Fine tune this tillering job.

[str8sh2ter]

This is an all wood laminated Longbow.,around 40# and 68" tip to tip.hickoryX2 +honey locust ,touch of black Walnut too.
 1]how can i fine tune this tiller to get it right?
 2]what's a ball park brace height for a bow like this?[6-7"?]
 it's my first attempt at an All Wood bow from scratch.all input is appreciated.Thanks
   

[Leo L.]

My inexperienced eye sees nothing wrong with the tiller.  Interested to see what others have to say.

[Pat B]

It looks fine to me. You shouldn't leave it on a stick like that too long. It puts an awful strain on a wood dow.
  I usually set my brace height with my fistmele...about 5 1/2" to 6" and fine tune from there.

[str8sh2ter]

thanks guys.the stick was maybe 3 mins. to take picture.Keep the input coming.

[Pat B]

Three or 4 seconds is too long in my opinion.
   How does she shoot? With wood bows, "perfection" is hard to achieve. If she shoots well, take her out and shoot the mess out of her. The proof is in the pudding!

[str8sh2ter]

I just roughed in the riser and shelf.I'm going to try her out now.

[mwmwmb]

Hey Pat, I am about to tiller my first board bow. what about on a tree how long should you look at it?

[Pat B]

Just long enough to get a good look. I usually exercise the limbs a bit on the tree before I give it a bend to look at the bend of the limbs. When I see a problen I mark it with a pencil, check it again and mark any problem spot(s). The longer you hold a wood bow the more stress you put on it and this can result in unwanted set or even a hinge in a weak area.

[str8sh2ter]

She shoots pretty good.I'm alittle surprised how well it shoots.I checked it again and it's actually around 40#.I missed my mark of 45-50# but not much to do now.All in all ,for the first attempt she's OK.
  how much #s would i gain if i shortened it to 66" tip to tip?

[Eric Krewson]

I have gained from 5 to 10 pounds by chopping off an inch.

[str8sh2ter]

Eric,thanks,Maybe i'll try that.I'll just have to glue new overlays on the tips.no big deal.I don't want to go any shorter though.It's got to draw 30' for the person that it's for.

[Andrew Wesley]

when doing a tiller it is good (from my experience) to have a grid behind the bow.. makes it easier to see flat spots when your eyes have a point of reference.

[Bjorn]

Rough in a second set of string grooves without cutting the bow at all. You don't need overlays till you are sure anyway.
When you are sure you found the spot you like then do the cutting and finishing.

[tim roberts]

One of Eric's Tillerin' Gizmos will help in the tillering process also.

[Pat B]

Bjorn makes a good point!

[str8sh2ter]

Thanks guys.Does anyone have a link to the gizzmo?

[ranger 3]

It is in the How-To's

[str8sh2ter]

OK thanks

[Leo L.]

Tillering Gizmo
 http://tradgang.com/noncgi/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=2;t=000075

[Leo L.]

Evolution of Tillering Gizmo Build Along
 http://tradgang.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=125;t=001047;p=1