How the gizmo came to be.

[wizardgoat]

Are these gizmos effective on character bows with some wiggle in the profile?
Does the bow have to be strung and drawn on a tillering stick to use one?

[darinputman]

I consider myself very fortunate to have met Eric Krewson through the forums and after taking him up on an offer to teach me how to build a selfbow now to also call him a friend. One of the first things he showed me was the gizmo and how to use it. Although it's not the answer to all problems with a stave and you still have to work around knots, waves and other natural imperfections in the wood, it sure does help a greenhorn like me out as long as I use it. The question was asked about elliptical tiller and  here is an in process picture of a bow I was working on with what I believe is an elliptical tiller and it helped me all the way to the end.

[mikekeswick]

Yes they are a great tool. I've got a little osage and lignum vitae one I made. I use a bolt in mine and use a pencil to mark where the bolt touches simply because a bolt will last forever and it's no big deal to mark it separately.
I use mine primarily on laminated elbs and they need a highly elliptical tiller. In fact i've just finished one that holds 1 inch of 1 1/4 inches of glued in reflex - tillered perfectly and this tool makes it take half the time. I really like it because of how accurate it allows you to be. I can spot tiny stiff/weak spots with it that eyes alone can't spot.

[PaulN/KS]

Another Thank You to Eric for sharing his gizmo with the rest of the bow making world.

[Arrowind]

A big thanks from me as well!  very cool tool!  I use one and very often I just use a block of wood with no pencil to quickly check for flat spots. 
very helpful! thanks again!

[lesken2011]

I ran into and got to shoot a round with Eric at Tannehill a couple of years ago and was lucky enough to be the recipient of one of his gizmos. After many more bows under my belt, I still use it today. Sometimes you look at a bow on the tree until you're cross eyed and the gizmo helps you find those hard to miss stiff spots. Thanks again Eric.