Ahhh Snap!!

[Ajooter]

I was shooting my Hatfield takedown I just purchased from a fellow archer and the top limb delaminated it appears.  The arrow hit the mark, but i would have rather missed the target and still had my bow. Its a new bow that wasn't shot all that much.  I believe its a 2011.  Im going to try and contact Martin with the serial# and see what they say.

 
 

[Gator1]

Good thing you are ok too bad

[maineac]

Man, Bummer.  I hoe they can help you out.

[Wannabe1]

Glad you weren't hurt but, that is a bummer! Hope they can get you a new limb.

[Cyclic-Rivers]

Sorry about your bow Aaron. Most of us been there, it sucks.  Hope they can do something for you.

[wetfeathers]

I almost cried for you.  It's almost like losing a loved one isn't it?  Glad your okay.  Nice shot though!

[Ajooter]

Yeah nothin happened to me.  She let me know she was gonna blow with a little crack before that last shot but I dismissed it. I will pay more attention in the future.  Hopefully i will have one of the bows I made at the next shoot Charlie.  I broke one of those too though haha.  I really hope I can get another set of limbs for her!

[Sixby]

They should have a taper headed bolt in that. What it looks like they have done is not too wise. You absdolutely should get a new set of limbs. I suggest you use a standard bolt system with a washer on top though.

God bless, Steve

[joe vt]

Sorry to hear your Hatfield delam'ed and very happy to hear you didn't get hurt. I bet Martin will take care of you.

I had two different year Hatfields some 10 years ago. One had a large set of knurled bolts to disassemble without tools; and other had taper headed bolts.

I have never seen that type limb bolt used on a Hatfield. Did you replace the originals?

[LookMomNoSights]

I believe there IS a bolt with a tapered head....I think it is the limb bolt bezel (an oddly small one) we are seeing, that gives the appearance of there not being a tapered bolt used.  Looks like the lam pulled right over/through the bolt And bezel?!
Sorry about the bow....glad you are ok.

[Sixby]

Looking at the unbroken limb and that bolt is recessed down into the laminations. In other words even if there is taper bold below that there is nothing to hold the upper half of the limb down . It is obviously a very poor connection method and if it is what it looks like I guarantee you that there will be many failures. The way that is being done makes the top overlays useless.

Its obvious by looking at the broken limb where the bolt is seated , It held together there.

God bless, Steve

[rick7]

i feel and gave feel your pain  i had a bow break while shooting it. it made me sick

[CKeth]

That seems like a very poor design for a bolt connection.

[hedgerowhuntr]

UPDATE...

So Aaron called Martin to see what could be done about the limb, unfortunately the gentleman on the line was quite short with him, telling him there are no surplus limbs, the forms are gone, and there's nothing that they could do for him.

There were no alterations done to this bow everything on this bow was 100% stock Martin. The limb bolt being recessed down in is Martin's design and ultimately the flaw in this bow. The good thing out of all of this was Aaron was not hurt, I was standing about 10' behind him and had a front row seat for him filling his shorts!

Does anyone know or are there any bowyers out there that make limbs that would fit or could fit on a Hatfield riser?

[Mudd]

Glad you're ok!

Unless the gentleman you spoke with was the president or XO of Martin I'd be getting a second opinion. (This squeaky wheel would get some grease)

Good luck on getting your bow back up and running.

God bless,Mudd

[kat]

I am real sorry to see what happened to your Hatfield.
 The limb bolt design is not new. I have seen that same limb bolt system many times over the years.  I owned one and shot it steadily for years.
 Poor design, maybe. I am not looking to start a debate. They sure sold a lot of them, and sometimes @#$% happens. I agree, I would stay after them.
 From time to time; Hatfield limbs do come up in the classifieds as a last resort.
 See you at the next meeting, and bows can be replaced. Glad you weren't hurt.