Tillering A Laminated Longbow

Tillering stick every bowyer needs a tillering stick.

Tillering a laminated longbow.

I tiller my bows even for a 3 under shooter. Most bows are tillered to approximately 1 8 1 4 positive measurement on the upper limb when the bow is to be shot split fingered. Perfect tiller hinged tiller flat spot. Time to tiller the bow.

Never pull the bow past your desired weight. Tillering is the adjustment of tiller by removing material from a bow limb or limbs. The design includes a flat base which makes it easier to use. He makes very high performing laminated bows.

Our tillering stick is made from solid wood and is notched every two inches from 4 to 28. Cut the laminates using a circular saw or a band saw. I ve never made a laminated bow but i d expect that how much you come in on each limb depends on how wide the limb is and what materials are in the limb. The pine hollow longbows tillering stick reveals how your stave is reacting to the corrections you re making during the tillering process.

This means that if after you first string the bow you pull 45 at the first notch on the tiller stick then you need to stop and achieve a good tiller. The dimensions of the belly laminate should be about 75 by 1 1 2 by 1 and the dimensions of the back laminate 75 by 1 1 2 by 3 16. You can see how he traps the limbs. But before a persons gets to the point that the benefits of laminating are outweighing the extra troubles a laminated bow creates you have to do some serious experimenting and to expect some failed bows.

A laminated bow offers more options as far as wood combinations and design goes. That said be prepared to break a few bows. Basically the bottom limb is drawn a bit farther than the top limb each shot and the top limb gets a head start on the bottom limb upon release. The grain of the back laminate must run straight down the length of the board and be uncut.