Juniper/Sinew early tillering. What do you think?

[WhistlingBadger]

Just starting to bend this bow.  I am taking it slow, bordering on timid, because I really want this one to be my new hunting bow and I don't want to blow it up like the last one.  Right now, pulling 35# at 8" on the long string.  Target weight is 55#@27". 

It looks to me like the right limb (which will probably end up being the top) is stiffer than the left, but they're the same length and they're both hitting the 8" line.  What's happening there?

I must admit I'm procrastinating here...should probably just go ahead and pull it to 55#.  But I am really worried about blowing this one up.  Once bitten, and all that...Anyway, enough about my emotional baggage.     What do you think?

[Hamish]

Your issue is the bow looks like it is tipping in the cradle, slightly downwards on the right side. This makes you think the limbs are bending the same distance, but if you balanced it more evenly in the cradle it would show the right limb is bending slightly less as it is stiffer.

I would correct the limb stiffness before pulling it any further, if you insist the limb on the right to be the top limb. You could also assign the left limb as the top limb and the problem resolves itself.


I would get it to a low to medium brace height, and exercise slightly and see how the limbs register, then assess from there.

[WhistlingBadger]

I think you're right, Hamish.  I put a splinter under the right side of the handle, and it is clear that the right limb is stiffer now.  Put a few licks on the left side handle and now it's sitting level.  It's always the little stuff.  ha ha

I'm not committed to the right limb being the top; it just felt that way for some reason.  If I'm going for a positive tiller, I want the top limb bending about 1/8 to 1/2" more than the bottom at brace, is that correct?  Getting lots of contradictory info on that from the interwebs.

[WhistlingBadger]

Dropping this here for my own reference:  I just watched a Kramer Ammons vid that says at full draw, the top limb should be only bending about 1/2" more.  So that's a pretty tiny difference, and I probably just need them bending fairly evenly at this stage.

[TimBo]

My understanding of positive tiller is that it's something to keep in mind, but how the bow feels and it shoots is much more important since it's not flubberglass and natural materials are quirky.  And yes, I would say just go for getting a good even bend at this point. Looks like it will be a cool bow!

[superdav95]

Ya what Hamish said is bang on imo.  Mid limb on the right is little stiff compared to left.  Levelling up the bow on your tree helps visualize too like said.  This should turn out to be a sweet looking bow!

[bjrogg]

Ya what Hamish said is bang on imo.  Mid limb on the right is little stiff compared to left.  Levelling up the bow on your tree helps visualize too like said.  This should turn out to be a sweet looking bow!

I’ll second that Dave.

Bjrogg

[WhistlingBadger]

Yep.  Got them bending evenly now and I'll start pulling more weight.  Thanks, guys.

[pierce_schmeichel]

I love that snake skin you got on there! And those recurve look beautiful. I hope this bow becomes a deer slayer!!

I see your target weight and draw is 55# at 27" i can't really tell in the picture how long the bow is but I'm assuming it's at least 55"? If shorter than that sadly you won't be getting a 27" draw. Juniper and sinew are great but they don't do well in overstressed builds(I'm assuming you've had an explosion?) They can blow up so violently hahaha one of mine blew up and left a huge gash in my nose. Anyway one more thing is that if it is only 55" you may want to get the handle section to SLOWLY start bending a little more. I say slowly because it is so very easy to go too far. If 55" you'll just want every part of that bow bending evenly to get your full draw length,otherwise...explosion. if it's closer to 58" you can probably get away with the tiller you have though.

[WhistlingBadger]

Pierce--it's 61" ntn, so I think I should be OK.

Here is is now.  Looks like the curves are pulling out more than I wanted, but at least they seem to be pulling fairly evenly.  This thing is really acting like it wants to spit an arrow.  Need to get it to full draw, but don't want to rush it.

Anybody have any thoughts or advice?

[WhistlingBadger]

I'm a little worried about how much the recurves are pulling straight, especially on the left side.  Is that OK?   And it looks like I need to still get the right mid  bending a little more.  Amazing the things I can see in a photo that aren't obvious looking at the real thing.

[Pappy]

Looks like right limb 5/6 inches out from fad to an inch or so before the re flexed tips. Looking pretty good so far.
 Pappy

[superdav95]

It’s slight but I’d agree with pappy.

Another consideration…. What draw length you at in last posted pic?   Hard to tell for sure but if you still have a few inches to go yet and still quite a bit over draw target weight then maybe getting the inners bending more to keep the tips from pulling out too much more.   Just a thought.  If you are close to draw length now then I might not mess with it too much.  Bend looks good.  Make the right one your bottom limb. 

[WhistlingBadger]

It’s slight but I’d agree with pappy.

Another consideration…. What draw length you at in last posted pic?   Hard to tell for sure but if you still have a few inches to go yet and still quite a bit over draw target weight then maybe getting the inners bending more to keep the tips from pulling out too much more.   Just a thought.  If you are close to draw length now then I might not mess with it too much.  Bend looks good.  Make the right one your bottom limb.

The pic is at 21".  Going to take it to 27".  I'm afraid I'm actually going to come in below target weight.  It's only 35# at 23", and I was hoping for 55# @ 27".  Hope it doesn't come in too light for a hunting bow.  I think I'll go ahead and take it to full draw tonight and see where it's at.

Thanks for the help, guys.

[WhistlingBadger]

OK, got it to full draw and it didn't explode!  Got my heart pumping--I just knew it was going to blow up on me.  But not a snap, crackle, or pop.  Think I finally figured out how to get sinew to stick--maybe that fiasco with the dogbane last year wasn't a complete waste.

I'm a little disappointed that it came in at only 42#, so probably not powerful enough to hunt elk.  Can't just add another layer or two of sinew, because I decided to put the snake skin on it before I tillered it...dumb.
 
For all that, I'm pretty tickled though.  Limbs are nice and even, I really like the bend, and man, does it look sweet.  Going to go put a few arrows through it and see how it shoots. 

Then I'm going to have to build another one...I still have one more decent juniper stave, a big pile of sinew, and I'm sure I have another bull snake skin around here somewhere.