Tillering without a Weight scale?

[PatrickH]

So I broke my weight scale when tillering a new bow. I ordered a new (better) one on Amazon and am just waiting for it to arrive in the mail. But while waiting I grabbed an old failed bow (it was one of my early ones that I tillered too wet and had a huge amount of set) it had been laying in a pile of wood in my storage room for like 5 years, and I decided to cut it down a lot shorter and start tillering it without a weight scale (just pulling it to a weight that feels good to draw) I figured for most of bow history bowyers didn't have draw weight measurement scales. I am just practicing on that old failed bow to get a feel for it. Does anybody have any advice for tillering by feel? Does anybody recommend it or does anybody think its a bad idea? What are the communities thoughts on tillering in that manner?

[Pat B]

Do as you are doing, tiller to what feels right to you. Be aware every time you draw the bow and if you see a problem, stop and repair the problem then continue on.

[PatM]

I've never owned a bow scale  of any sort.

[Bubbabowyer]

I do my bows without a scale or tree. I bend them on my knee watching the limb bend evenly at a weight that I can pull consistently. Each limb together until brace height then I smooth it out from there. I love trying to feel the wood resist the bend and let off before going further and scraping the stiff areas until it comes to brace height smoothly.

[bushboy]

I don't use a stick or tree....floor tiller,then by brace.with lots of practice it comes slowly.just remember mistakes happen and they are how to learn..

[Eric Krewson]

A bathroom scale will work, you just need a notched wooden rod to hold the string while you push down.

I have made a lot of bows for other people, a scale is a must so the bow will be the poundage they asked for.

[PatrickH]

Okay thanks for the help guys. I am just making it for myself so no need to be anything other what feels good to shoot for the bowyer. i have been trying to tiller it by looking at its shadow (I think that was an idea I got from one of the TBB's but dont remember which one) I imagine I will ruin a few, which is partially why I am attempting it with an old stave that had over 4in of string follow already (and some cosmetic issues) so I can't really make it any worse than it was before I shortened it. I like that this forum is always useful comments and helpful people (most internet forums are not quite so helpful lol)

[Gordon]

Like others have said you don't need a scale to tiller a bow - unless you are making it to sell to someone, then you probably ought to use one.

[Badger]

     I had a scale but when making bows just for myself didn't always use it. When I was feeling a bit stronger the bows would come out in the low 60's, If I hadn't shot for some time they tended to come out in the low 50's. After I retired I took a couple or years where I didn't shoot and made what I thought was about 50# and it was actually 38#.

[George Tsoukalas]

I'd wait for the scale. Jawge