tiller help

[gilbarbarian]

This is my first bend in the handle bow. It is from a short and small osage limb. Does this arc look ok for this size? It is n2n 55". It is 1 1/4" wide 5/8" thick at the middle and 3/16" wide at the tips.
Thanks
http://i1007.photobucket.com/albums/af196/gilbarbarian/17ec5cde-55cd-4ebe-b410-83820879243d.jpg?t=1418588978

[bushboy]

Looks good to me!

[Danzn Bar]

Got a nice bend going on right there....   We need to see some more pics
DBar

[gilbarbarian]

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[gilbarbarian]

[burchett.donald]

  I was about to say the upper center is stiff in the first picture until I seen the reflexed area in the unbraced picture...How's she shoot?
                                                                                                               Don

[gilbarbarian]

It shoots pretty nice. It's pulling #64 @ 27" so it shoots hard. I need to put a grip on there with an arrow rest to get a better feel for how smooth it shoots.

[burchett.donald]

   What did you use to bend those tight hooks to aid your string angle? Looks great...
                                                                                                                               Don
 

[gilbarbarian]

I cut a caul into my workbench and used a heat gun. I've never been able to not get splinters in the belly as I am bending wood. Wih a heat gun but I this one I had enough to play with. I use oil to keep it from scorching but it never gets as hot as steaming. I could be doing something wrong though. Jeff

[bentstick54]

Not sure why you think you might be doing something wrong. Looks pretty darn good to me. If you get tired of it send it my way.😃 I would be proud to shoot it.

[George Tsoukalas]

gilbarbarian, tiller looks good though I like a little less bending in the handle. Is she shocky on you?
Jawge

[mikekeswick]

To stop the splinters work the belly to one growth ring. Make sure it's not too thick. Round all edges front and back. Also something which you don't see mentioned often is to soak the tip in water for a couple/three days before bending. For more extreme bends then using a form with a strip of thin steel attached for the belly tension will really help.
I find it's mainly to do with the wood being too thick. Now I work them down to virtually finished bow thickness before bending and that has really cut down on any splinter problems.

[gilbarbarian]

Thanks guys. George it does shake a little but not to bad. Mike, thanks for the advise. Jeff.