ELB build along & piller tiller discussion

[BowJunkie]

Disregard the dimensions Shaun, I just reread the post and saw them.
I was focused more on the bow rather than reading          ,,,, Sweet looking bow

[Shaun]

Finished this one most of the way and added beeswax and handle.





For the wax finish I heat the wood and rub the wax piece along as I heat, use my finger to spread the hot wax (ouch). Once the bow is completely covered, I re heat and use an absorbent clean shop rag to remove excess wax and polish.



Full draw still a little off but will work on it again after its shot in more.  Top limb does not want to come to full compass and is complicated by some flip tip profile, twisted grain and a heat straightened woop de do in the last third (see unbraced pic). Its beat me for now, but I'll be back at it later. Happy with bottom limb.



Specs 70.5" NTN 55# @ 28" (1 1/16 x 7/8 handle, 15/16 x 9/16 mid limb, 1/2 round at tips)

[Shaun]

Another just wrapped up. Yew with horn nocks 68" NTN, 43# @ 27" TruOil finish. The measure on this on is 1 1/8 x 1 handle, 1 x 13/16 mid limb, 9/16 round tips. The actual dimensions of each bow will vary because of individuality in each piece of wood, density, modulus, etc.

Sorry about the dark pics

[Shaun]

More about piller tiller posts. Dimensions not critical, just a good solid base that can be  clamped and will not move.  This set made from scraps around the shop, SPF (white wood or technically Spruce, Pine, Fir) soft 2 x 4's and a chunk of some 5/4 poplar for the base - 2x would work fine for a base. The softer the wood the better for the post as it will not dent/scratch the bow. I rasped out a dish and burnished where the bow tips slides. I believe Brad's set had carpet scraps on the tops.

[Pat B]

Very cool concept Shaun.  Your tiller is so beautiful in these last few bows I maybe should look into this idea.    This old dog don't mind learning new tricks! 

[gstoneberg]

I'm fascinated by this method.  So, do you floor tiller at all or just go right to the pillars as soon as the bow bends at all?  There's definitely a spot on one of my workbenches for this setup.

George

[dbb]

It obviously works because your last two was perfect...and it saves some space too.
Perhaps make some from those supports with plastic rollers that you use with bandsaws and planers...

/Mikael

[RyanY]

Have you noticed any handshock at all with your osage bows of this style?

[Shaun]

gstoneberg, I floor tiller before the cull and flex the limbs against the floor several times after each wood removal to help set the change.

dbb, rollers might be tricky because the bow will try to flip if it has backset or is round. I usually flatten a small spot in the center where the clamp rests to help stabilize.

ryoon4690, some shock with light arrows. Much variability in shooting quality with my ELB's much more so than flat bows. Some of them are just sweet, others are finicky. I think this is a matter of fine tiller tuning in-the-hand and limb timing balance.

[Gus]

Yes Sir!

Thank You for sharing your Build Along and Tillering system.

Regards,

-gus

[coaster500]

Really!!

Great thread!!

[crooketarrow]

   Although your method looks good as well as sounds good. Your still over stressing your limbs. By not tillering to brace height. Ledding to more set and string follow than if you don't tiller to brace height.
  Always work by tillering to your target weight never drawing ( ANY BENDING) your bow until you've reached it. Not like your doing by drawing when to heavy like you said. Your over stressing your limbs. Causing set and string follow. Sure you can make a bow like this. It just won't be as good as it could be. Speeds shouldn't be involved in building selfbows.
  You could try clamping those stave's down when green like your doing with that bar clamp.  Then you eliminate the step of heating the stave to put reflex in. If your worried about speed. Cut it into semi  bow forum I use a ratchet strap or hang cinder blocks off the center.
  SLOW DOWN you won't regret it and you'll build nicer bows.
  Noth trying to change your mine build your bows the way you like, just pointing out your misstakes.

[Shaun]

crooketarrow,  I disagree with you assessment of this method.

[johnston]

Thanks for the build along Shaun. Much food for thought.
Real nice bows also.

Lane

[blackhawk]

I don't see how using this set up correctly by the same rules for low set tiller,and by an experienced person who knows not to go past any hinges or desired weight wood incur any more than normal set or stress than a long string on a tree. I as well disagree with crooketarrow.