Tillering A Laminated Longbow

Time to tiller the bow.

Tillering a laminated longbow.

Tillering is the adjustment of tiller by removing material from a bow limb or limbs. The grain of the back laminate must run straight down the length of the board and be uncut. Successfully tillering a bow takes time and is difficult to teach even in person so there is only so much that you can learn from reading without just going and doing it. 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.

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. Never pull the bow past your desired weight. The belly of the bow is the part that faces the shooter the back is away from the shooter. That said be prepared to break a few bows.

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. Perfect tiller hinged tiller flat spot. 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.

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. Cut the laminates using a circular saw or a band saw. I tiller my bows even for a 3 under shooter. Tillering stick every bowyer needs a tillering stick.

A laminated bow offers more options as far as wood combinations and design goes. Our tillering stick is made from solid wood and is notched every two inches from 4 to 28. He makes very high performing laminated bows. The design includes a flat base which makes it easier to use.