My first Hill build Pics (Updated pics)

[BenM]

Here are some updated pics.  I have the limbs down to the final dimensions, Nocks roughed in (they need some love), and strung up.  Tiller looks good, I have to re-check but it was even at the fadeouts which is perfect for 3 under, right?  I ended up using a shorter string I had made for another bow so the brace height is 8.75" in the pics.  I have some red and black phenolic, with a piece of osage on top glued up for the nocks.  I'm contemplating that osage overlay still.  That'll be the next step along with the shelf.  Sounds like 1.75" over center is the consensus, I'm open to suggestions please.          

[Brianlocal3]

that looks great. congrats on a successful build.

Whats your width at the fades?

[BenM]

1.25"
Here it is at 26".  I need to figure out a scale or something.  Not sure about weight yet.  Feels at least 55# ish  

[MoeM]

The draw looks good although I prefere a 4 or even 6 taper on my hillstyles as I like the bend a bit further from the riser which is usually only about one good inch wide.
(But the 9" brace really hurt my eyes^^)

[red hill]

Benny, the only suggestion I'd hazard is... Send that puppy to me!    

[jsweka]

Lookin' good Ben.
You do need a longer string on it though.  Check the tiller again with the longer string.

[BenM]

I know I need a longer string just didn't feel like making one at the moment.  Will the tiller be much different with a shorter brace height?

[BenM]

Also John does the bow design of yours I copied use a 3" shorter string?   Thanks for your help

[jsweka]

Yeah, it's about 3" shorter than the bow length and I adjust from there.  I use the old fistmele method for setting my brace height which is about 6 3/4".

[BenM]

I made up a string to fit and here are some strung pictures with a 7" brace height.  Tiller is still even at the fadeouts.  Tips are mostly done, a little finish sanding to do.  Now my main focus is getting the grip right, and cutting in t       he shelf.  I'm leaning towards a straight shrew hill type grip    

[EHK]

Very nice.  Love that yew, and the red and yellow tips look sharp too.

[bigbob2]

Very clean, neat and attractive bow. well done! One small suggestion if I may,string grooves belly side could be opened up a little so as limb comes to full draw the groove allows string to travel back and just a slight rounding right at the bottom so there is no suggestion of an edge for the string to abrade on.Great job on the bow.

[BenM]

Thanks for the advice on the tips Bob.  I cut the shelf in today 3/16" past center and 1.75" above the center line of the bow.  It was agony having to serve the string before I could shoot it after I got the shelf done.  Lots of finish work ahead of me, and I'm not totally sold on the grip.  It feels good but not great.  I'm definitely going to have to wear an armguard with this bow.  I never slap my wrist with my other bows.  No big deal I guess it's the way I have to hold it.  I shot about 50 arrows through it and was amazed at how well I shot it.  A little "buzz" after the shot, but I didn't have any silencers on the string either and a relatively light arrow (60-65 surewoods with 125's).  Here are some pics.      

[Trux Turning]

That's a good looking bow!! Great job! Tiller looks good too.

[kennym]

Lookin very good Ben!! The yew is darker than I thought it would be!

[jsweka]

That's coming along very nicely Ben.

So what don't you like about the grip?  Are you just not use to a straight grip.  I've never been a fan of a perfectly straight grip and I always put a slight dish on mine.

[BenM]

Not sure what it is about the grip I'm not sold on.  I don't mind the feel but I don't love it either.  I'm hesistant to remove any more wood for a dish or locator until I shoot it a bit more.  I'm used to a low wrist or locator style grip.  This hill style straight grip stuff is all new to me.  I'm extremely pleased with my bow.  Can't believe how well it shoots.  Really cool feeling.  Hooked on building them for sure.

[BenM]

Well I shot my bow some more today and decided to go with a locator grip.  I love the way the grip turned out.  Really fits my hand.  I kept tracing my hand position with a pencil and shaped the grip a little at a time.  Happy I went this route.      


   

[karrow]

I had a hill style bow hated the grip that's why I only have one that I don't shoot.

I would hesitate to take more wood off from the dish as well. only because it takes away from the hill style look. on my long bows I dish them like you have, but more. who knows it mite grow on ya.

she looks sweet.

[BenM]

Kevin it's perfect for me now.  Staying the way it is.  Some finish sanding, tru oil, and satin deft is the next steps.  I suppose I'll have to make some new Surewoods for it now.