Adjusting/measuring tiller

[Belle Island]

I've heard mention from time to time a method of measuring your tiller by using dental floss. Has anyone else every tried this and if so, how do you do it. I was told it was more accurate than just taking a tape measure from limb to string. Any help would be appreciated.

[Arthur P]

If it's a single cam bow, stretching a string across the axles is the only way to do it right. On dual cams, you can measure directly to the string, since the cams are symmetrical.

I always start out at zero tiller, but some bows need fine tuning. I draw the bow, straight back, very slowly. I watch the upper limb tip and pay attention to how the grip feels in my hand. If it tries to ride up, or if it puts a lot of pressure in the web of my hand. I add weight to the bottom limb or take it off the top. If it tries to pull down, or puts a lot of pressure in the heel of my hand, I do the opposite. I want the bow to ride level in my hand all the way thru the draw.

My theory is, if the bow isn't drawing the same on both limbs and is putting uneven pressure on my hand during the draw, it will do the same during the shot and give me some vertical stringing in my groups.

[nubo]

Thank's for the info Arthur I'll keep this in mind.What your saying is that measurement means nothing or isn't alway's accurate,is this correct?

nubo
I use my ruler for measuring my tiller

[Arthur P]

The measurement does mean something, but I consider it a starting point. Most bows shoot great set on even tiller. Some bows have limbs that aren't perfectly matched and they need a little tweak.

[Arrroman]

Like Arthur P says most bows shoot great set on even tiller. After thirty years of building and rebuilding bows I don't even bother to measure with a ruler or my fingernail and an arrow anymore. I simply tighten both the limb bolts gently to their bottom, then turn them both out an even three turns each. This allows room for both fine tuning the tiller to get the bow to shoot a level arrow and for raising the draw weight of the bow. The arrows can be nocked at the 90degree position on the bowstring and the tiller of the bow adjusted to correct a nockhigh or nocklow arrow. A nockhigh arrow would require the lower limb bolt to be tightened to acheive a level arrow in the target. A nocklow arrow would require the upper limb bolt to be tightened to achieve a level arrow in the target. The nocking point can be left at the 90degree position which helps to eliminate nockpinch when shooting the bow, and all of the adjustments can be made with a wrench without damaging the serving on the string. It seems a much easier and cleaner way to tune a bow if you ask me. I've been reading the Easton Tuning Guide for over thirty years and they don't mention this as an option but it does work quite well on bows with limb bolts. Good luck hunting!