Help Tillering Uneven Limbs - Pics Updated Feb 29

[hickry]

Hi guys.  I'm somewhat of a newbie at bowbuilding and would really appreciate some opinions.  The pic's below should help describe what I'm talking about. One of the limbs (top) is more reflexed than the other and has a pretty sharp reflex towards the outer third of the limb.  The other (bottom) limb is much straighter and only very slightly reflexed.  This wood has been dried for quite awhile now and is somewhere between 6-8% (hickory).  After reading the Bent Stick, I believe that the wood should bend evenly... and the part that a sharp reflex will tiller out much "flatter" than that part of the limb which is straigher.  Is that correct?  Can I have some opinions on where to go from here?  Should I try to steam the bottom limb to match the reflex of the top limb?  Thanks, Alek.
   
   
   
   

[EASTERNARCHER]

Hickry, IMHO, I'd tiller the right limb so to get both limbs bending evenly. don't worry about that wee bit of reflex, it'll tiller out anyhow, and you'll have a nice straight profile.

You could always steam or use dry heat to put reflex in the right limb, but as I found out already alot of the reflex will tiller out anyhow.

Get'em bending together and be happy.

[Bowferd]

My eyes are giving me 2 different pictures. If assumed that the lines on the wall behind is level. As the bow is braced it seems as though it is not braced in the tree properly. Shoot a line on that wall. Get back to me p;ease.

[Chisler]

Ditto easternarcher.  Hard to say for sure from your pictures, but it looks like you aren't getting much bend in the upper 1/2 of the right limb.  Keep scraping off the belly and it should catch up.   If you want to end up with a 50# bow, be sure you never exceed 50# pull, or even 45#, during the tillering process.

[hickry]

Thanks for the input!  The first and third pictures were taken on the first pull of the rope.  I then let it down and pulled it again and got the second and fourth pictures.  I believe it slipped, or something, after the first pull and got off somehow.  The outer part of the right limb is definitely flatter... I just wasn't sure if it is supposed to be since that is where the sharpest reflex is.  Thanks, again, for the input!!!

[EASTERNARCHER]

Don'ty worry about reflex. it's the bent profile you need to focus on.
By looking at pic 2, you don't have more than 1 in. difference in the limbs anyway.
Right limb is stiff. go slow and work mid-outer limb.

[hickry]

Thanks!  I'm hopeful to have some more time to work on it this weekend... and may be back for more help.  Thanks Again!!

[hickry]

OK... I have some updated pics.  This is at 16" & 50 lbs.  I'm hoping to end up around 55 lbs at 27".  Can any of you bowyers out there help me with tiller?
Thanks,
Alek

 
 
 
 

[John Scifres]

Left limb needs work.  Green means go.  

[Otto]

Daggone John...you got an eye for that tillering stuff.

[hickry]

Thanks!
I've got a question on the straight lines from the fades to the tips...
The left limb is shorter than the right limb by 1.75" (per recommendation by Dean Torges in his website).  Is the straight line that you drew to be used as a reference to check for flat spots... or are you recommending that I try to keep area between line and limb equal between the two limbs?  I believe that, due to the difference in limb length, the left side will always have less area between limb and line.
Otto hit the nail on the head... Ya'll have eyes like eagles... and I really appreciate the help you give us new guys!!!

[John Scifres]

It's simply a reference.  Helps me see things.  After all is said and done, the shorter limb will look a little more round.  Once you get a little closer, start drawing it by hand.  That's where the rubber hits the road.  What we do on the tree is just the start.  Perfect tiller is felt as much as seen.

[hickry]

THANKS!  I'll be back, I'm sure, for more opinions once I get this done.  Won't be able to work on for a few days... AARGHH!!!

[Tommy Leach]

John, do you ever you something like a bungie cord with boots on your tillering tree to see these lines? or do you just use photos? Tommy

[John Scifres]

I just do it on here.  When I am tillering at home, I watch the limbs bend and can see tiller better that way.

[hickry]

Ok guys... thank you to those who are willing to help us new guys out.  This is a BLAST trying to build something to hunt with... hoping to take it to the woods this fall!  Below are the newest pic's... tillered out to 21 inches now (55#).  Does anyone have any opinions to share?
Thanks
Alek
 
 
 

[wakolbinger]

looks beautiful...

[John Scifres]

[hickry]

OK... getting close!!!  Here's some pic's at ~26".  I pulled a "beginner's mistake", and my top limb is bending too much near the tip.  Can anyone see any more potential issues?  I've got another inch to go before she's finished and I really don't want to shave in the wrong spot now!!!
Thanks, again, for everybody's help!!!
 
 

[Aram]

I'd be really happy with a "beginner's mistake" like that. Looks good enough to take it out and shoot a few arrows.
Do you have a nocking point on the string? If you move your arrow up and down the string (which it seems to me to have happened between the two pictures)it will afect the way the limbs bend. I like a bit of whip tiller. Set at the tips is not as bad as set at the fades and light limbtips are easier on the joints.  
Aram