Osage Tiller Advise (updated)

[bigcountry]

Ok, so I started a new Osage.  Pure pyamid design going 1.75" to 3/8" tips, 4" handle and 2" fades.  This stave has a lot of natural deflex, and I am wondering if I should flip the tips now or wait until after tiller?

Here is some pictures of long string.  This is usally where I mess up and make the bow too light.  Because of the deflex on the Right limb, I am confused on where I should proceed.  Any thoughts?

Here she is unbraced
 

Here she is with about 4" of limb travel on long string
   

Here she is with 6" of limb travel on long string
 

And here she is with 8"
 

[Dano]

She looks good to me, I'd put a short string on her and see how it looks. I usually wait to flip tips till after I get her tillered.

[bigcountry]

Thanks Dano.  I think I am making the mistake of trying to get even bends on long string and then end up trying to fix weak points midlimb when its strung and end up under poundage.  

I am going to back this one with rawhide as this is a stave that has a few back checks from keeping in my room with a wood stove.  Fortunately none are running off the side. I filled them with super glue a few months ago, but would feel better with a little protection.

[Pat B]

I'm with Dano. Go to the short string.

[bigcountry]

Ok, fellas made alot of headway tonight fairly pleased but very careful on feeling good.  I just didn't feel comfortable going past 24" until I got some more eyes to look at it.  I am keeping the last 8" of tips stiff because I plan to flip them.  She is at 36lbs at 24".  I might make 50lbs at 29".  Not sure.  Let me know what you think.  How should I proceed?

Here is a pic of the front profile
 

Here she is Braced.
 

And to 19"
 


Little more to 22".
 

Here she pulled to 24".  To me looks good and need some more eyes to look at it.
 

[razorback]

Looks real good to me. Right limb looks a tad stronger but that couled just be the angle or you can make that the bottom limb. I wish mine looked that good.

[bigcountry]

I think I need to remove some material right at the fade on the left side.

Razor, I wish I had your reflex.  Did you see how much deflex this one naturally has?  I thought yours was looking pretty good besides that weak spot on the left right out of the fade.  Have you got a string on her yet?

[John Scifres]

Very nice tiller.

[bigcountry]

Originally posted by John Scifres:
Very nice tiller.

John, I follow your work closely, and like it. I used the faceted method you pointed me too, and have to admit, its much easier than dead flat belly.

Can you suggest how I proceed?  This bow has two long checks on the back.  None run of the side. I filled with superglue a few months ago.  Little snakey in some areas and I tried to go around those knots.  Bottom line is I don't trust the back.  So I am going to rawhide.

When a bowyer gets to this stage, and he has looked his tiller over at 24" and no hinges or flat spots jump out, should he go another 1 or 2 inches and look it over again, and keep on until 28" or 29" in my case?
 
Or should I put on a stick and use the tillering gizmo at 20".  I hate holding at long draws on the stick.

I am fairly excited about this bow and don't want to get my hopes up.

[John Scifres]

Rawhide is easy and cheap.  

At this point, pull to draw weight and check tiller.  You won't do any damage since it's bending so well.  All you are trying to do now is hit weight.  I generally take 20 even full-length scrapes and then exercise by pulling to weight 30 times.  Check tiller , adjust as needed and then do it again until I am at target weight at 1-2" short of target draw.  Then I shoot it at that draw 20-50 times.  Recheck tiller and weight and sand it out.  You'll be darn close to weight at draw then.  

The final check of tiller is shooting it.  If I can't get it to shoot well; draw evenly, not kick like crap, no weird feelings on release, then it's not done.  I'll generally tweak the tiller a bit on the upper limb until it feels good.  That part is purely subjective though.  If you can't get it to feel perfect, just shoot a real heavy aroow  

[bigcountry]

Thanks John and thanks for turning me on to this tiller method.  I think I might be a tad underwieght.  So tonight I am going to grease up and dry heat the last 8" and flip them 2-3".  Not a recurve, but more a little reflex.  Then plan on rawhiding and retiller if needed.  

Thanks again.