Antler tip overlays

[jamesddavis73]

Guys,

    I am currently working on a semi-character osage bow that is almost through the floor tillering stage.  When should I glue on the antler tip onverlays that I am working on?  Before tillering or after?  Also, never trying overlays before, on an unbacked bow, should all of the shaping to ensure a close fit at the limb edges be done on the antler tips, or is it ok to violate the back of the bow where the tip overlays will go?

Thanks,

James

[Kegan]

This is jsut my epxerience for overlays:

If I'm leaving the tips wide  to get it tilelred, I do it any time. Normally I like to do them first though, and you pretty much have to if the limbs are narrowed first.

I've violated the rings getting both suerfaces flat on bows up to and over 80#, so I don't worry about it anymore.

Hope this helps.

[Jmilbrandt]

Sand the antlers flat on the bottom and sand the bow tips flat angling down towards the tips. This works great and give you a good clean fit. Also I would do the overlays near final tillering.

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