Cracking sounds...

[Johnny K]

I'm working on an oak pyramid bow for my little sister who is turning 10 in a couple of days... I'm kind of worried though... sometimes when I draw the bow, it makes little, very quiet cracking/splintering sounds that seem to emanate from the fades... what should I do? I can't see anything on the bow. Backing it with linen or silk or something, would that help? Or is my tiller bad? Or do I have to give up on it altogether?

Would appreciate any advice/comments.

Thanks,
John

[bushboy]

If you can't feel anything I would rub the back with cotton wool both ways and check the belly for fretts.

[okie64]

You're getting close to a hinge off that left fade. Get that limb working more mid and outer limb. Right limb is better but still working too much inner limb in my opinion.

[mullet]

Yes, what okie said.Look real close on the belly near both fades and see if you have some small wiggly cracks.

[bow101]

If you had more working fade into the transition it would be ok.  As is you may end up under weight.  Like others say on here dont touch the fades until the final tillering and even then be very careful.

[huisme]

If you can't feel anything I would rub the back with cotton wool both ways and check the belly for fretts.

+1. I'd also get the outers bending more?

[Joec123able]

Bending to much at both fades

[Del the cat]

A picture is worth a thousand words.
Del

[mikekeswick]

Remember though it is a pyramid.
Make yourself a tillering gizmo. With this bow you are looking for equal bend everywhere along the whole limb apart from a shade less bend at your fades.

[Johnny K]

Thanks for all the replies! And that picture is VERY helpful, Del! Thanks.

I will try to get the outer limbs bending some more, and hope those hinges haven't caused any splintering yet... I can still afford to lose a couple of pounds of draw weight I think, so that should make it easier.

Thanks again everybody!

John