when to move from long string to short string?

[ozy clint]

i have a molegabet in the works. the target draw weight is 65-70#@28". i currently have it bending pretty evenly with a long string. the tips move back to where, if it had a short string it would have it braced at 4". it's at 70# on the long string at this 4".

keeping in mind that you shouldn't draw it such that you exceed the target weight, i've confused myself as to when to move to a short string.

if it is pulling 70#@4" on the long string then i put a short string on it, is that not over stressing it when i start pulling it with a short string even though the bow scale will read near zero as i start to pull it?

should i move to a short string now?

i guess what i'm getting at is do you start off near the target weight at a very short draw and remove wood to maintain tiller and increase the draw length while not going over the target weight until you reach the target draw length or do you start off under weight and tiller it hoping that the target weight it reached when you get back to the desired draw length?

[Pat B]

You are at about 125#@28" now. Figure about 3# per inch of pull.
 If both limbs are bending evenly and together then it's OK to go to low brace...if you can brace it.   
If you keep pulling to 70# you won't be under weight at full draw but watch for the limbs taking set. If you notice string follow(set) you are over stressing the limbs.
 I like to get off the long string as soon as possible. It's too easy to get false readings because of the angle the long string pulls the limbs down. Once you are at low brace you can see how the string tracks and how the limbs are bending and acting, ie. twist, hinges. etc.

[Mad Max]

How long is the bow?
How long is the long string in inches?

[Mad Max]

Or, I like to use a string as short as I can get without bracing to start with, after floor tiller.

[ozy clint]

bow is 64" NTN. long string is 74"

[Pat B]

Shorten your long string so it just fits the bow. This will give you a more accurate assessment.

[Mad Max]

x2 on what pat said

[Roy from Pa]

Yup.
My long string lays snug tight against the belly when tillering.