Stupid questions about limb tips

[pdk25]

I have a couple of older bows that I would like to try fast flight string with padded loops on.  I know some people are against that, but I'd just like to try it.

Sorry for my ignorance, but what exactly about the fast flight strings is dangerous for the tips?  Is it because they are skinnier and gouge into the tips until they fail or is it the lack of stretch putting increased stress on the tips?  Would putting a layer of phenolic or some other material help this?  How would you go about doing that?

Thanks.

[Ricker]

In my opinion it is like the ride in an F-350(fast flight) vs. a Lincoln(B-50).  The tips get "banged every time you shoot.  Less bang with heavier arrows, just like a better ride in the 350 with a load.
Padding is the answer for you but if you build up the tips with phenolic/micarta  that is best....but still pad them a bit.
If the bows are really old I would just skip the FF thing all together.....
Remember, the building up of the tips adds weight and the gains in speed will be small if any.

[Jeremy]

It doesn't take much material to build up the tips, and the shape of the string grooves is really what's important.  It should be a tear shape with no sharp corners, ridges or bends - and that includes how it comes off the tips!  This is the most overlooked area for bowyers, professional and hobby.

I've gained 8-10fps on every bow I've switched over to low-stretch strings.  That's a huge gain - like shooting a bow that's 8-10# heavier.

[SteveD]

Hey Pat, How are you. Sure you can add tips for fast flight. I usually use Linen Phenolic material. I glue them on with a Gel Super glue never had one come off.

[pdk25]

Not too bad, Steve.  How about your?  Thanks for the input, everyone.  Steve, where did you get the linen phenolic material?

[SteveD]

Hey Pat, 3 rivers has some. Also Bingham has phenolic in more colors

[Jeremy]

I have a 12x12" square of black linen micarta I bought for overlays.  If you'd like some of it PM me your address and I'll send some out.

[pdk25]

Thanks, guys.

[Jesse Peltan]

3 rivers sells phenolic for $5. You only need 1 sheet. The important thing is to get the string groves round. Once you build up the tips you can reduce weight by shaping them properly. Built up tips can be thinner in width but thicker in depth so they are stronger but lighter. Get some 8125 material. 6 strand is good up to a 73# bow and you can pad to 12 or 14.

[Shane Reed]

Can someone give me a detailed run down on how this stuff is put on? Looking to repair some broken limb tips, and think Micarta may work. Thanks

[fujimo]

what do you pad with, jesse- must you use the same material, or can i use the old b50 that i have.

by the way, nothing stupid with the question  

[heartlandbowyer]

I use B-50 for padding my loops on my D10 skinny string usually do a 8 or 10 strand and pad to 16.

Also I use phenolic for overlays and I wouldnt try fast flight or any other low strech string on an bow without tip overlays. Tips take alot of abuse with low stretch string. Instead of the string (B50) absorbing some of the energy the unused enegy goes right to the tips.

Cory

[heartlandbowyer]

Oh yeah 1/8 of phenolic should suffice, then maybe some matching hardwood over that to cut the top of the grove into. Also if you get to much material out there you will induce vibration into the bow and vibration is wasted energy so you wont gain anything with the skinny or low stretch string.

Sand or file off old tips, make sure you sand it even no highs or lows. Hand scuff both surfaces with some 50 grit then clean with denatured alcohol and glue up. I use gel CA and havent had any problems.

 
Cory

[Bodork]

I saw a picture once of what a fast flight string did to a bow that didn't have reinforced tips. It didn't 'snap' the end of the bow off at the string groove like I had imagined it would. It literally sheared the limb in half length wise!

[fujimo]

Would horn overlays work well enough, or would the phenolic be the only way. I have a bow with horn tip overlays.

[heartlandbowyer]

I've never used horn but I haven't seen much horn work without phenolic under it. Maybe some of the other guys have worked with horn a bit more and could give you a better clue in on it.

[LittleBen]

I'd be pretty comfortable with horn. Most of my wood bows have horn and all have 8125 strings. My take on it is that phenolic is better than wood because it isn't weak along a grain like wood. Horn isn't write as isometric as phenolic but more uniform in strength in all directions than wood.

[fujimo]

thanks!