Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Chad on September 21, 2014, 01:53:59 pm

Title: Tillering when bow is strung
Post by: Chad on September 21, 2014, 01:53:59 pm
I did a search thinking this question has probably been asked but didn't find anything, I was wondering if I can tiller with the string on??? It would save a little time of destring constantly. This is my first bow so I'm moving pretty slow with the tiller stage, taking only a tiny bit of wood each time. Of course I wouldn't keep strung for long periods of time, but it would expedite my excruciating slow process I'm on.

This would be for fine tuning, just getting the limbs to bend evenly not reducing large amounts of draw weight.

Thanks.
Title: Re: Tillering when bow is strung
Post by: JW_Halverson on September 21, 2014, 02:02:31 pm
Yeah, I've done it.  But it is best to save this until the final little tweeks toward the end. 

And always remember to exercise the limbs before picking which spot you are going to next work on...work those limbs and they will be more amenable to the tillering!
Title: Re: Tillering when bow is strung
Post by: Chad on September 21, 2014, 02:14:28 pm
Thanks! Now I just need to make a string...
Title: Re: Tillering when bow is strung
Post by: Del the cat on September 21, 2014, 02:28:19 pm
Yes, but don't rasp or scrape the string ::)
Del
Title: Re: Tillering when bow is strung
Post by: Pat B on September 21, 2014, 03:10:37 pm
Be sure everything is even and you are not too far over weight. Actually stringing a bow can be pretty stressful on a bow but not as bad as bracing an unevenly tillered bow.
 I do it sometimes but like Del said not until the final tweaking.
Title: Re: Tillering when bow is strung
Post by: Chad on September 21, 2014, 03:13:13 pm
well im in the process of making a string with will be to long for the finished bow so Im thinking ill start with that just to kinda gauge how its bending
Title: Re: Tillering when bow is strung
Post by: Pat B on September 21, 2014, 03:40:42 pm
Untwist the bottom loop, twist it back into a rat tail and use a bowyers knot for the bottom nock.
Title: Re: Tillering when bow is strung
Post by: bushboy on September 21, 2014, 06:31:04 pm
Yes I go for a good floor tiller then on to longish string which I tighten as I go.i don't use a tree 95 per cent of the time.i tiller by brace!am no pro but works 4 me.
Title: Re: Tillering when bow is strung
Post by: DC on September 21, 2014, 06:52:25 pm
I hate to be the guy to do this, but why shouldn't you tiller with the string on? I've only made a half dozen bows and all of them I've tillered with the string on from low brace to finished. They seem OK but what do I know. Other than accidentally cutting the string what problems can it cause?
Thanks
Don
Title: Re: Tillering when bow is strung
Post by: mullet on September 21, 2014, 06:54:52 pm
I do it with a scraper when I'm looking for flat spots on the final tiller. Like said, you do have to be careful not to cut the string.
Title: Re: Tillering when bow is strung
Post by: Pat B on September 21, 2014, 07:03:06 pm
 I like to get my bows to brace as soon as possible but I'm sure that both limbs are bending evenly and together and that I am relatively close to my draw weight.
 Bracing a bow too soon can cause excess stress leading to more set and possibly developing hinges.
Title: Re: Tillering when bow is strung
Post by: Badger on September 21, 2014, 07:31:05 pm
  I usually brace a bow when it is at about 23" draw, I leave the string on until I reach 28". I might take it off if I have to get close to the tip for some reason but I leave the last 10" pretty stiff anyway. All I use is a scraper once I brace it.
Title: Re: Tillering when bow is strung
Post by: Chad on September 21, 2014, 08:26:06 pm
Untwist the bottom loop, twist it back into a rat tail and use a bowyers knot for the bottom nock.


I haven't managed to make a good Flemish string yet, I need to look up the bowyers knot still
Title: Re: Tillering when bow is strung
Post by: George Tsoukalas on September 21, 2014, 08:43:51 pm
I leave it strung only when working near handle wood nd may be a bit beyond and only with a scraper.

I almost cut the string too years ago.

Jawge
Title: Re: Tillering when bow is strung
Post by: George Tsoukalas on September 21, 2014, 08:44:07 pm
I leave it strung only when working near handle wood nd may be a bit beyond and only with a scraper.

I almost cut the string too years ago.

Jawge
Title: Re: Tillering when bow is strung
Post by: Bob Barnes on September 21, 2014, 08:51:46 pm
once I get the tiller pretty even, I leave the string on, mark any stiff spots, scrape the marks off, pull it 25 times on the tiller tree, and then repeat until within 5#...then I sand.... but... WATCH THE STRING..  :o
Title: Re: Tillering when bow is strung
Post by: Pat B on September 21, 2014, 08:53:10 pm
Bowyers knot aka timber hitch.  ;)
Title: Re: Tillering when bow is strung
Post by: DC on September 21, 2014, 08:55:12 pm
I have a scraper handle with a smooth back and once I'm low braced that's all I use.
Title: Re: Tillering when bow is strung
Post by: bow101 on September 21, 2014, 11:01:54 pm
I did a search thinking this question has probably been asked but didn't find anything, I was wondering if I can tiller with the string on??? It would save a little time of destring constantly. This is my first bow so I'm moving pretty slow with the tiller stage, taking only a tiny bit of wood each time. Of course I wouldn't keep strung for long periods of time, but it would expedite my excruciating slow process I'm on.

This would be for fine tuning, just getting the limbs to bend evenly not reducing large amounts of draw weight.

Thanks.

This is exactly what I did today.  Tiller check on the stick then clamp the bow and remove material, easy peasy............. :)
Title: Re: Tillering when bow is strung
Post by: simson on September 22, 2014, 12:08:59 am
Yes do this all the time. But tiller should be nearly o.k.
Title: Re: Tillering when bow is strung
Post by: Chad on September 22, 2014, 08:01:11 pm
Bowyers knot aka timber hitch.  ;)

got it, Thanks! I'm waiting for my Dacron to arrive!
Title: Re: Tillering when bow is strung
Post by: 4dog on September 22, 2014, 09:40:59 pm
I hate to be the guy to do this, but why shouldn't you tiller with the string on? I've only made a half dozen bows and all of them I've tillered with the string on from low brace to finished. They seem OK but what do I know. Other than accidentally cutting the string what problems can it cause?
Thanks
Don

noticed noone answered this.... ;D.....bet everyone does it...more than they will say...might give ya a bit of set but not gonna kill the bow.
Title: Re: Tillering when bow is strung
Post by: Pappy on September 23, 2014, 07:42:03 am
Sometimes for final tweaks,but not normally early in the process, you said it will speed you up and I guess you are right but you need to remember ,it ant a race,slow and steady,removing the string gives you time to think and also gives the bow a little rest. :) :)
 Pappy
Title: Re: Tillering when bow is strung
Post by: kleinpm on September 23, 2014, 11:09:13 am
As soon as I can fit a scraper between the string and the bow I only un string to shorten the string or when I stop working on it of the day. I hold the scraper so my hand is between the top of the scraper and the string and only scrape from the tip to towards the belly. I haven't cut a string yet.

Patrick
Title: Re: Tillering when bow is strung
Post by: DavidV on September 23, 2014, 01:24:00 pm
Make sure you excercise the bow a LOT, I do this but I've found if you don't excercise it you may end up with a hinge where you scraped too much.
Title: Re: Tillering when bow is strung
Post by: DC on September 23, 2014, 03:13:06 pm
Remember that when you exercise the bow you are also exercising yourself. :D :D By the time you finish that 75# bow you might actually be able to pull it ;D ;D