Help me tune my Howard Hill

[cedar]

I have never had trouble tuning bows until I bought this one.  It is a 70" Wesley Special, 44@29, I pull 29 3/4.  I shoot cedar and fir arrows, mostly 23/64 but some 11/32, all with 125 points.  I started with 6 1/2 brace height, but after reading some, I dropped it to 6 1/8.  Nock set is 5/8 and I nock arrow below nock set.  I have tried from 40-45 to 60-65 spine.  All have been either 30 or 31". Any suggestions would be appreciated.

[khardrunner]

nevermind

[moebow]

What is it that you are trying to fix?  Your Hill should like  50-55 spines with 125 points.

Arne

[longbowray]

I think 55/60 @ 30 bop with 125 tips

[Canyon]

Need to know what each spine group is telling you! I would agree with Moebow that a 50-55 should be really close.

[ChrisM]

If you are torquing the bow nothing will fly right.

[30coupe]

What are the arrows doing?

Have you tried the nock point under the arrow? Hill style bows seem to like this better for some reason. My recurves and r/d longbows are all nock set over the arrow, but my Hill style longbow likes the nock under.

That said, you really need to give some specifics if you want help.

[Bill Skinner]

My Hills all like an arrow that is spined about 5 pounds lighter than the draw weight.  You are pulling about 45-47 pounds, your bow should like an arrow that is spined about 40-42 pounds.  For a 30 inch arrow, it should have a spine of about 45 pounds, a 31 should spine about 48.

That being said, what, exactly, are your arrows doing?

[TSP]

You didn't say what your arrows are doing.  Fishtail, veer left or right, slap, etc.?

[ChuckC]

For tuning. . . what are the risers of most Hill style bows cut to with respect to center ?   Also,  how wide are Hill style bow limbs at their greatest width ?

Thanks
ChuckC

[cedar]

Everything that I have tried that I stated in the first post shoot stiff through paper.  I think maybe Bill Skinner is on to something.  I have been thinking it would take a 45-50 spine, but thought that seemed pretty weak for a 31" arrow.  I guess Hills are different than my other longbows.

[moebow]

IMO paper tuning is not very reliable for Hill (most trad) bows.  The shaft is vibrating (paradox) a lot after clearing the bow and moving the paper just a few feet can drastically change the tear indications.  Many will recommend the bare shaft planing technique instead. FWIW

Arne

[cedar]

Thanks for the help guys.  I think I figured it out.  I went up to a 6 5/8" brace height and it is shooting just fine.