You're correct David, I think we're both drawing the same conclusion from Ron's last statement. Looks like Ol' "Puff" the Magic Dragon has reared it's ugly head once more. Most of us know how frustrating it is to spend all that time getting things just right using the long string only to have our dreams shattered when we go to the short string and magically the outer portion of the limbs just "puff" up. Just heartbreaking!
Understanding how to prevent this is to understand the geometry change from the long to short string that David mentioned. A really long tillering string exercises the inner or near handle portain of the limb. Rest of the limb gets very little if any exercising. So the shorter the tillering string the better. And when you go from the tilllering string to a bow string the string angle totally changes causing the greater strain on the limbs to move from the inner limb to the outer portion of the limb.
I like to use a plastic ruler as an example. Hold it out in front of you and press one end downwards. You will noticed the greater bend near the hand you're grasping it with. This mimicks the long string. Now take and press it's end inwards. This mimicks a bow string. Here you will notice the greater bend move outwards.
ART