Got a few hours (actually more than I care to admit) into this selfbow. Winter is here so time to get it finished up. 64 ntn.

Need some additional help with tillering. Appears to be a hinge in the limb?

braced.

Have you already drawn it to 28"?

No. But maybe to 24"

Bends only in the fades. Right out of the handle. Stay away from that area. The rest of both limbs are stiff. You need to get everything bending..limbs should tapper in Width and or thickness from fades to tip. Less stress towards tips so to get them to bend they need to be thinner. More stress towards handle so it needs to be thicker than tips.

Bjrogg

ok. Thanks.

You are going to have to work the rest of the limb to get it bending more so all the bend is not right there in the fade. Of course the other limb has to be worked the same. Chances are you will end up with a bow much lighter than you planned but it is salvageable.Then again I don't know what the weight is now or what you want it to end up. A lot of first bows end up as kids bows but were great learning experiences. Don't draw the bow past the weight you want to end up with. If you want 40 pounds don't draw it past 40 pounds even if it is only a few inches. don't forget to exercise it after each wood removal. Good luck. >>>>------> Ken

BJ nailed it. I'll add to what he said. DONT draw that bow past 12" until you get it corrected. Drawing it to 24" already has cost you a few inches of set and some performance decline. Are you familiar with Eric Krewson's Gizmo? If not, become familiar before you continue. It will solve ALL your tiller issues on this particular blank. One other thing, be sure your bow sits on your tree perfectly horizontally so you can get a true reading of each limbs strength. It appears to tip to the right.

It's very common for beginners to have this problem. It's where the bow has the most stress and wants to bend most. The trick is to spread all the stress out over the entire limb. Make everything bend.

Bjrogg

I thought about putting a hula hoop behind it to see it a little better. I do have a tillering gizmo but don't have too much confidence in using it yet. Thanks all.

Justin

Yes there is a bad hinge at the right hand fade. It will most likely never go away now as bad as it is and you pulling the bow to 24 inches. Did you floor tiller the bow and get the limbs bending nicely before going to the tree?

You now need to reduce the wood outside of that hinge to weaken the outer limb area, doing that will help remove the hinge. And the left limb will need worked as you work the right limb.

Used properly, the Gizmo is a great tiller tool.

I think Eric has very complete and simple instructions for his Gizmo. I would spend your free time learning it before you work on the bow again, its very, very simple.

Concentrate on the outer 1/3, you'll get handshock from the fade bending but it may be manageable with heavy arrows and low stretch string.Its all different every time and every bow gets better.Youll get a bow out of it.

I agree with Pearl. I've actually never used one but if I'd have known about them I'm sure they would have helped. I've seen a lot of beginners bows that used them and they were quite impressive.

Try to look for the straight areas. They need to disappear and become curved. Everyone has their own way. I like to get the outer limb moving first then keep moving inwards and revisiting the areas I've done as I go inwards.

You still can get a bow from that stave. You will be limited by that hinge. Keep working at it though. It's a good learning experience.

Bjrogg

become curved. That really helped me see what the problem is!!!!! Thank you. Currently about 75@24"

Justin

It takes awhile to develop a eye for this.

Bjrogg

Currently about 75@24"

Do not pull that bow to 24 inches anymore.

Every Time you do you are making that hinge worse.

Don't pull it past your intended draw weight either.

Bjrogg

^5 Yup

They don't let me post a link here but go to the Primitive Archer site and look in the how to section. I have posted complete instructions for making and use a gizmo there.

you got some good advice take your time,,

Thanks Eric!

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