with the 6" mark so does that mean the bow in the pic is actually close to brace? If that's the case I will have to reduce A LOT!

[Roy from Pa]

Looks pretty decent..

[Mo_coon-catcher]

I say brace it and see where it sits. It looks pretty good to me. The left limb might show a bit strong, but you’ll know for sure once braced up.
 If the long string is tight up to the handle and not sagging much, (it doesn’t have to be under tension, just not sagging much) the draw weight to length will be within a pound or so once braced. So it will still read 24# at 14”. The difference is how it effects the bend of the limbs. Once braced there will be more bend in the outer half of the limbs compared to a long string tiller. So there will be less flex in the fades than there is showing on the long string.
You might hit the 50#mark but counting on a weight gain of about 2.2-2.5# per inch drawn, you’ll be right there come full draw if you don’t have to remove much todo any tiller corrections.  I also expect to lose about 2.5” worth of draw weight between final sanding and shooting in. So whatever weight I hit about 2.5” shy of my target draw length is about where it’ll be once shot in.

Hope that helps,
Kyle

[Pat B]

The right limb is bending more than the left. I'd get them bending evenly before bracing. Your readings can be off with a long string. Shorten the string as much as you can until you get 8" of so of tip movement. If both limbs are bending evenly then brace it and see how the string lines up and how the tiller looks.

[grouse11]

So I had a good bit of time today to work on this bow. I know slow and steady wins the race but everything was looking and feeling good and and I was just trting to gauge the bows reaction as I went. I ended up working on the left limb without touching the right. First pic is of the bow braced at 4" after doing some scraping. Left limb was still a little off.

I ended up scraping more on the left limb and bracing at 5". I then threw it on the tree and slowly exercised while gaining draw length. First pic is at 24"

Finally I worked to my target of 27" and amazingly ot was just a hair over 50#

I think the tiller looks pretty good. It at ill looks like the left limb isn't bending as much but I think part of that is a slight twist in the right limb near the fade and the fact that the limb tips each go a different direction. I didnt bring them back into alignment bexause the string goes right down the center of the handle. It has taken less than 1/2" of set so far.

I know it isnt perfect and there are improvements to be made on my next one. Its not finished yet. Will hopefully get the grip shaped tomorrow and then start on some finish sanding and eventually a tru-oil treatment.

Let me know what you think and all constructive criticism and advice is welcome!

[Mo_coon-catcher]

The tiller looks pretty good to me. Looks like it’s time to shoot in then doll up. You’ll have to give her a photo shoot once you get her all prettied up.

Kyle