Lets Talk Tillering Strings

[JSMOFFITT03]

I have noticed on the thread different names or discriptions for strings.  This is what I gather so far...

Tillering string- roughly 12" longer than Knock to Knock, used for initial tillering

Long string- Same as tillering string? same function?

Short string- I would guess this would be refering to actual string length?

From what i gather you long string tiller it sorta close than you short string it and finish the tiller...

Are my assumtions correct?

[John Scifres]

My tillering string is 72" long with a loop on one end.  I use a bowyer's knot (timber hitch knot) on the other end.  I use it from long string tillering through shoot in and just shorten as I go.

It is made with 18 strands of Dacron B-50 and is reverse twisted for the entire length.

[don s]

mine is pretty much the same as john. 16 strands instead of 18. don

[JSMOFFITT03]

Thanks....  What about the short string?....

[CaptainJ]

And as for length, I shorten it as soon as possible. Long strings are liars. (A mis-quote from George)
I start with a string that is the same length as the bow, not 12" longer and shorten it to target brace height when I can.  Be careful to never exceed your target weight though.

CJ

[Dan Landis]

I make a new string every time I start a new bow, put a loop in one end and use a timber hitch on the other end.  As I tiller the bow I just re tie the timber hitch knot to shorten the string.  When I reach final tiller I just twist it until I reach my desired brace height.  Most time I use this string on the bow, just add serving and it's ready for use.....Dan

[Walt Francis]

I use a longbow stringer with leather cups for the long string.  When ready for the short string I have 40-50 different length strings between 54” and 64” hanging on the wall and I grab one of them.  Three or four of the strings that have been used on several bows, each bow gets a new string when it is completed.

[JSMOFFITT03]

Thanks guys...

[snag]

That's a good idea Walt. I need to start making up strings with varying lengths.

[AKmud]

I'm with Walt on this one.  I use a homemade tillering string with leather cups on both ends because the nock grooves aren't cut in till I'm ready to go to the short string.  I just shorten/lengthen it as needed for each bow.  I don't have quite the assortment Walt does, but 6-10 different strings will allow me to find one close then twist it up to where I want it for low brace or more.

[Ranger44]

I've only done a handful of bows and after seeing the suggestion here I use paracord with a permanent knot on one end and tie a bowyers knot on the other.  After getting limb movement of 6-10" (also learned here) I go to a new string I make for the bow.

[evildocrsx]

I start with a long string with one loop on each side.  No bowyer's knot.  Then when it is ready for the short string, I make a new string for each bow and then just keep the string when the bow is finished.

[Roy from Pa]

Use a shorter string and get to brace height asap. The long tillering strings with the leather cups lie.

[StoneAK]

I use para cord with a permanent loop in one end and a timber hitch in the other, then I use the actual string for the bow when its time to go to the short string

[George Tsoukalas]

Here's the way I do it.
Long string =old sash cord. Length 1.5 times that of bow about.
Tillering string=old bow string.
Bow string=Flemish made for bow.
Jawge

[Lakota_Ghost]

I see that people here use paracord and dacron for tillering strings, but is there a certain kind of material that should be avoided for a tillering string?

[frank bullitt]

Lakota, I would say that artifcial sinew, waxed nylon would be the worst!

I use the strongest material, like Fast Flight or other High performance materials.

I do like John, and twist the entire length. One long string to use for different bows.

I want the the limbs to show everything, and not the string stretching!

I may disagree with folks about certain things, but learn from everyone, no matter from the most experience and the greenhorns, on the light they shed!

I don't have the best of eye when tillering, but I'm learning!

[hova]

i make a new string for each of them. i have just made one string or two and a few 3 foot test pieces with the daCRON I got from knocking point. i had been using artificial sinew from pat catans . it worked fine , just stretched  like s......

i get floor tiller to about 4-5", then put the string on with about a 3 inch brace. even it out , if needed , and twist it up to get to brace height.

once the bow is done i make a new one , because i always end up hitting the string a bunch with the coarsest rasps i have on hand. and my loops just look terrible...ive seen better , and ive seen worse , but now that im in a house , i will have room to make endless strings...


-hov

[hova]

i make a new string for each of them. i have just made one string or two and a few 3 foot test pieces with the daCRON I got from knocking point. i had been using artificial sinew from pat catans . it worked fine , just stretched  like s......

i get floor tiller to about 4-5", then put the string on with about a 3 inch brace. even it out , if needed , and twist it up to get to brace height.

once the bow is done i make a new one , because i always end up hitting the string a bunch with the coarsest rasps i have on hand. and my loops just look terrible...ive seen better , and ive seen worse , but now that im in a house , i will have room to make endless strings...


-hov

[Lee Slikkers]

Hov, you mention hitting the string with your rasp...does this imply that you leave the bow braced as you scrape or rasp where needed?  For some reason I assumed most folks braced and unbraced between tillering adjustments.

Thanks~