First Ash Flatbow

[Perkinator]

This is my first bow since reading The Traditional Bowyer's Bible. It is somewhere around my goal of #50 at 26" (although I may have made it a tad weak). It has taken a set in both limbs, more so in the weaker top limb with three knots. Is my tiller good? and is the set due to too much moisture in humid Mississippi, faulty tiller, or something else? Any help or advice would be great. This is my second shooter, but the first took a terrible set (it is basicallly permanantly in braced position), so I would like to make this a little better. Thanks in advance!

[Jim Davis]

I think we need a picture....

[Perkinator]

The bow at low brace height

[Perkinator]

OOps  I am just learning how to put pictures (first time)

[Perkinator]

On the tillering stick

[Perkinator]

This is where the tiller is now. This is pulled to #30.

[burchett.donald]

    Perkinator, Your tiller looks fine from here...First off I would ask you if the wood was completely dry when you started? Did you pull past your intended draw weight during tillering? Also a tillering stick or tree can be damaging if you leave it locked in position for a length of time. My guess would be moisture since your bow seems to be tillered well and has plenty of width. Also try to take pictures while you pull it back for a minimum amount of time, then you can stare at the pic all day long if you want and decide where to scrape wood on your next session without leaving the bow screaming for mercy. I now use a rope and pulley system, rope in one hand and camera in the other. Post some pics of the unstrung profile, maybe a deep heat tempering will bring it back in some?
                                                                                                                        Don

[Del the cat]

Firstly, you've done well to make a shooter at all, so don't be hard on yourself
Look at the bow and see where the set is, that tells you what part of the limb is working too hard (it's usually mid limb or near the grip).
If you want to experiment with this bow try to get the rest of the limb doing more work, this will loose some draw weight, but then strap it up flat or even V slightly reflexed and heat treat the belly. I suggest protecting the back with loads of masking tape or clamping some thin slats to the edge of the bow to help keep the heat on the belly.
The main thing with heat treating is slow... don't just scorch the surface... it should take at least 30 mins per limb maybe more like 45... it's a great way of getting bored
The heat treating will do two jobs , it will take out some of the set and also harden/stiffen up the belly. make your worksop cosy warm and nice smelling too
Del

[sieddy]

Thats looking good mate- keep at it and good luck

[Perkinator]

Thanks so much guys! I haven't really pulled it past the intended draw weight, but the humidity in Mississippi is really high most of the time, so it definately could be moisture. I put it in a PVC pipe with warm air flowing over it (a small hair dryer on low taped to the back of the pipe) and put the end with the most set nearest the heat source. When I took it out, I straitened it by hand, and some of the set left, but I think that it will returen if I don't toast the belly. Again thanks so much.