Tiller tree damage

[mrbxzzz]

I have always used i simple board with nails as a tiller tree, thinking i should switch to pulley as I start to use more exotic staves.

Does leaving a wood board bow drawn on a tiller tree cause any damage to the belly of the bow ie induce set, reduce cast, etc.

[mwosborn]

Pulling it a few inches at low weight probably doesn't hurt anything.  But IMO the further it is pulled under greater weight and the longer it is held, the more damage done.

[Mad Max]

Originally posted by mwosborn:
Pulling it a few inches at low weight probably doesn't hurt anything.  But IMO the further it is pulled under greater weight and the longer it is held, the more damage done.

yep

[Pat B]

Yep

[George Tsoukalas]

Yes, sir.
Jawge

[Roy from Pa]

So how long is too long to hold a wooden bow drawn on the tree? And how much weight might a bow lose if held drawn that long?

[LittleBen]

I shoot all my bows with a pretty long hold at anchor, maybe 1-3seconds typically. I haven't really noticed that doing anything terrible.

I also commonly leave a bow drawn on the tree for long enough to quickly step back and look, then mark the belly side with a pencil where I need to scrape. Maybe 10 seconds.

I try to reduce how much I need to do that, but at the end of the day a well tillered bow will last longer, and you got to do what you got to do to make a well tillered bow.

[Pat B]

I try not to hold any selfbow for longer that 2 or 3 seconds. When I shoot I release as soon as I hit my anchor. If I find myself getting sloppy or short drawing I will hold for a second or 2 before releasing.
 Remember wood in a natural material and too much stress can shorten it's life or at least add more set.

[die_dunkelheit]

Yeah during tiller it should be quick as others have suggested, but also always have a scale on it and never pull it over the intended draw weight.

[EwokArcher]

During tillering a bow should be treated like you plan on shooting it. Any more draw weight pulled or unnecessary time held is going to be extra damage to the wood cells

[George Tsoukalas]

I once had the T stick break. The bow gave me a nice bump on my head. I burned the t stick and made a nice portable top and pulley.

Nails driven into a board can work their way out.

Y'all are much braver than I am. I have no desire to get my head near a bow under construction while at full draw.

Jawge

[Roy from Pa]

Ah come on, Jawge...

Where is your sense of adventure? LOL

[Mad Max]

I shoot a video with my camera and pull to full draw.
Then I use  Windows live movie maker and get a snap shot at full draw to post for you guy's.

You could do the same at any part of the draw.

[Roy from Pa]

Been  8 hours now.. Lose the camera?

[wood carver 2]

Look in the sock drawer.            
Dave.

[Pat B]

A tiller stick and even a tiller tree holds the bow statically. Have someone take a full draw pic with you drawing the bow by hand. That will give you a more accurate depiction of the state of your bow than a static hold.

[George Tsoukalas]

Good one, Pat.
I call it digi tillering.  
Jawge