Here we go again. If you watched Stalking Tiller Live II you know we built a great bow until I tried to draw it to 29" and it blew. Go to the Stalking Tiller Live II Page if you didn't see it. It'll break your heart :-)
Here's the vitals:
Another ash bow being made for my buddy Kenny.
Draw length: 29"
Target weight: 60#
Style: Flat bellied flatbow, assymetrical limb length, rigid handle
NTN length: 70" (71.5" total length)
Handle width/length: 1.5" W X 4" L
Length of fades: 3"
Max. Width of limbs: 1 15/16" for 1/2 of limbs tapering to nocks
Nock width: 1/2" for now - final, 3/8" or so
Thursday 12/30 2:00 p.m.
Here are the initial photos.
I'm just about to start floor tillering. It's been trued up for
width and I'm taking her down to thickness now. It might be pretty
slow going since I'm taking my time on this one...really! See ya'
in a little while.
12/30 3:55
I didn't get much done on the bow except getting to final rough out.
Taking the time and getting it right. I'll hopefully be able to get
some more stuff up tomorrow and New Years Day. See ya then.
1/3/00 9:30
Here's where we are. I've got the thing down to floor tiller weight and put it on the tree for a look.
Floor Tillering
Pulled to a 3"
Strung to 4"
As you can see, the upper limb (left) is much too stiff. It is the more reflexed limb so this is expected. I'll work on it to get it even with the lower limb.
Here's a question:
There is a spot on the upper limb that has a raised spot like over a knot. It is smack dab in the center of the limb and makes the center much thicker than the sides. That is why the limb is so stiff there. If I reduce the limb flat across the belly, the sides will be significantly thinner than the middle. In my mind this could cause a problem. Essentially, we have a very localized crown in that spot. If I reduce it just in the center of the belly (through "dishing" it out?), the thickness will be more uniform. Suggestions?????
Here's the photo:
It's kinda exagerrated here but I'd guess there is a 2/16" thickness
difference in the center of the limb...the localized crown??????
1/3/99 12:00
After about 20 passes with the "Bowyer's Edge" I got some movement. The tiller measurements had me needing to take between 5/16" and 11/16" off of the top limb. I got between 3/16" and 2/16" of movement this time around.
A couple folks have expressed concern that I have strung this bow before getting the limbs even. I guess that's fair but I have a hard time seeing the difference without having it strung. The bow is pulling about 80# now if I had to guess (based on floortillering a known weight bow to the same degree) I have only pulled it to 20# or so. Will the difference in limbs really cause that much problems at that low weight? Am I harming the spirit of this bow by stringing it this early?
Here's what she looks like so far:
We're still way off in evening out those limbs. Back to the vise
:-)
12:30
It's moving some. This is after about 20 passes with the "Edge"
1:30
After a couple more rounds, we're edging up on it.
A couple more rounds ought to do it!
1:50
After 2 more rounds...still off but closer. That's it for the day. See ya tomorrow!
4:45
Couldn't leave without getting them to measure even. This is as close as I'm getting for now.
They still look a little off but measurements show a +/- of 1/16" at 3" increments along both limbs. I'm gonna start bending it a little on the tillering tree I hope to have set up tomorrow. See ya then!
Go to Page 2 of Stalking Tiller Live III for the rest of the story.
Email me with comments or suggestions or post them on the Leatherwall
Take me back to John's Bowyer Page
Take me back to John's Home Page