What could cause....

[Fattony77]

What could be the cause(s) of a dynamic/catastrophic de-lamination of a bottom limb on a take-down bow?

I was on the 5th target of a 30 target tournament when, as I drew my new-to-me take-down recurve, there was a loud SNAP(!) and I was holding the string & arrow in my right hand and they were no longer connected to the bow in my left. When I looked down, I saw that the fiber glass on the belly of the lower limb had separated from the core all the way to the fade-out.

Now, I seriously doubt that it had anything to do with the quality of the workmanship or materials, and the bow was in good shape when I received it from the previous owner. So, I'm wondering if it was something that I did to mess it up, or if it was more likely just "one of those things" that occasionally happens with bows.

Is de-lamination the correct term for what I'm describing (I'll post a pic as soon as I'm home & able to do so)? The previous day I had to leave it in the car (strung) for about an hour, but the windows were all down & the interior temp. couldn't have gotten over 100-105* (though it was probably much lower than that). The next morning I shot about 20 practice shots before heading out on the range & the first 4 targets went without issue.

While my arrows were fairly light, I am positive that they weren't lower than 8 gpp.

So, what do you think? Was it something that I did, or just the luck of the draw? I am refraining from mentioning the bowyer, or previous owner to avoid any undeserved negative thoughts towards them.

Thanks in advance for any input that you may be able to provide.
-Tony

[jt85]

Don't know but glad your alright Tony

[Fattony77]

Thanks, Jason. Yeah, I was really lucky/blessed that it didn't hurt me (or anyone else) at all.

[Orion]

If the sun can get at a strung bow, the heat absorbed through the glass can reach a temperature high enough to damage the bow. Very good chance that leaving it strung in the car, even with the windows open, likely not wide open, damaged the bond, which later gave way.

In hot weather, I never leave a strung bow where the sun can get at it for any length of time, even on the bow range while taking a break from shooting.

A couple of years ago, a friend of mine left his strung bow in his tent at the Compton rendezvous. I believe he had the flap open so the sun could hit it, or maybe it just got very hot inside the tent.  Regardless, he never got a chance to shoot the bow.  The lower limb delaminated inside the tent.

In your case, can't say for sure that's what caused it, but can't say that it didn't, either.  Chalk it up to experience.

[Fattony77]

I should've said that I drive a big SUV and was packed up enough that the bows sat high enough that there was no chance that the sun got directly on the bows. Thanks for the input, though.

[M60gunner]

Not an expert but if the heat in car was the issue I would think it would have let go on the first shot. The heat may have helped what was inevitable anyway.  I would contact the bowyer and ask his opinion. He may be defensive but that is somewhat expected.

[ChuckC]

Pretty much if you leave a strung bow in a hot place or sitting in direct sun you run the risk of causing damage.  Don't do it. Just unstring it.

[old_goat2]

How do you string your bow?

I think it's a case of "IT" happens!!!!

Sorry you lost a bow Tony, but glad you are OK!

Bisch

[The Whittler]

It's like everything that is man made it will eventually break. Its good you or anyone else got hurt.

Look on the bright side (ya I know there is no bright side) you can get a new or newer bow.

[nineworlds9]

I think its because you left it in the vehicle strung.  Windows down or not, a vehicle is not the open air, there isn't near the total volume of air movement vs out in the open, a car is made of metal so it's a big heat sink.  I would never leave a strung bow in any confined space for long.

[nineworlds9]

Either way it sucks!!!  Sorry for your loss.

[monterey]

I leave mine strung in the car quite often without any problems.

I think it was a failure in the glue up.  Put some pics up and it might help the analysis.

[Terry Green]

What really bothers me about just direct sunlight is that I had a bow once delaminated while I was gone into town to buy a license.... I was gone maybe 2 hours and my bow was also leaning against a tent and I found it delaminated.... but I'm not sure what the difference in that would be versus if I'd have been sitting up on a cliff with my bow leaning up against a rock while I was glassing for animals for 2 hours.... what's the difference?

 I mean I don't understand some things but if you can't take your bow out on a sunny day glassing there's an issue I guess.

[Fattony77]

Originally posted by old_goat2:
How do you string your bow?

I only have used a Selway bowstringer with this bow since it is (was) a recurve. All of my longbows I string using my instep and push/pull, but recurves i'm afraid I'll twist the limbs.

[Fattony77]

Terry, that's kind of what I was thinking too. I understand that the air doesn't move as freely in the car (even with the windows down) but I also know that the temp is drastically reduced by opening it up.

I appreciate everyone's input. Truly. I won't contact the bowyer about it for a coupe of reasons. First, I "bought" this bow used and "as-is" condition is expected. I don't want him to think that I believe that he has any responsibility to "fix the problem" or anything like that. Second, I have no intention of insulting (indirectly or otherwise) the man's craftsmanship or materials in any way. I accept that it was either a mistake that I made or "just one of those things" that sometimes happens.

Thanks again, everyone. At least now I know that it was a possibility that it was something that I did, and I will do my very best to make sure that I don't repeat the mistake.

[Fattony77]

Originally posted by M60gunner:
Not an expert but if the heat in car was the issue I would think it would have let go on the first shot. The heat may have helped what was inevitable anyway.

That's what I was thinking, too. But I wasn't sure. That's why I was asking others' opinions. I appreciate yours (especially since it is the same as mine. Lol)

[Bud B.]

Yeah, these fellas roving and stumping in the south and southwest seem to have no issues with heat and sunlight. But, it can't be good for the fiberglass and glue, either. One micro air bubble and a little bit of glue softening and expanded air can force an issue. Even with no micro bubbles some change is likely to take place with the right amount of heat.

I think about it from time to time and try to care for my bows accordingly, but crap happens. Sorry about your bow.

[Terry Green]

Yeah bud I wouldn't think you'd have an issue roving and stumping or even basically still hunting or whatever but my bow might as well been laying up against a Rock in Colorado instead of the tent and it was only like 82 degrees ....very strange

[smokin joe]

I had something like that happen to me but it was the top limb. It cut me above and below my eye, but my eye was not injured. I was darned lucky. I sent the limbs to the maker so he could look them over in case there was a material failure. After looking at them he called me and said that "sometimes things just break" for reasons we cannot see. Being a stand-up bow maker, he made me some new limbs.