Trad Gang

Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: doubletaptd on June 10, 2009, 11:09:00 PM

Title: stress lines
Post by: doubletaptd on June 10, 2009, 11:09:00 PM

Okay guys I'm new here and was wondering how to tell if a bow is safe to shoot with stress lines running vertically on my recently purchased used bow?

Title: Re: stress lines
Post by: 30coupe on June 10, 2009, 11:38:00 PM

Post some pictures if you can, but generally speaking, stress lines are nothing to worry about. Just about all glass bows get them after a while. As long as they are running the length of the bow, it shouldn't be a problem.

Russ

Title: Re: stress lines
Post by: doubletaptd on June 11, 2009, 12:34:00 AM

they are from the top tip all the way down to the arrow shelf.

Title: Re: stress lines
Post by: 30coupe on June 11, 2009, 12:44:00 AM

If you post some pictures, it would make it a lot easier to tell you. Do you have a bunch of lines or do you have lines that run from nock to shelf unbroken? That could mean a more serious condition, but again, without being able to see the bow, it's really hard to say.

Title: Re: stress lines
Post by: doubletaptd on June 11, 2009, 06:04:00 PM

I just received a string also and it wants to roll and twist out of the channel when I draw and slowly release. Almost comes right off the bow.

Trying to add pix, but it won't let me

Title: Re: stress lines
Post by: doubletaptd on June 11, 2009, 06:27:00 PM

(http://i596.photobucket.com/albums/tt49/vaughtdave/DSC01264.jpg)


maybe 3 more than pictured.

Title: Re: stress lines
Post by: doubletaptd on June 11, 2009, 06:36:00 PM

(http://i596.photobucket.com/albums/tt49/vaughtdave/DSC01258.jpg)

Title: Re: stress lines
Post by: 30coupe on June 11, 2009, 06:54:00 PM

Sounds like you have a twisted limb as well. The stress lines are not unusual. Unless you can feel them at the riser (drag a thumbnail over it) and it starts to raise up. I'd shoot it. The twist can be fixed as well. I usually just hold near the tip and twist until you feel resistance, then kind of bump/snap it a little further. It is kind of a feel thing. bump it, then check. You can probably see the twist if you set the bow down on a flat surface and sight across the tips. If one or both kind of angle, you need to bump them the opposite way.

Now that you have the picture thing figured out. Let's see some from a little farther away. Take the whole bow from several angles. It's not without some issues, but you can probably make it into a shooter at least. I don't see anything at this point that would keep me from shooting it.

Title: Re: stress lines
Post by: doubletaptd on June 11, 2009, 07:05:00 PM

(http://i596.photobucket.com/albums/tt49/vaughtdave/DSC01268-1.jpg)


And after I draw and release

Title: Re: stress lines
Post by: 30coupe on June 11, 2009, 08:51:00 PM

Yup. Okay. Unstring, grab the tip in your right hand and the riser in the left and give the tip a sharp twist clockwise. You will feel the resistance the farther you twist. Don't get real carried away, just bump it against that resistance. Restring and test it just the way you did here. Repeat until the string lays right in the groove. After you shoot it a bit, you may have to tweak it again. Once the string is lying in the groove, leave the bow strung and hang it horizontally by the string (two pegs). Always hang it that way. Most of the old bows that have twist got that way from being stood in a corner somewhere and forgotten.

It won't hurt a thing to leave it strung as long as you hang it as I described.

Good luck with it. Looks like a nice old bow with lots of shots left in it.

BTW: Your string looks awfully heavy to me. What draw weight is the bow?

Title: Re: stress lines
Post by: doubletaptd on June 11, 2009, 09:22:00 PM

Russ, you are my hero even if this doesn't fix it.

I see you help out quite a few people on tradgang.

Title: Re: stress lines
Post by: doubletaptd on June 12, 2009, 01:30:00 PM

40# draw @28" , I ordered this string form another trandgang member. What brace height do you thing is correct for this Ben Pearson 58" hunter. Bow looks awesome with zebra wood but I can't handle the poor description I received before the purchase on e-bay.

Title: Re: stress lines
Post by: 30coupe on June 12, 2009, 02:13:00 PM

I pretty much gave up on the auction thing. I've had good luck with folks here.

For a recurve like yours, I'd probably start at 8" and adjust up/down until you find the sweet spot. There will be a place where the bow is quietest and shoots the best, not always the same spot, so some compromise may be needed.

I am a teacher by trade, so I just can't resist a "teachable moment" I guess. I am far from an expert, but I figure if I have knowledge and fail to share it, it's pretty worthless.

How about a post of the riser? I love zebrawood! Now you just need some 1916s or woodies and you are good to go! If you want to use carbons, I'd start with a .600 spine full length and enough weight up front to give you around 400 or so grains of total arrow weight. Then you can trim if you need to in order to get them shooting well.

Good luck with your bow. Pearsons are good old bows!

Title: Re: stress lines
Post by: doubletaptd on June 12, 2009, 02:22:00 PM

thanks again for your help. I am trying to get to the range today if my arrows ever show up in the mail.

Title: Re: stress lines
Post by: doubletaptd on June 12, 2009, 08:25:00 PM

1st release the string came off the bow.
Do you think something could be wrong with the string?

Title: Re: stress lines
Post by: 30coupe on June 12, 2009, 09:09:00 PM

I doubt that. Is the string staying in the groove when you draw and let down easy? If so, it could be that the laminations are loose and that is a crack rather than a stress line. If one side is loose and the other not, it will flip the string off like that...not good      

It might be repairable, but I don't know what the cost would be. Your best bet at this point might be Bowdoc. Shoot him an email at [email protected] and see what he says.

I wouldn't shoot it again until I talked to him. He can tell you if it is repairable and what it might cost.

Sorry...   :(

Title: Re: stress lines
Post by: doubletaptd on June 12, 2009, 11:25:00 PM

The string sometimes stays in the groove, but I can see that the bow is torqued to the left when strung.

Title: Re: stress lines
Post by: 30coupe on June 12, 2009, 11:31:00 PM

Try bumping it to the right again. Pay attention to that crack. Does it open up when you twist the limb? That would not be a good sign.

Title: Re: stress lines
Post by: doubletaptd on June 13, 2009, 01:18:00 AM

I don't think it does, When I draw and pay attention to where I release the string I can make it go back in the channel, but if I let go(not dry fire) the string will end up all the way left on the top limb.
I sent the e-mail to bowdocs I will see what he says. I am very dissapointed at this point.

Title: Re: stress lines
Post by: Kip on June 13, 2009, 07:14:00 AM

FYI bowdoc is in Quebec on a bear hunt for two weeks.Kip

Title: Re: stress lines
Post by: 30coupe on June 13, 2009, 08:50:00 AM

Thanks Kip.

Title: Re: stress lines
Post by: bushytail on June 13, 2009, 08:29:00 PM

I used the hair dryer method on a old Bear Kodiak Mag one time.Heat it up till it`s real warm at the twist area.Not so hot that you can`t touch it though.Twist it back a little past center and hold till it cools.Then slowly let it back.May have to repeat it a couple of times till it lines up straight.I had to do it two times for my bow.Shot 100`s of arrows out of it after the repair and it stayed put.But that line looks like a crack to me.If you want,you could mark each end of the crack and shoot it.If the crack grows,do what 30coupe said,take it to the bow doctor.

Title: Re: stress lines
Post by: Ssamac on June 14, 2009, 01:47:00 AM

Send pics of the tips. The twist may have caused the tips to get cut out bad and not hold the string right too

sam

Title: Re: stress lines
Post by: doubletaptd on June 15, 2009, 12:12:00 AM

I shot the bow today and when I torque the bow the opposite direction on the draw and release, everything works okay. strange? It is a sweet shooting bow and I wish I knew for sure if it was safe to shoot.  I have it hung up on some pegs by the string right now in hopes it straightens out the limbs.

Title: Re: stress lines
Post by: doubletaptd on June 17, 2009, 11:47:00 PM

What brace height should I start with anyways?
Do I measure from the back of the shelf to string?

Title: Re: stress lines
Post by: 30coupe on June 17, 2009, 11:59:00 PM

Measure from the deepest part of the grip to the string. Sometimes those old recurves like a lot of brace height. I'd probably start at 8". You will probably have to go up a bit from there to get it quiet.

I can't visualize what you are doing, but if it works, go with it.

Title: Re: stress lines
Post by: doubletaptd on June 18, 2009, 06:46:00 PM

I am pullimg/ drawing the string back and away from my anchor point, adjusting my head and turning the bow to the right.
probably still doesn't make any sense but it does keep the string on the bow.