no set bucket of rocks tiller, very technical ,,photos preview added

[bradsmith2010]

ok I am working on a bow,,osage,, very old stave
60 1/2 nock to nock
going for 60# at 26 inches,, so I dont want to pull the bow more than 60#
the bucket weighs 60# and Im still on long string,, hope to get it strung today,,
has some checking so gonna rawhide back it,

I think when it bends just a bit more I am gonna put a string on it and see how it does,,
it dont matter what kind of rocks you use any will do,,

looks a little stiff on the right,,

[sleek]

Get a 2x4 and file a notch in the end ti hold the string. Pull the bow down by the handle. It will be much better to see the tiller without putting all the draw weight on it at once. A 5 dollar luggage scale works great. Put the hook on the handle ( leave the handle un finished, file grooves to secure the hook so it doesnt slip ) and pull down on the scale to get your reading.

Like this

[bradsmith2010]

but Sleek, what about the rocks,,
I like your set up,, once I get it strung, I have a tree with pully so should be ok,,
 

[gifford]

Well, the bucket of rocks or bricks or canned goods seems almost a mite technical for me.

Long stringer, step on string, pull up slowly, lean from side to side for a look-see.

If I can figure out how to use the camera on my new fangled pocket phone, I'll eventually try to take the picture and look method.

Or just breakdown and build another tillering tree. sigh.

[Badger]

 Much easier to read than the tiny little numbers on the scale

[bradsmith2010]

exactly Steve ,, I knew you would understand,,

[Dances with squirrels]

Hey, whatever works for ya I guess.

This brings to mind some of the best advice I've been given.... Be mindful of who you listen to.

[bradsmith2010]

thats great advice,
well I got it strung and its pulling about 50# at 19 inches,,
the tiller needs some tuning up,, but its pretty even,,
has some undulations on both sides of the limbs that are different and some reflex deflex roller coaster,,

I figure the bow would be about 60 at 23 inches and my goal draw is 26 inces so I have some room to even the tiller,,not sure if I gonna pull it to 60 till i rawhide back,, hope I can be patient,,

ok heres the fun part for me,, it shoots great at 19 inches of draw,, one limb up no good,, but the other limb up nice arrow flight,,
so that tells me there is a shooter in there,,

I have been looking at this stave for along time,, it has the darkest color  I have worked with,, so gonna be fun to see how it finishes out,,,,

[George Tsoukalas]

Brad, are you having fun?
Jawge

[bradsmith2010]

yes Jawge,, you know I really like making those bow,, just like a kid,,it never gets old for me,,

[bradsmith2010]

one thing comes to mind, I always here Badger say the long string gonna give you a close guess on the bow weight when strung, well if you look at that bucket on the long string, that 60# o rock is pulling  it about 23 inches I guess, and thats what the bow weights strung up,,60# at 23inches,,, that Badger is a real smart guy,,,,and that bucket proves it for sure,,,,

[willie]

Or just breakdown and build another tillering tree. sigh.

if you are going to get fancy and build a tillering tree, the only other thing you need is a #2 yellow pencil and you can cook with Badgers  no-set  recipe, too.
 

[George Tsoukalas]

Yes, Badger knows his stuff. So do you.
Jawge

[upstatenybowyer]

Brad, is that cherry bark on the back of that osage? Looks cool 

P.S. I like the "bag of rocks method." You know for sure that you're never going over your intended weight. Might just have to try that myself. I've got plenty of rocks!

[bradsmith2010]

Upstate, that is the color of the wood,, its very unique,,
yes as stated any type rock will work for the bucket method,,
as an update,, I just went crazy and got the bow tillered out to 25 inches( about 60#)
, and it shoots really nice,,
the growth rings were so thin I was a bit worried, but it held fine,,
the tiller looks funky on one limb, but it shoot so well I am trying to not look at it that much,one limb had a deflex I tried to heat out but it came back a bit,, right in the working part,,
its still holding about 1 or reflex so has a nice cast,, I had a great time shooting it today,, and having fun is a big part of the bucket tiller method,,,hey and if you want to do some strength training the bucket of rocks works for that too,,

now if I can get my budget to work, I want to shoot a buffalo with this bow,, that would be the real test,,,