It's HOT. .be careful with your bows

[wingnut]

I've read a number of threads on various websites about bows coming apart in the heat.  First of all I can't imagine why people want to shoot when the temps are over 100 if they don't have too.  But if you do take some precautions to keep your bow from wilting.

Most bowyers cure their epoxy at between 150 and 180 degrees.  The problem is when the glue reaches that temp again it begins to soften and shortly there after BAM it comes apart and you have some choice words for your bowyer.

I don't mind the abuse . . LOL  But the bow deserves better treatment.

Remember:

• Never leave a strung bow in an enclosed (hot) vehicle.
• Never hang a strung bow over a peg out in the hot sun. Black carbon or black glass limbs soak up heat from the sun and can become twisted or delaminate.

• Never leave a strung bow in the back of your black truck bed in the sun

• If a bow is hot to the touch don't string it and don't shoot it.  Let it cool down to air temp before doing either.

Please feel free to add any other things you can think of.

Mike

[broketooth]

dont leave your bow strung in a hot shop in eastern n.c. your bow will explode. Batman told me that. he lost a rick welch bow in that fashion. i started unstringing my bows during the summer for this reason. rv

[gringol]

Do a lot of guys leave bows strung?  I was taught to always unstring unless you are using it.

[Keefer]

Great thread there Wingnut and I have a shop that is part of my house with a garage in between the two..I don't have any bows strung but on a peg with the miniblinds shut to keep the sun out and on average it's highest temp. is around 85 max cause it has 2x6 insulated walls and high ceiling ..My question is that o.k. to keep Unstrung out there? I also keep a thermometer in there so I do check the temp...I installed an A/C window unit and not on unless I'm out there tinkering...

[wingnut]

Heck Keefer you could keep me out there with the temps we have here this week.  Your bows will be fine.

LOL

Mike

[Keefer]

Mike,
 You are welcome in my shop anytime but be warned our cat pounce's on "insects" everynight!   :rolleyes:

[WRV]

I learned this lesson the hard way 30 some years ago. Lost a nice recurve....

[JamesKerr]

I always unstring my bow and leave it in a cool dark area. I saw a ladies custom bow unlaminate in her car a few years ago because she left it strung.

[WidowEater]

I keep my glass laminated bows strung all the time UNLESS they will be exposed to heat.  I follow all of Wingnuts rules above.

Usually I shoot the bow or take it with me strung and never leave it in the car or sun.  Store it at home on two wooden pegs hanging by the string.  Some say this is bad.  I say it is not.

[Jeff Strubberg]

Heh, mine are sitting cool and dark in the man cave.  Right next to me.

I'm ready for fall!

[ozarkcherrybow1]

Great reminder thread, Mike.  We forget to think of these things sometimes.

[Bow man]

Great tips I hope everyone reads these.  

last Friday when it was 102 here Closed up Garage hit 155 dgrees. A bow cured to 150 can blow at 130 if left strung

[JamesV]

I have warranteed two bows already this year that died a hot death.

[caihlen]

So wait...some a yins leave yer bows strung?

[wingnut]

Yep it's not hard to heat one up even if the abient temp is only 100 or so.  Leave a black bow directly in the sun strung and it won't take long.  

I was at the McAlester shoot a few years ago and it was 103 but a breeze was blowing off the lake and we had shade.  Late in the day I heard a bow blow and turned to look at a well known bowyers booth that was in the sun at the time and he was scrambling to get the delam bow put away.  We talked later and it had to be the heat.

Same shoot a gal had her recurve go during lunch when she put it on the front seat of her truck.  She had a big hunt coming up and came and bought a bow that afternoon.

Mike

[BUCKY]

What if it's 100 degrees and you are in the sun at a shoot? Not that I would be at that shoot but I was just wondering.

[TxAg]

Originally posted by BUCKY:
What if it's 100 degrees and you are in the sun at a shoot? Not that I would be at that shoot but I was just wondering.

I look at it like this.  Treat the bow like you treat your body. Being in the hot sun shooting for a little while won't kill you, but after a while you get hot and need to sit in the shade and cool down for a bit.

[BigArcher]

It doesn't even need to be that hot outside.  If the sun is out in all its glory the vehicles can really hot inside.  Or their metal surfaces.
 I was at a shoot a few years ago and set my bow ( vine maple selfbow) on the top of our car while grabbing the rest of my stuff.  In the short time it took to get everything together the bow had lost 30#s of draw weitght. Took a set big time.  I didn't notice it because it was already strung.  Just found my arrows not reaching the target anymore.
Don't set bows on hot stuff!