Author Topic: Which way do the pieces fly?  (Read 5176 times)

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Offline Badger

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Which way do the pieces fly?
« on: January 06, 2016, 11:20:02 am »
  The other day I was tillering out a 100# longbow. My tiller tree was blocked in so I set up a temporary tree on my workbench where it was just laying flat about waste high. I would use a winch to crank it back and then mark the bow where I needed to remove wood. I did most of the tillering at about 85# draw, I was nervous as hell standing in front of the drawn bow and realized I have no idea where the pieces fly when the bow breaks. I have broken countless bows on my tiller tree and the pieces just seem to go every direction. Now I am wondering if I should stand in front of the bow or behind it when I mark it. It all went well and didn't break but I am sure it will come up again soon.

Offline Dances with squirrels

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Re: Which way do the pieces fly?
« Reply #1 on: January 06, 2016, 11:52:47 am »
The ones that broke on me seemed like the outer limbs came back,(once the string was laying over my shoulder with just 4" of the limb tip in it), and the pieces handier to the break sprung forward.

I think it depends some on why and where it fails.
Straight wood may make a better bow, but crooked wood makes a better bowyer

Offline Badger

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Re: Which way do the pieces fly?
« Reply #2 on: January 06, 2016, 11:55:18 am »
  I never really give it much thought when I am using my regular tiller tree

Offline PEARL DRUMS

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Re: Which way do the pieces fly?
« Reply #3 on: January 06, 2016, 12:00:15 pm »
Just quit breaking Steve :)
Only when the last tree has died and the last river has been poisoned and the last fish has been caught will we realize we cannot eat money.

Offline George Tsoukalas

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Re: Which way do the pieces fly?
« Reply #4 on: January 06, 2016, 12:01:49 pm »
Who knows, Badger?
I've broken enough to know I don't stand anywhere  near a drawn bow under construction.
The one I remember going at full draw hit me in the head.
As for the tillering tree...
I stopped using that years ago when I had a t tree break.
I use a rope and pulley exclusively.
Jawge
Set Happens!
If you ain't breakin' you ain't makin!

Offline Badger

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Re: Which way do the pieces fly?
« Reply #5 on: January 06, 2016, 12:20:01 pm »
Jawge, a rope and pulley is what I call a tillering tree. I usually stand back abut 8 feet or so and pull the rope.

Offline bubby

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Re: Which way do the pieces fly?
« Reply #6 on: January 06, 2016, 12:25:53 pm »
Just quit breaking Steve :)





Friggin funny pearls
failure is an option, everyone fails, it's how you handle it that matters.
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Offline Dakota Kid

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Re: Which way do the pieces fly?
« Reply #7 on: January 06, 2016, 12:47:16 pm »
If it breaks(clean) in two, one piece is in your hand(if you're holding it) the other(the tip) gets pulled by the string over your shoulder. If it breaks(clean) into three pieces, the additional piece is a shard that is propelled forward and is usually smaller than the other two. The third piece will be bow back on one side and the fragmented bow center on the other. If you refit the handle and tip section, the third piece would fit roughly centered over that break. I've only had this happen a couple times, usually with really unfit stave like dry rotted for example. I was really good at collecting bad staves and breaking them when I first started. 
I have nothing but scorn for all weird ideas other than my own.
~Terrance McKenna

Offline PatM

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Re: Which way do the pieces fly?
« Reply #8 on: January 06, 2016, 01:26:24 pm »

Offline Badger

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Re: Which way do the pieces fly?
« Reply #9 on: January 06, 2016, 01:33:58 pm »
   The video was cool, I will stand in front.

Offline Dakota Kid

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Re: Which way do the pieces fly?
« Reply #10 on: January 06, 2016, 01:35:09 pm »
That one almost shot a piece forward. Nice break 8)

 High speed video was made for archery. It's amazing the forces moving around every time you let one fly.
I have nothing but scorn for all weird ideas other than my own.
~Terrance McKenna

Offline bradsmith2010

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Re: Which way do the pieces fly?
« Reply #11 on: January 06, 2016, 01:40:59 pm »
if you are standing 8 ft,, maybe go to 10 or 12 ,,, margin of safety :)

Offline BowEd

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Re: Which way do the pieces fly?
« Reply #12 on: January 06, 2016, 03:19:45 pm »
I used to have the radio playing in the shed while I was tillering.I soon stopped that.I need to hear the instant a little warning tick goes off on that wood.I stand 12' back since working with red cedar.
BowEd
You got to stand for something or you'll fall for anything.
Ed

Offline LittleBen

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Re: Which way do the pieces fly?
« Reply #13 on: January 06, 2016, 06:23:01 pm »
If you're not break in' you're not makin'

Offline Bryce

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Re: Which way do the pieces fly?
« Reply #14 on: January 06, 2016, 07:27:03 pm »
The last time a bow blew up on me the top limb hit me in the noggin and the bottom limb was behind me
Clatskanie, Oregon