Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Tower on October 05, 2011, 12:30:04 am
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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!
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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
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Thanks! I was surprised at how well she shoots. To tell the truth I half expected her to break when I started shooting it.
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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
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Anything under 2" is fine and to be expected.
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Enjoy your bow. Set happens. :) Jawge
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I want to thank everyone for their advice! I thought I had a real problem.
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Set (some) makes for a pleasantly shooting bow, in most cases.be proud( YOU MADE IT!!!)and not everyone can say that ;)
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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.
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I agree with the rest, shoot it,sometimes they are even smoother to shoot with a little set. :)
Pappy
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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.
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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
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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
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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
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As has been mentioned,some actually preferr a bit of follow in their bows.
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You cant remove set, its compressed wood. You can steam/heat other areas and try to set the handle back or relfex the limbs some, but the set damage is there to stay. Its not a big deal unless you can brace/unbrace your bow without bending it, I have seen a few bows not far from that! Enjoy your bow.
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I don't know about Texas, but that's the "nature of the beast" using hickory in Florida. That's why I use it for cooking ::). With the humidity hunting in the swamps down here, I've watched a 40# bow lose all of it's cast. Keep it in an airconditioned room till you are ready to shoot it, don't worry about the set and have fun
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That's what I love about this forum. Always great advice,& people! Thanks for the help!
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I have an osage stave that I turned into a bow. I steamed the stave three times. One limb stands relatively straight, the other has 1-1/2 inches of set. Tried dry heat also. Every time I "fixed" it, it held for a few days then went right back. the stave was cut 15 years ago, quarter split, debarked and sealed on the back and ends. It just wasn't meant to be with that stave. By the way it shoots like a dream. My niece is gonna love it.
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Don't sweat a little bit of set! ;)
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i dont think i would steam straighten a bamboo backed hickory unless you wanna reglue it
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i dont think i would steam straighten a bamboo backed hickory unless you wanna reglue it
he could re glue with some glued and steamed in reflex
noel
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Ken and fish; you can use Urac and not worry about it,,, too much, if you don't get carried away.
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Leave it and enjoy it! 8)
Josh
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If it were me I would leave it as is and enjoy it as my first bow. The sentimental value and original condition will be more valuable to you in years to come than removing any set. Not to mention the benefit gained is not really worth the risk taken.
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amen to what nyarrow said.
eddie ive never used anything but titebond ,it steams apart real easy. i guess i should broaden my horizons and try some different stuff. maybe on the next hundred , im runnin outta folks to give em to though
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amen to what nyarrow said.
eddie ive never used anything but titebond ,it steams apart real easy. i guess i should broaden my horizons and try some different stuff. maybe on the next hundred , im runnin outta folks to give em to though
ill take them ;D
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I wnnt to thank everyone for the advice. I guess a little set is to be expected at times.
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"She shoots better than my Bear Montana .".....You made an excellent bow. Enough said. ;).
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Set is crushed wood cells once it's there it's there. All wood bows take some set. My bows uselly stays under and inch. But wood is wood and untill you tiller it you don't know. Set robs cast and speed but as long as it's not over 2 inchs there uselly fine. Over 2 and you can and feel and see the sluggishest. But that dos'nt stop it from being a nice bow. Just not as good as it could be.
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the osage bow I am working on right now has over an inch of set. I usually heat treat the limbs into reflex right after getting it to first brace but didn't on this one. I am giving it to my boss and every bow I make for someone else I leave a little string follow. It makes it easier to string and I feel it makes a more stable bow in the hands of a newbie. The bow is 55# @ 28" and shoots a 500 grain arrow 168.5 fps according to my chrony. Plenty of power to hunt with I think. Like others have said don't sweat the set, LOL. :)