limb twist

[Stone Knife]

My friend bought a Bear black bear at a garage sale it has a pretty good twist in the limb, I have to get a string for him to see it for myself. I guess should I use heat or not? He wants to get into trad again.

[Orion]

Try overbending in the opposite direction a few times.  I prefer to do it with the bow unstrung.  If that doesn't work, can always heat it up a little with a hair dryer and go through the same process.  Good luck.

[akbowbender]

If you have access to the Oct/Nov '09 issue of TBM,  there is a how-to for un-twisting limbs. There might also be some help in the how-to forum.

[Shawn Leonard]

Do it with the bow strung and make sure you hold the string in place. Heat isn't necessary. Do it a few times and let sit. It may take a few times over a few days but it should come out. Shawn

[Stone Knife]

Thanks Bro  

[YORNOC]

As said above..heat most often not needed. Just keep at it.

[Danny Rowan]

Also, if you apply too much heat the limb will delam, trust me just do as stated above and you should be able to work it all out.

[snag]

I had a Red Wing Hunter with a persistent twist in one tip. I put it in hot tap water for 1/2 hr. Then put it in a vice and hung a 5lb weight off it so it twisted it the opposite way slightly. Left it there to cool for an hour. Came out of the vice corrected. Strung it up and left it overnight. Next day it shot well and has maintained it's form nicely.

[ron w]

I have used very hot water and a wash cloth. Soak the cloth and use it to warm the limb, counter twist and let cool. repeat as needed. When you think you have it out, string the bow and put it in direct sun for a half an hour. Then bring it inside and let it cool. It's worked for me more than once!! Good Luck!

[southpawshooter]

Depends on how bad the twist is.  Most times you can straighten it out by twisting in the opposite direction without heat.  It might take several sessions.  If that doesn't work run it under hot water in the bathtub, same temperature as you use in the shower.  If its too hot to the touch you are applying too much heat.  Twist in opposite direction.  Hold twisted until cool.  Hot air may be too hot and delam the bow.

[Sharpster]

Originally posted by Shawn Leonard:
Do it with the bow strung and make sure you hold the string in place. Heat isn't necessary. Do it a few times and let sit. It may take a few times over a few days but it should come out. Shawn

Listen to Shawn    
I asked the same question a few years back and Shawn gave me the same advice. No heat required just overtwist in the opposite direction with the bow strung. I did as Shawn suggested with an old Super-K and to this day, it's straight as can be. Thank you again Shawn!

Ron

[ckanous]

I have an old Ben Pearson I have tried to get a twist out of but it is pretty stubborn. I assume some of you have had bad limbs that just won't cooperate and twist back or should I just keep trying. Gonna go dig it out and play with it again today, I love projects!

[Shawn Leonard]

I have been told by several well respected bowyers that fiberglass has a memory and if you use too much heat it will loose this memory. Keep at it and if ya can't get it straight bring it bunny huntin this year and I will give it a go!! Shawn

[Shawn Leonard]

I also do not suggest direct sun anytime. I once saw a bow laying on a picnic table in direct sun on a day when it was only 75 degrees. It was there only 15 to 20 minutes tops and it exploded. Delaminated in what looked like 2 spots. Shawn

[ron w]

What about a field archer on a hot sunny day shooting for hours....I don't think they have to many problems. If the bow you saw exploded ,there was probably something wrong to start with! A half hour in the sun should not hurt any bow!

[Shawn Leonard]

Ron,depends on the angle and such. Try laying your bow on the hood of your car or on a picnic table on a sunny day strung, see what happens. May be fine, may explode. This bow was fine and had been shot quite a bit that day. The field archer is carrying the bow around and it is not being heated from both sides. Do as ya like but not me!!! I also saw one that was left in a car on the back seat for less than an hour and it too delaminated. Shawn

[frank bullitt]

I agree, stay away from heat, wet or dry, to correct the twist!

Remember, it didn't get in this position, overnight!

We live in the, "hurry up" world, "fix it now"!

Do as suggested, overtwist, exercise the limb, a little at a time.

I used the hot water/ cold rinse, tech. in the '80s from an article in Bowhunter mag. on a Grizzly. Worked for a time, but had to watch the limb after shooting!

Also, just having the bow strung and looking straight won't tell all! Not till ya shoot it, and stress it, will it show it's true form!

Hope ya have a shooter, Stoneknife.