breaking a rule of thumb...looking for input

[straightarrow]

I've working on a HHB bow for my girlfriend. Before I started the bow we discussed a draw weight and decided on 40@26. During the tillering process i never drew the bow past the intended target weight. After I tillered it out to her draw and hit 40#'s dead on she shot the bow. I noticed she wasn't getting full draw and there was a little bit of a struggle. I decided at that point to make the bow a little lighter......but also breaking the rule of thumb of drawing past the intended target weight. My question is.....What is the consequences of breaking this rule.....??

Jon

[Pappy]

Nothing, I think what that means if as you begin and especially at the early stages.What you are doing won't cause any noticeable problems. 
   Pappy

[El Destructo]

That rule really only pertains to going over your intended weight...I don't believe that if you went back and retillered it to a slightly lighter Draw Weight..and even a little longer Draw Length that this would stress the Bow in the Least....JMO

[Josh]

yeah, just think of it as making the bow 40@28 instead of 40@26... even if you aren't gonna pull it to 28.   

[George Tsoukalas]

Nothing but for the record, I don't even hit draw weight until 24-25 in. Then I ease it to 26 in while shooting. Jawge

[straightarrow]

Thanks guys for the input. Thanks Josh..... thinking of it that way puts things into perspective. You got my wheels spinning a little, Jawge...What is the reason for easing into 26" Is it to make final adjusts to the tiller? I actually was thinking of tillering to a few inches under then shooting at short draw to see if the tiller changes.....on my next bow. Is this your reason or is there something else I'm missing

Jon

[Del the cat]

Remember the old adage 'rules are for the guidance of wise men and the obedience of fools'.
It doesn't do any harm to overshoot the final weight a little once the bow has been tillered a good bit unless you are building a bow right on the limit of maximum performance. Afterall you'd expect a few inches of extra draw length built in for safety (or over enthusiastic flight shooting ).
I'd think overdrawing early in the tillering process or when the wood is green is more detramental.
Reducing draw weight is less likely to harm a bow than trying to squeeze out extra weight by shortenning, reflexing etc.
Del

[George Tsoukalas]

Jon, that way I ease into full draw without stressing the bow much. Note that I don't even hit target weight until 25 in. That way I have extra weight for sanding, etc at 26 in. I don't believe in horsing in a tiller. I like to think I coax a bow to tiller. Jawge

[Badger]

   I agree with you Jawge, a little patience really pays off. Rules only matter if something goes wrong, if nothng goes wrong you are fine. Steve

[straightarrow]

Thank you guys...This was the first time i've been in the situtation when a bow was too heavy for the shooter and I wasn't sure if it caused damage to the bow. Your input has been useful jawge, Josh, steve and del. I have allowed three pounds for sanding on my prior bows.....Anyhow the bow is turning a out great!!!.....I got a few more coats of finish..I will post it soon. I am really excited about this one. The bow is my first reflex/deflex and the first time I applied snake skins. Its another Hop Hornbeam....man...I love that wood

Jon