Tiller check - Pyramid Maple Bow

[Jake Spoon]

Hey everybody, thank you for the feedback on this bow.


Alas! I have been thwarted once again. I was originally shooting for 35-40#s at 27." I had it tillered out to 24" and drawing 38# when it broke into 4 pieces.

It hadn't taken much set . . . I think I can attribute this failure to board selection? . . . much like the hickory board I broke previously.

I was given some good advice in that thread to try and get my hands on a stave to work with. I was working on this board because I already had it. I have traded for a piece of osage in the meantime and I believe I will take a little break until I have it in hand. Thank you all again for your feedback!!

- Jake

[Muskyman]

That really sucks Jake. Hope the Osage works out better for you. I think it will. It’s tough wood and I’d bet you’ll do well with it.

[medicinewheel]

Damn...
Looks like bad grain orientation from the picture.

[Pappy]

That stinks, been there done that and it always stinks.
 Pappy

[superdav95]

ya that does suck. but the experience you gleaned from this failure will make you a better bowyer for the next one.  keep at it and keep us posted with the next piece of wood

[bjrogg]

ya that does suck. but the experience you gleaned from this failure will make you a better bowyer for the next one.  keep at it and keep us posted with the next piece of wood

I agree. Your tiller looked pretty good. I think you will be successful with a nice stave. It looks like the grain ran off the side too much on that board.

Bjrogg

[WhistlingBadger]

Oooooo, that always hurts.  Looks like you had some pretty bad grain runoff.  Tillering was looking great.  Time to get a new piece of wood and get back on the horse.

[Badger]

Jake, your bow’s tiller is certainly good enough to move forward. You haven’t told us what your goal is for draw length or draw weight. If you’re planning on a 40 or 45lb bow, it’s time to pull it to that weight. If there are “small” tiller tweaks that could be made, the additional strain will help identify those areas. You’re doing a good job and I’m sure you’ll have a lot of fun with your bow.

These are my thoughts also.

[Selfbowman]

Does seem to me that mid and outer a little stiff left limb. Maybe just outer right. It looks really close.

+1

+ 2

Left is lower limb I reckon?

[organic_archer]

Ah, bummer! Tiller was going well, but it looks like the board had too much runout. Gotta be real picky with unbacked boards. "Close enough" grain is usually a recipe for disaster, especially with maple.