BBI build along, my first backed bow

[Roy from Pa]

How thick is your handle? Looks way too thick to me.

[Echatham]

thick like back to belly... or left to right?  it IS much to thick back to belly. im going to cut the throat of the grip in to 13/4" from the back. and reduce the rest of it down accordingly. left to right its only 1 1/4"

[Echatham]

btw i accounted for that somewhat in my brace height measurement. my "1" brace" has the string actually less than 1/4" from the riser. probably not a bad time to trim it down closer to finished dimensions?

[Roy from Pa]

Brace that bow up to 4 inches and see what she looks like.

[Echatham]

4" brace... i worked on the stiffer limb a bit since my last post
 

[Echatham]

44# @ 18"

[Echatham]

Roy go back a page to see it braced at 4"

[Echatham]

to me it looks like the right limb is flatter than the left limb on the outer two thirds

[Roy from Pa]

Yup.

[Echatham]

this is bugging me... why would the left limb look stiffer at brace and the right limb look stiffer at draw?

[Roy from Pa]

Are the limbs equal length?

[macbow]

Eric this is the time Eric Krewsons tillering gizmo will be useful.
If you don't have one do a,search and make one.

[Echatham]

Roy- Yes, equal length. the only difference, and this is probably it, the boo is thick on the last third and outer part of middle third on the left limb, a little over 1/8", its a little less than 1/8" everywhere else.... the ipe is thinner there than everywhere else too.

Macbow, i am familiar, and I am going to make one... now... i have no lovely assistant, any good tips on how to hold the bow in a drawn position while i apply the gizmo? I know i could put pegs on my tillering tree, but is there another way?

Roy does this handle make you happier?

 

[Roy from Pa]

Ya I guess it looks better, but still too thick I thinks:) Now take the tillering rope and wrap it around your right ankle, stretch your right leg waaaay back and run the gizmo up and down the limbs:)

[Roy from Pa]

OR, you could put a good strong clamp across the tree and hook the bow string on that. But ya better make sure the clamp doesn't slip or BOOM goes the bow.... Or you could build a long tillering stick with notches every inch and wedge it between the floor and the bottom of the trees cradle. Or you could drill holes every inch in the tree and stick a 4 inch x 1/4 inch bolt in it like I do.

[Echatham]

sounds like i need some beers for that exercise! the belly of the handle is now 2" from the back of the boo. I like a little shape to my grip, so the deepest part of the grip will probably end up 1/4" to a 1/2" deeper than that.
 
Think im going to give it a rest for tonight, getting tired and thats when mistakes happen. especially when in critical stages like this! 10" of draw to go.

[Echatham]

i like the hole and bolt idea. im gonna do that. thanks Roy! i knew I'd get a good idea from you if i listened long enough    

[Roy from Pa]

You mean to tell me you don't have a few beers while tillering your bow? Gezze oh man dude, that's what's wrong with the bow then, your not drinking:) LOL

[Roy from Pa]

Here is my tree setup with the holes drilled. The bow string is hooked on the bolt here. Heck even an Army Girl could do it:) LOL

 

[Echatham]

could be... I'll give that a try first thing in the morning!