limb length vs tiller

[AkDan]

Trying to make sense of this...

Equal limbs with the center of the bow in the center of the handle versus the bottom limb being shorter...how do you tiller each?  I would assume I need a much stiffer lower limb on an equal limbed bow vs one with a shorter limb?  If so how much?

Is there a benefit to either method?

[PEARL DRUMS]

This is one of those "can of worms" questions Dan. Its like split vs 3 under, or carbon vs wood. I build all my bows centered. I dont tiller positive or negative. I sit my bow on my tree as I would hold it and tiller neutral. Recently I have found that split finger seems to feel better to me. So I swithced, none of my bows knew the difference besides getting quieter.

[AkDan]

I dont understand what you mean by neutral tiller?   Both limbs bending the exact same from brace to full draw? (with a bow with equal limb length).

[KellyG]

That is what he means. I think if you tune your bow, adjust brace, nock point and such it does not matter. I am no expert but I am so new I have read and reread post by all on here that have made hundreds if not thousands of bows. So I think it boils down to what works for you.
Kinda of like a bird dog, some want them on top of a down bird at the sound of a shot, others think that is an unfinshed dog.

[George Tsoukalas]

AK, I just kind of do what feels comfy and nice. I've tried them all-shorter lower limb, both limbs the same, off set handle with both limbs the same, handle bending, handle and fades bending. My favorite is handle and fades bending and both limbs the same length. Shoots well for me but can be tough to tiller. I tiller all my bows with the bottom limb a 1/4 inch stiffer at FULL draw. Full draw is what counts in a selfbow or bow backed with natural materials. You'll arrive at what feels right for you and your style of shooting and that's what is important.  Not what I say or anyone else.    Jawge

[AkDan]

THanks guys!  

is there any tiller difference between the two?   or is it the same positive tiller regardless what the bottom limb length is?

Also I've noticed in my glass bows that some are easier to tune than others.   I've had a few over the years I couldnt ever get a nock high out of.   How does tiller affect this?  say 1/8 verses your 1/4 Jawge?   I shoot split fingered only.   And how  does tiller affect tunability of a bow, or is there to many other factors involved for that to be a question to answer alone?  I have had a few bows that getting the right arrow was I thought tougher than it should have been.   Site windows cut close to center (longbows).   Where others that should have been tough....werent.   Many of these bows are long gone now, there is one I'm trying to get back but likely never will.  

Thoughts?   or is the tunability ? a better one for a new thread altogether?

[George Tsoukalas]

AK, this is a 1/4" at full draw. I'd settle for 1/8" and would be happy with even. I don't think it affects tuning much except if your bottom limb is weaker than the top you are going to need a higher nock point. Jawge

[stringstretcher]

George?  How do you hold you bow and measure your tiller at full draw?  Are you doing it on a tiller tree or what?

[Osagetree]

Just like Pearl Drums,,, center & equal.

To me it does not matter enough either way. And if I am hitting what I want, why care.

At my range / distance for hunting; it just does not matter.

[AkDan]

so lets talk nock height verses tiller than.  

If your tiller is even what kind of nock point will I expect?  If its 1/4 stronger lower limb what kind of heigth?  

More curious than anything.  I am just about tillered out on this bow...really close, got some shooting to do.  Came in to build a string than zing some arrows out of it.    RIght now they are about even in tiller.   (limb length is even also).  

I sold those glass bows that I couldnt get the nock high out of....still makes me wonder I wish I would have paid more attention to the tiller of those bows.    

time to 'do the twist'  

[George Tsoukalas]

With a selfbow what is going on at brace doesn't always translate to full draw so full draw for me is what counts. These ways. I just eye ball it on the tiller tree. Draw in front of a mirror or window at night. My main way is to have my wife snap a digi pic at full draw.    Jawge