Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Ben Cooper on March 16, 2017, 08:23:49 pm

Title: how does my tiller look?
Post by: Ben Cooper on March 16, 2017, 08:23:49 pm
Hi all, i think i have finally finished my 1st ever bow. does the tiller look OK?


Regards
Ben
Title: Re: how does my tiller look?
Post by: gfugal on March 16, 2017, 08:27:25 pm
It looks pretty good! you may not want to adjust it if it's at target weight. I probably wouldn't. It seems to me that the bottom limb bends a little more near the fades and the other more in the mid to outer portions but it's very subtle, if I'm even seeing it right. That and the top limb looks barely stiffer. Again, it could just be my eyes or the angle. 
Title: Re: how does my tiller look?
Post by: George Tsoukalas on March 16, 2017, 10:51:38 pm
Congratulations, Ben. Awesome!

The top limb appears to have a different tiller from the bottom. Bottom limb looks great. Top limb appears to bend more in the middle but it may be the way you are holding the bow.

Can you hold it straight up and then have someone snap a digi. or are you and I'm mistaken.

I don't think I'd touch it. Enjoy.

Jawge
Title: Re: how does my tiller look?
Post by: Ben Cooper on March 16, 2017, 11:25:19 pm
I think the top does bend a bit more in the middle, but i didn't want to take anymore off as it felt good to draw back as in weight (i didn't want to lose anymore weight). unfortunately i don't have a way of measuring the weight. I am just making arrows for it now, so i wont be able to test it for a few more days.

he is a pic of it strung up, brace height is 6"


Regards
Ben
Title: Re: how does my tiller look?
Post by: mikekeswick on March 17, 2017, 03:04:50 am
You need to weaken the upper limb a little. A finished bow should show the upper limb a tiny bit weaker than the lower. This is because when a bow is drawn you don't hold it dead center or pull the string dead center hence the forces on the limbs are 'uneven'. If you leave it as is the lower limb will get worse and start acting weaker still, this also leads to handshock.
you won't lose much weight at all. Use 60 grit paper, put pencil marks on the inner 2/3rds of the limb and sand them off, do it again and you should be good. A gentle scrape or sand through the finer grits and you will have a much more durable bow than if you just leave it as is.
Title: Re: how does my tiller look?
Post by: loon on March 17, 2017, 03:23:59 am
Yeah, the top one looks more 'whippy', like the inner/outer 1/3 is bending plenty more... maybe you could scrape it closer to the inner limbs? (should you?) and leave the bendy part alone, just fine sand, maybe burnish the back and belly?..
Title: Re: how does my tiller look?
Post by: Ben Cooper on March 17, 2017, 04:14:15 am
Thanks all! Are you saying to scrape near the upper limb fade?
Title: Re: how does my tiller look?
Post by: Del the cat on March 17, 2017, 05:08:51 am
Looks good to me, I'd leave it alone... plenty of time to fiddle and fettle it after a month or year when you want to improve it.
It's easy to improve things to the point where they are ruined.
Used to have an expression in electronics MBR (Mended beyond repair)  >:D
Del
Title: Re: how does my tiller look?
Post by: George Tsoukalas on March 17, 2017, 09:04:12 am
As you draw, Ben, you can sense if the bow is tipping or if the handle pressure is uneven indicating the tiller is off.

If you want to stiffen the bottom limb move your arrow pass down a bit.

Otherwise, leave it and enjoy.

More on my site.

http://traditionalarchery101.com

Jawge
Title: Re: how does my tiller look?
Post by: Springbuck on March 17, 2017, 10:14:00 am
Listen to George.

 Tiller is not PERFECT, but it really isn't bad at all, so next questions are "Does it feel good in the hand?  Does it shoot?"

 Also, in a similar vein, how is the set?  If it hasn't taken excessive set then that means there is enough wood for the design to tolerate those TINY imperfection, (and they are pretty small) so you are good!

Congrats and welcome aboard.
Title: Re: how does my tiller look?
Post by: Red Arrow on March 17, 2017, 11:22:10 am
I'm new myself so I may be wrong but if you don't have an arrow shelf cut in you could try turning it over to see how it looks and feels that way.
Title: Re: how does my tiller look?
Post by: Ben Cooper on March 17, 2017, 07:09:51 pm
Thank you all for your input. The arrow is almost finished so i will shoot the bow soon and take it from there.


Regards
Ben
Title: Re: how does my tiller look?
Post by: Ben Cooper on March 18, 2017, 03:22:22 am
There is about 1.5 inches of string follow. And the arrow is finished.
Title: Re: how does my tiller look?
Post by: George Tsoukalas on March 18, 2017, 09:40:46 am
1.5 inches of follow is excellent. Jawge
Title: Re: how does my tiller look?
Post by: DuBois on March 18, 2017, 09:49:19 am
"Mended beyond repair" I love it Del!
I've never done this mind you, but it's a great saying.

Welcome on Ben, I think it is a fine bow and arrow and I agree: shoot it and enjoy. You can always tweak on it later if you don't like something about it.
What is the wood, dimensions....
Marco
Title: Re: how does my tiller look?
Post by: Ben Cooper on March 18, 2017, 06:20:27 pm
The wood is spotted gum, 69" ntn (71" end to end), 2" at the fades and tapers to 0.8" at the tips. Braced at 6" and a 28" draw. Unfortunetly i cannot measure the weight.
Title: Re: how does my tiller look?
Post by: Bob W. on March 18, 2017, 10:14:13 pm
Nice bow Ben!
Title: Re: how does my tiller look?
Post by: Ben Cooper on March 19, 2017, 01:30:49 am
Thanks Bob!

I just went and shot the bow for the 1st time & my actual 1st time shooting a bow. I missed the target more than i hit it, but it was fun. I did a long distance test and it ended travelling 123 pacers. Happy!!
Title: Re: how does my tiller look?
Post by: turtle on March 19, 2017, 02:32:08 am
Nice first bow. You can  check draw weight with nothing more than a bathroom scale and a board. (SH)
Title: Re: how does my tiller look?
Post by: Ben Cooper on March 19, 2017, 04:40:01 am
Ok, based on turtles advice, i weighed the bow on the bathroom scales... it came in at 30kg at 28" draw, minus the 5.2kg the tillering tree weighed it came in at a total 24.8kg, which converted to lbs is 54.6lbs. Not bad!
Title: Re: how does my tiller look?
Post by: H Rhodes on March 19, 2017, 08:28:15 am
  Awesome first bow!  Tiller looks pretty darn good to me.  Shoot some arrows through that bad boy and then make another one.  :BB
Title: Re: how does my tiller look?
Post by: Ben Cooper on March 19, 2017, 08:37:55 am
My 2 youngest boys are already at me to make them one each, so i will be building them 1 next.
Title: Re: how does my tiller look?
Post by: bjrogg on March 19, 2017, 08:45:18 am
Nice bow Ben and a good weight to. Making those kids bows is a great experience. It also teaches you to get the whole bow bending and how to reach your desired draw weight.
     Did you shoot a arrow yet? Man I was totally hooked when I let my first arrow go. Off it went spiraling to the 4 foot by 4 foot foam insulation target I made. Got a lot better at all this stuff since then but that was a great feeling I'll never forget.
Bjrogg
Title: Re: how does my tiller look?
Post by: bjrogg on March 19, 2017, 08:54:38 am
Looks good to me, I'd leave it alone... plenty of time to fiddle and fettle it after a month or year when you want to improve it.
It's easy to improve things to the point where they are ruined.
Used to have an expression in electronics MBR (Mended beyond repair)  >:D
Del
Del that's great advice for knappers too. :-K
Bjrogg
Title: Re: how does my tiller look?
Post by: Ben Cooper on March 19, 2017, 05:56:09 pm
Did you shoot a arrow yet? Man I was totally hooked when I let my first arrow go. Off it went spiraling to the 4 foot by 4 foot foam insulation target I made. Got a lot better at all this stuff since then but that was a great feeling I'll never forget.
Bjrogg

I sure have bjrogg, i had my 1st shot yesterday! need to work on my form as the string smashed my arm. i set up a bail of straw in the backyard, i hit every time except once, which hit the metal fence behind ( i did go over to a park earlier in the day, i missed most of my target shots then).

yes, I AM HOOKED!!


Regards
Ben

Title: Re: how does my tiller look?
Post by: bjrogg on March 19, 2017, 06:22:51 pm
Great Ben, I'm sure we'll be seeing more from you.  (SH)
Bjrogg
Title: Re: how does my tiller look?
Post by: Red Arrow on March 19, 2017, 06:47:33 pm
Ouch! You might want to use an armguard next time. 😉