Limb set

[Tower]

This last July I built my first bow. Its a bamboo backed Hickory longbow 68" . I named it the "Witcher" she's 40 lbs at 28". She shoots better than my Bear Montana . Unfortunately she has a 1" & a 3/4" set in her limbs.she has a nice profile when strung & pulled back. I ask all the Boyer's out there if there is a way to keep the set from happening? Maybe its that she is only 1.25" wide at the grip. I found a horse apple tree this weekend while hunting ,& I plan on harvesting it for my next bow. Don't want to mess this one up! HELP PLEASE!

[fishfinder401]

for a first bow, 1-3/4 isn't that bad, some of my bows still have that much, if it works, don't worry, you are your own worst critic
noel

[Tower]

Thanks! I was surprised at how well she shoots. To tell the truth I half expected her to break when I started shooting it.

[half eye]

Tower,
      I know it aint popular, but personally I dont get very excited about set in a bow......with the follwing provisios. It's not a "creeping" problem (continues to get worse), the bow has good string tension at a proper brace height, and that the bow has symetry at brace and full draw.
      I have a bow that a friend on this site gave to me because he was all bummed out about the fact that it had some set.....well that bows bow shoots exceptionally well, it's well mannered, and very reliable.
       I think ya ought to shoot the snot out that baby, and enjoy it. If the set bothers anybody, guess they dont have to look,eh?
rich

[toomanyknots]

Anything under 2" is fine and to be expected.

[George Tsoukalas]

Enjoy your bow. Set happens. Jawge

[Tower]

I want to thank everyone for their advice! I thought I had a real problem.

[soy]

Set (some) makes for a pleasantly shooting bow, in most cases.be proud( YOU MADE IT!!!)and not everyone can say that

[Jimbob]

How about a pic of the bow?  I have been toying with the idea of building a bow but it seems like a serious undertaking and I need to aquire some tools first.

[Pappy]

I agree with the rest, shoot it,sometimes they are even smoother to shoot with a little set.
   Pappy

[blackhawk]

This will also help put things into perspective.

I just got done running a contest if you had not noticed with red oak board bows. And the winning bow was the bow that had the most string follow(more than yours)   and it was the fastest, best built,smoothest,accurate,and forgiving bow of the bunch. I learned a thing or two that day. String follow isn't bad if its not excessive over 3" 

So what's most important is how well you can place an arrow with the bow. Because that deer is not gonna care what your bows unbraced profile is.

[Kpete]

Sounds like you have done well-you have a bow that gives you a thrill when you shoot it.  It exceeds the commercial built bow-that is exciting.  I actually think a bow with a little sting follow looks cool unstrung.
Good Job

[ken75]

the easiest way to build a no set bow is to overbuild it , but then a bow designed more efficient with "some" set is just that , faster, flatter shooting ,and easy to handle. as long as the set doesn't come from weak spots in your limb design i would not stress less than two inches . just know that you have achieved a low mass design that is efficient. and last but not least have fun with them and dont stress the small stuff

[AncientArcher76]

Tower get out of here what are you doing building bows?  If i could see what you mean I could help a little more,  if the bow has a lot of set and you are concerned, you could take out some of the set by steaming the limbs and straightening out the bow.  I have that problem which isnt really a problem with a few of my hickory bows, I just leave it as it is, it shoot good and has a smooth draw.

Russ

[Traxx]

As has been mentioned,some actually preferr a bit of follow in their bows.