how does my tiller look?

[Ben Cooper]

Hi all, i think i have finally finished my 1st ever bow. does the tiller look OK?


Regards
Ben

[gfugal]

It looks pretty good! you may not want to adjust it if it's at target weight. I probably wouldn't. It seems to me that the bottom limb bends a little more near the fades and the other more in the mid to outer portions but it's very subtle, if I'm even seeing it right. That and the top limb looks barely stiffer. Again, it could just be my eyes or the angle. 

[George Tsoukalas]

Congratulations, Ben. Awesome!

The top limb appears to have a different tiller from the bottom. Bottom limb looks great. Top limb appears to bend more in the middle but it may be the way you are holding the bow.

Can you hold it straight up and then have someone snap a digi. or are you and I'm mistaken.

I don't think I'd touch it. Enjoy.

Jawge

[Ben Cooper]

I think the top does bend a bit more in the middle, but i didn't want to take anymore off as it felt good to draw back as in weight (i didn't want to lose anymore weight). unfortunately i don't have a way of measuring the weight. I am just making arrows for it now, so i wont be able to test it for a few more days.

he is a pic of it strung up, brace height is 6"


Regards
Ben

[mikekeswick]

You need to weaken the upper limb a little. A finished bow should show the upper limb a tiny bit weaker than the lower. This is because when a bow is drawn you don't hold it dead center or pull the string dead center hence the forces on the limbs are 'uneven'. If you leave it as is the lower limb will get worse and start acting weaker still, this also leads to handshock.
you won't lose much weight at all. Use 60 grit paper, put pencil marks on the inner 2/3rds of the limb and sand them off, do it again and you should be good. A gentle scrape or sand through the finer grits and you will have a much more durable bow than if you just leave it as is.

[loon]

Yeah, the top one looks more 'whippy', like the inner/outer 1/3 is bending plenty more... maybe you could scrape it closer to the inner limbs? (should you?) and leave the bendy part alone, just fine sand, maybe burnish the back and belly?..

[Ben Cooper]

Thanks all! Are you saying to scrape near the upper limb fade?

[Del the cat]

Looks good to me, I'd leave it alone... plenty of time to fiddle and fettle it after a month or year when you want to improve it.
It's easy to improve things to the point where they are ruined.
Used to have an expression in electronics MBR (Mended beyond repair) 
Del

[George Tsoukalas]

As you draw, Ben, you can sense if the bow is tipping or if the handle pressure is uneven indicating the tiller is off.

If you want to stiffen the bottom limb move your arrow pass down a bit.

Otherwise, leave it and enjoy.

More on my site.

http://traditionalarchery101.com

Jawge

[Springbuck]

Listen to George.

 Tiller is not PERFECT, but it really isn't bad at all, so next questions are "Does it feel good in the hand?  Does it shoot?"

 Also, in a similar vein, how is the set?  If it hasn't taken excessive set then that means there is enough wood for the design to tolerate those TINY imperfection, (and they are pretty small) so you are good!

Congrats and welcome aboard.

[Red Arrow]

I'm new myself so I may be wrong but if you don't have an arrow shelf cut in you could try turning it over to see how it looks and feels that way.

[Ben Cooper]

Thank you all for your input. The arrow is almost finished so i will shoot the bow soon and take it from there.


Regards
Ben

[Ben Cooper]

There is about 1.5 inches of string follow. And the arrow is finished.

[George Tsoukalas]

1.5 inches of follow is excellent. Jawge

[DuBois]

"Mended beyond repair" I love it Del!
I've never done this mind you, but it's a great saying.

Welcome on Ben, I think it is a fine bow and arrow and I agree: shoot it and enjoy. You can always tweak on it later if you don't like something about it.
What is the wood, dimensions....
Marco