Just trying to get ready to stain and finish my first selfbow and wanted to get some thoughts on the final tiller before I do so. I know it's definitely not perfect but do you guys see any glaring issues I should try to resolve before finishing this one? Thanks again for all your help guys, this place is full of great people who have helped me tremendously along the way! Thanks Tye

Your lower limb looks a slightly bit stiffer than the upper to me, but it could be the camera angle. Do you have a tiller board so you could measure it?

Over all, a very fine job, I don't know that I would mess with it.

Congrats.

TMBB

Most of us like the lower limb to be slightly stiffer (positive tiller). You've improved the tiller a great deal since your last pics. Nice job. Your bends are pretty smooth and even. On your next one, you might wanna try getting it working just slightly more out of the fades? But keep in mind there is no one perfect way to tiller a bow;-) The ultimate feedback comes with how it shoots, how much set it takes and how it holds up. You are way ahead of the curve for your first bow!

Lovely

Very nice. You did well. Congratulations! Jawge

I like it as is.

I think your tiller itself looks good but for overall design more information is needed, like your draw length, bow length/width and type of wood. The unstrung profile tells allot too. I only say this because it is possible that you could use a tiny bit more bend out of the fades, especially if the bow is taking set. Just my two cents.

Mark

I think it looks great.

Camera and bow angles do often present a false impression. I can't see this business about the lower limb being stiffer. It does look shorter, as is the historical/traditional way. But if anything, the bend looks greater in the lower limb to me--which it would need to be if that limb is an inch or so shorter.

Looks like a shooter to me.

Jim

Again, camera angle changes things.

How's the bow shoot? That's my final tiller check as a rule. If it balances well when you draw it, sits in your hand mannerly when you shoot an arrow, the tiller is on the money.

Thanks guys! I started finishing it! I appreciate the thoughts! It shoots great as it is so I hope it turns out over the long run.

Looks like quite a nice job, particularly for a first effort. I hope my first turns out as well. Nicely done sir!

Well, since you asked: to my eye the lower limb bends too much about 8" beyond the fadeout of the riser. Almost a hinge.

Now that can be an optical illusion in a bow drawn canted, and because most bows are built with the handle below center.

The way to find out is to place the tillering tree in front of a grid so we can see more accurately. It is also helpful to use a protractor or carpenter's tools to measure the angle of the string to the limb tips. - lbg

Longbow guy I agree with ya on the bottom limb. That been said I wish my first one would have been half that good. Well done. Arvin

I saw the hingy place as well but though it might be the camera angle.

Thanks for the input everyone! I will make a grid to place behind the tiller tree for the next one and watch those hinges closely. Here is an unstrung picture:

Nice! Arvin

If you have already registered, please

sign in now

For new registrations

Click Here