Author Topic: cracking sounds when drawing my bow  (Read 10771 times)

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Offline emd023

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cracking sounds when drawing my bow
« on: January 14, 2014, 09:46:27 pm »
my first bow is almost complete. but now that im almost done tillering ive been hearing cracking noises during each draw. is there anything I can do?

Offline Weylin

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Re: cracking sounds when drawing my bow
« Reply #1 on: January 14, 2014, 09:50:22 pm »
Start with not drawing it anymore! Then you need to examine the back carefully for a crack or splinter. Rub a cotton ball up and down the back and even an invisible splinter will snag it. Once you find it culprit then we can give you better advice.

Offline emd023

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Re: cracking sounds when drawing my bow
« Reply #2 on: January 14, 2014, 10:12:22 pm »
didnt find any splinters.

Offline adb

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Re: cracking sounds when drawing my bow
« Reply #3 on: January 14, 2014, 10:43:21 pm »
How about some details on the bow?

Offline emd023

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Re: cracking sounds when drawing my bow
« Reply #4 on: January 14, 2014, 11:03:51 pm »
its a maple backed red oak board ELB. heres a pic from a few weeks ago


Offline osage outlaw

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Re: cracking sounds when drawing my bow
« Reply #5 on: January 14, 2014, 11:09:44 pm »
Cracking noises are never a good thing with wooden bows.
I started out with nothin' and I still got most of it left

Offline longbow steve

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Re: cracking sounds when drawing my bow
« Reply #6 on: January 14, 2014, 11:10:16 pm »
Heavily waxed string in a cold climate can make noises like cracking, string riding up in the nock at full draw. Steve

Offline emd023

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Re: cracking sounds when drawing my bow
« Reply #7 on: January 14, 2014, 11:23:12 pm »
the string isnt waxed. and it sounds like its coming from the bow.

Offline PatM

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Re: cracking sounds when drawing my bow
« Reply #8 on: January 14, 2014, 11:47:20 pm »
What is the glue?

Offline emd023

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Re: cracking sounds when drawing my bow
« Reply #9 on: January 15, 2014, 12:01:37 am »
titebond II

Offline WhitefeatherFout

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Re: cracking sounds when drawing my bow
« Reply #10 on: January 15, 2014, 12:46:03 am »
I would suggest the cottonball trick on the back and belly in both directions.  Rub the heck out of it.  If that doesn't produce the culprit then it may have been the glue joint.  Possibly, but not likely an interior wood fracture.  Do you have more pics you could post at rest, brace, draw or tillering pull?  The more the better.   

Offline juniperwarbow

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Re: cracking sounds when drawing my bow
« Reply #11 on: January 15, 2014, 01:08:42 am »
 I agree with longbow steve.  ;)

Offline PatM

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Re: cracking sounds when drawing my bow
« Reply #12 on: January 15, 2014, 01:29:17 am »
Why if the string isn't waxed?

Offline AH

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Re: cracking sounds when drawing my bow
« Reply #13 on: January 15, 2014, 02:05:00 am »
I'm almost willing to bet its the glue joint on the riser. Always happens to me, no matter what I do, whenever I build a board bow  >:(

mikekeswick

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Re: cracking sounds when drawing my bow
« Reply #14 on: January 15, 2014, 04:34:43 am »
I'm almost willing to bet its the glue joint on the riser. Always happens to me, no matter what I do, whenever I build a board bow  >:(

All you have to do is make either the belly board thicker to start or add a powerlam and handles will never pop off.  :)

So does it happen at the same part of the draw?
Are you certain it isn't the string running incorrectly in the nock?
If it was the glue chances are it would have blown.
Potentially it could a laminar seperation going on somewhere.
But my first question is the important one!
With red oak in a narrow crowned belly it could just be the chrysals appearing!!!! ;) ;) ;)