Tiller Under Tension?

[PeteDavis]

Is tillering always done without tension on the stave?
Do bowyers ever scrape flat spots with some curve pulled into the bow, or is it always best to mark those spots and scrape, then re-tension the bow to ascertain results?

[FlintWalker]

Some folks prefer to remove the string before scraping any wood off, but I always tiller my bows from a braced position.   Call me lazy, but I don't like removing the string every time I want to scrape on it.

[Badger]

Same as Saw filer, I tiller mine braced.

[George Tsoukalas]

It depends on where the wood needs to be removed and the stage of tillering. In the beginning I'll unstring. If wood needs to be removed from the handle out to mid limb towards the end of the tillering process then I'll leave it strung. If wood needs to be removed mid limb towards tips I'll unstring. Jawge

[Josh]

^^^same as Jawge.   

[Pappy]

Same as Jawges.
   Pappy

[Del the cat]

Some of each...
Del

[half eye]

Pete,
       I tiller mine from low brace and use a series of sticks (progressively longer) to keep tension as the bow comes back. I think it works better, nothing to do with lazy etc. and it works for me.
Rich

[PeteDavis]

Thanks all. Under tension was how I did my first. Good to know I was legit.
I'll do this next bow the same way.

PD

[aznboi3644]

I'm too lazy to build a tiller tree.  So far I use a mirror and tiller from brace.