limb twist on 62 Kodiak

[wasapt]

I have some limb twist on a 62 Kodiak. It actually shoots OK but the string won't stay in the string groove so i have to reposition it after darn near every shot. Will leaving the bow strung help correct the problem? I can untwist the limb but it goes right back to where is is now. Any suggestions?

[Hud]

The way it was suggested to me is to use a heat gun. I have a 1956 Kodiak, 60" and 54# that arrived with a twist in the upper limb and a double in the lower. Before stringing, sight down the limbs by resting one tip on a table and holding the other. It helps to have good light to determine where the twist is located.

With mine, I used two small glass bubbles set on the riser near the fade out, because this area is probably straight, but hard to see due to the curve in the riser. At this point the bow is resting on two T's on a work bench or table. Blocks of wood under the fadeout once level will help.

Using the heat gun, with a setting around 500 degrees, pass the gun over the area that needs to be twisted, on both sides. Caution, should be used as you could weaken the glue lines with too much heat. You should be okay if you can hold it in your hands. Reverse the twist by bumping the limb.  If you have a heavy weight, it will take considerable pressure to reverse the twist. If you think you have it by sighting or using a level, string the bow, check it and leave it until it cools. It should hold. Remember good and warm not overly hot.

If the twist is in the recurve, you might see it better with the tips up. I used a pencil to mark the several twists and direction. If the twist is in the upper part of the limb, as mine, I had to use considerable torque to get it to move. I hesitate to suggest this, but I used a light towel around the limb, set it on the linoleum floor, but one foot on top of the towel to be able to twist with both hands on the handle. I am sure some might cringe at the thought of this, but extreme twists, sometimes require lots of pressure. Just be sure to hold it flat while twisting.

[Jack Shanks]

I have straightened many by twisting alone with no heat. I only use heat if the reverse twisting by itself doesn't work first. I have used warm tap water to heat the limb but not the heat gun method. Once I get the twist out I will leave it strung hanging by it's string on two pegs for a few days drawing it on occassion making sure it has stayed straight. Sometimes they need a little tweaking along the way.

[wasapt]

Thanks for your input guys!

[d. ward]

I personaly do not use heat guns hair driers or hot water eather because the bows were laminated with heat and heat may delaminate them.You can straighten 99% of bows at room temp by just twisting the twist the oppisite way and it really works best if you have the bow braced being careful to not twist to far and unstring the bow.99% of them are twisted because of the old step thru stringing tought to us in the early days bd

[Archery_Collector]

I 100% agree with BD. Joe St Charles recomends the same method, I outline it here in my FAQ on my site
 http://www.neoreality.com/archery/colfaqi.htm
I have straighten dozens of limbs this way from 40 year old recurves to modern olympic bows. Most stay straight, some do not.

Be careful and always carefully inspect the bow before attempting

[450 marlin]

I just put some Cleaner Car Wax on a wash cloth and rub the area of the limb with the twist back and forth very fast until it heats up, twist it the opposite way and hold it till the limb cools, leave it strung a few days and do some draws with it to check it, repeat if needed.If the twist is not near the tip I do this with the bow strung..Roy

[wasapt]

I twisted the limb counter direction while it was unstrung. Then I strung it, partially drew the bow and watched the string in the groove and confirmed it stayed aligned. I could shoot the bow a couple shots and see the string would not Kay in the limb string groove after each shot. I twist the limb again in the counter direction and let it stay strung overnight. Next day shot it repeatably and for several days it has been fine and after 250 shots, the string has stayed in place. I just wonder if leaving it strung will make it get straighter and stay that way?