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Hickory Design

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George Tsoukalas:
I prefer 1.75" at least for hickory. My last hickory was 1.5" wide and it took more set than I like and lost some weight.

Pyramid bows should bend more just past the fades so the tiller should be more circular. There is more near handle wood so that should work more. Don't overdo it or you'll get chrysals. Bows with parallel limbs like elliptical tillers.

Make sure the hickory is at 6-8% moisture content. I have a moisture meter and keep checking as I bring the bow to full draw. If I get a reading  > than that I stop and let the stave dry on my forced hot water baseboard. Jawge

Piddler:
Thanks for the comments fellas. Decisions Decisions
Piddler

bradsmith2010:
I think wider is good :)

Piddler:
Ok so wider it is. Now same width to mid limb or taper from fades.
 
For what it is worth I've only made one hickory bow and did a pyramid at 1 1/2" at the fades. The stave had some very deep grooves and high spots on the back. Kind of had a goof during tillering and it didn't come out so good. Came back later did some serious heat work and retillered. Turned out a bit better but some lessons learned there. Have better hopes for this one.
Thanks again.
Piddler

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