cracks in bob lee limbs??

[SERGIO VENNERI]

I've seen this problem on many bows since the 1980's. As I understand it, the problem is caused by the wood core being too dry , under say 8% moisture content. The limb core then absorbs moisture through the bolt or index pin holes , the wood core expands and causes the glass to buckle and and crack. This is most times  cosmetic  and poses no shooting problems ( as guru alluded to), however if it is an expensive Bow i believe the bowyer should replace the limbs , Kudos to Bob Lee for doing the right thing!
     This is probably the best reason for a Bowyer to go to a synthetic core like Syntactic foam!! JMHO.

[Thueb]

I have had several Bob Lee limbs crack like that.  All were black or brown glass Hunter model limbs, two were 64 lbs, and one was 59 lbs.  All were out of warranty, so I just keep shooting the limbs.  When I talked with Rob, he said it shouldn't hurt the limbs so long as the crack does not delaminate or get out past the fadeout wedge.  He also said it was from overtightning the limb bolts, but I know for a fact I did not overtighten one set and it cracked too.

[Robert Honaker]

Seems like alot of this happening? Hmmm

[JINKSTER]

Okay..i read the linked thread and fwiw?..my $.02?...

i don't know if Bob Lee Archery makes 300 bows  year or 3,000 bows a year but i know this...there was less than a handful of complaints in that thread..most of which were settled with a superior level of customer service...(except the fellow who bought a 10 year old model used at a garage sale)...and no bowyer offering TD and single piece bows made of glass laminated wood is going to experience a 0% product failure rate...ain't happening...NONE....of them..no matter how much you pay..cause when it comes to laminating wood?..there are no gaurantees...just experience, knowledge, proven processes and warrantees that apparently the Lee Co. stands firmly behind just so threads like this one never make it to the net..to diminish sales and destroy the fine reputation they've established over many decades of satisfied customers and successful archers.

sorry..but admittedly being a Bob Lee fanboy?..i have the utmost respect for the man and his company..after all..his peers in the industry thought him a lunatic when he announced his intention of designing and manufacturing a 3 piece TD recurve..claiming it just couldn't be done and that it would never work...but he took a risk...applied himself..and made it happen..and wether it be to travel to a world tourney or?..fly to another continent for a hunt..any archer who's ever broke down their 3 piece bow of any configuration and stuffed it into a nice neat little package for national or international travel?..has Mr. Lee to thank for it.

are his bows the least expensive?...no...but it's also been my experience that they can and do outperform other makes that cost signifigantly more..with an emphasis on smoothness, durability and shootability..my Hunter model TD cost me $425 new nearly 2 decades ago...it originally came with 62"/54# limbs..i then bought 64"/46# Signiture limbs (used) and ultimately swapped those out for the current 62"/42# Classic limbs it dons today and have have zero limb issues with any of them..it sports a 19" riser made of resin impregnated Ash..i've even removed signifigant amounts of matrerial from the grip/throat area to custom shape it to my hand and refinished it myself..and to this day?..it shoots like a charm..and there ain't another bow made of simular specs i would trade it for at any price.

the custom shaped grip..

 

the bow...

 

again...sorry..but to me?..as far as archery goes?..Bob Lee defines the term "Living Legend".

Thanks for reading my rant...felt like i owed him that..and L8R, Bill.

[Blackhawk]

Jinkster,

I appreciate your tribute to Mr. Lee and his bows.  He is a trad archery legend who takes a lot of pride in his work, offering us outstanding customer service.  

I recall the "cracking" problems getting wide publicity a few years ago, but have heard nothing but accolades regarding Lee bows lately.

Outstanding bows from a legend!

[chanumpa]

Glad to here Bob Lee is going to fix her for you.Ive got an older 57#@28" Bob Lee "Thunderbolt" I could hook you up with for cheap Clint.It is a sweet shooter,just not the most attractive as my snake job on it didnt turn out so great.Have no idea what she`d cost to send down under.Give me a shout,maybe we can work something out.Gday.

[Blackhawk]

chanumpa, this thread began by "Clint" 4 years ago.  However, an update on the situation would be welcome if Clint is still around.  

[JINKSTER]

Originally posted by Blackhawk:
Jinkster,

I appreciate your tribute to Mr. Lee and his bows.  He is a trad archery legend who takes a lot of pride in his work, offering us outstanding customer service.  

I recall the "cracking" problems getting wide publicity a few years ago, but have heard nothing but accolades regarding Lee bows lately.

Outstanding bows from a legend!

Sorry...my bad..but someone else recently revived a thread which posted a link to this thread over on AT...where several folks gave thanks to that poster proclaiming stuff like"good to know" and "thanks i'll never buy a BL bow now"...so i responded accordingly with exactly what i copied and pasted above..sorry that in doing so i inadvertantly revived and older thread here..but it was being used in a very negitive fashion elsewheres and i didn't feel the Lee's deserved the recently revived bad press..and wanted the www to know. LOL!

[Blackhawk]

Jinkster, I don't think you were "bad".

It never hurts to remind folks about Mr. Lee, his great products, and even better customer service.

[ozy clint]

yep this is an old thread.
the limbs were replaced and i'm still shooting the replacement limbs.