I start my long string tillering at the completion of floor tillering(with 4" of tip movement). I only pull a few inches, exercise a lot and observe the bend of both limbs and mark any stiff spots and/or weak spots. By the time I get to 6" to 8" of tip movement and both limbs are bending evenly and together I go to a low brace(from 0" to about 3" of brace height). From this time on I use the short string. When I get to about 12" of tip movement I go to normal(MOL) brace height...as long as everything is still OK.
I do use a tillering stick sometimes before I hit brace height and again while using the tiller gizmo but other than that it is a tree with rope and pully.