Need Some Advice (Finished)

[mwosborn]

Have a roughed out blank from this past summer and want to start working on it.  Limbs have some bends in them but the string runs through the handle when I tape a string along the back of the bow (has some reflex in it).  This would be my 2nd finished bow so I am very green!

Would you suggest trying to straighten the limbs out or tiller it the way it is.

If you think staightening is the way to go, steam it or use dry heat?

Thanks for the advice!!!

Mitch

Green Ash cut last March, roughed out in June and drying in the garage since then.  61" tip to tip.

 

 

[razorback]

2 things;
First, if the string lines up with the tips and the handle leave it alone and tiller as is.
Second, a rule that I have heard said here on many ocassions is wet heat for wet wood, dry heat for dry wood. Not sure if that is a hard rule but many believe it.

[red hill]

I'm not far ahead of you, Mitch, but I would think you need to get to at least a low brace height to get a better idea of tip-handle-tip alignment.

[PEARL DRUMS]

I would build your bow as is. That aliggment is great. That wood should be plenty dry. Ash dries very fast up here.

[beetlebailey1977]

Looks good.....go with it.

[mwosborn]

Thanks for the quick advice guys - sounds like I will start tillering tomorrow and see how it goes.

[KellyG]

let us know how it turns out for you. That is a great looking start.

[mwosborn]

Will do Kelly - thanks.

[Pat B]

You really can't tell how the string will line up until first brace. Once the string is under tension it will show it's true alignment.
  If the stave is seasoned, dry heat would be the best. I haven't worked much ash so I'm not really sure if i works better with dry heat or steam. If you steam it seal the area to be steamed with shellac. This will prevent the moisture from the steam from entering the wood which can cause checking as it dries.

[PEARL DRUMS]

My trade bow appeared to need a tweaking prior to a short brace. Once I got it short braced it came around nicely and I never had to touch it. I LOVE when that happens.

[Art B]

Final straightening I would do right before shooting in. Unless severe corrections are needed, then right after first brace.

Oh, just me, but I would've pryamid shaped those limbs because of that dogleg.

[mwosborn]

Thanks for the suggestions Art - I really appreciate you guys taking the time!  Just so I can learn...what advantage does the pyramid style give with that type of dogleg?

Thanks again.

Mitch

[Art B]

Parallel limbs such as yours require an elliptical tiller for best efficiency.

A pyramid limb design would have shifted the greater strain closer to the handle (circular tiller) and lightening that dogleg section in mass weight.

[mwosborn]

Thanks Art.  I am still learning the terminology.  I checked the vocabulary for newbies for "parallel limbs but not there.  I am assume it means a limb that does not taper until mid-limb or so and then tapers to the tip?

Mitch

[Art B]

That's correct Mitch. Rectangular limbs would have been the proper term I believe since we're discussing shapes.

[mwosborn]

Slowly and surely been working on this bow.  I made a set of pillar tiller like Shaun showed a while ago and experimented with them to a low brace and then moved to the tree.

The one limb with the dog leg and hump(left in brace pic and upper in others)  has been a bit challenging...but I got it braced at about 7" and right at 50# and 27".  Been shooting and exercising the wood and it has taken a small set (my limited experience says green ash always will)but not too bad.

Also tried my first tip overlays - used some antler had laying around and took advice from many of the posts on here!

Anyway, any advice on the current tiller?  And appreciate you guys helping!  I am hoping to learn enough to pass that help on.

Thanks

Mitch

 

 

 

 

[Steve B.]

It looks really good to me.  Shooting it will reveal more about its "balance".  Tweak it from there if you want it perfect.  You done good.

[SportHunter]

Looks great to me.

[George Tsoukalas]

Excellent! Well done. Jawge

[Art B]

Looking good Mitch! Does both limbs feel well balanced when drawing? I like to remove the rear shoulder of the string groove to prevent any wear/pinching on the string's loop.