It's getting scary!

[snag]

So I've got a hazelnut stave down to a 61" bow.
 
 

I've got it bending into the handle at 21". I've been using Eric's "tiller gizmo" to achieve an even bending arch.

My question is how do you know if you are going to be able to achieve a 28" draw or if the length of the bow is not going to allow it to reach this draw length? I'm not sure where to stop with the tillering??? How far do I push it?

[snag]

Just realized this is an older picture. This is when I had it bending to 19". Since then I have scraped wood off near the fades and out near the tips.

[Wile E. Coyote]

You can get it to a 32" draw if you tiller it out correctly, the question is what weight do you want at 28"? Are you checking weight with a scale at the length you draw it to now? Don't pull it past draw weight at any length and you will minimize string follow.

[snag]

At 21" it is 35#'s. I'd like it to end up at 50#+.

[vanillabear?]

[snag]

I noticed that about the fades and tips being too stiff VB.  I'll try and post an updated pic tonight. I would like to get some input after the reduced wood in the fades area.  
Also, should the brace on a short string at this point be about 4"-5"????
Thanks,David

[vanillabear?]

[snag]

Thanks, more pics tonight......

[John Scifres]

I would draw it more in the center of the string, about 3" to the left.  How much longer is the left limb than the right?

[fujimo]

remember if you are getting about 3# per inch of draw,( an an average 50# bow) and you have 7 inches to go- that equates to about 21#- add that to your current 35#, youre  sitting at about 56# as is- lose a few pounds to sanding, finishing and settling in, you are going to be pretty spot on 50#.
 i usually work up to my max  draw weight as soon as i can,on the short string- and as mr. coyete said never draw past your final draw weight.
and as mr. bear noted you are still on the long string- so my caculation above really only works when you have it strung at your desired brace height.
i always use the quick calculation just as a reassuring back up system, when trying to fix the odd thing.
what is the weight at any given length on the short string??
looking good
and these guys will help anyone and everyone so much
good luck.

[snag]

This is after taking more off near the fades and out near the tips.

[vanillabear?]

[hova]

id say left fade and left midlimb out.

lookin good though , keep it up.
-hov

[snag]

How about the right mid to tip?

[hova]

maybe a snatch by the tip itself , but it looks good.


my tip for using a gizmo is this : when you hit your fades , remove wood just like the rest of it...


-hov

[Walt Francis]

Dave, I sent you a PM.

[Wile E. Coyote]

Get on the short string as fujimo suggested.     You need to see how it bends at more draw length. Only take off small amounts and flex the bow 15 to 20 times between taking off. If you keep on taking wood off and thinning the bow down you are also dropping the weight. Get the limbs pulling evenly (looks like it now) and start pulling to 50#, then take off only where necessary, otherwise you will end up with a kids bow, 30# at 28" (Been there, Done that)  

[snag]

Thanks guys. I will take it slow from here on. I have some sinew I might add to this bow later..?

[Wile E. Coyote]

Add it later if you really enjoy the tillering process, cuz that what you are going to have to do once you add the sinew, retiller.

[snag]

I am just thinking that if I need more draw weight I might have to add some sinew or heat treat it. We'll see how it goes. Heck, it might just break before I get to that point!