PVC bows, read before you condemn.

[LittleBen]

I'm just wondering if anyone has made a PVC bow. Personally I don't care if it shot 500fps, I would never build one. PVC is just not trad.

But I'm dying to know ... Does anyone have a PVC bow and a wood bow that they can chrono side by side? These things are all over utube, and all I can think about is all the potential converts to real trad bows (wood or glass bows) that instead are making these toys.

All opinions appreciated. Sorry to sound so opiniated without any facts.

[Fanto]

It's a fun way to make bows with children. They shoot nice. They are very cheap

[Bowjunkie]

Seems I'm disenchanted enough with plastic bows that I don't have an opinion on them. Sorry.

[Eric Krewson]

Condemn them if you wish, I have a friend who has made hundreds of selfbows. Lately he has been outfitting youngsters who express and interest in shooting a bow with PVC bows. He can make one in a hour or so, cost is minimal. He adds wooden recurves, a coat of brown primer paint to make a bow that looks like wood.

The kids love them, they shoot surprisingly well and he doesn't have to worry about them breaking and injuring a child.

[Trux Turning]

I've made a few of them and keep them light weight to give away to kids. They can take a lot of abuse and shoot like a kids Fiberglas bow and are cheap to make.
 

[LittleBen]

All points taken. I guess like anything else they have their place.

Anyone have info on performance?

[halfseminole]

I made one, and messed up a step, and it simply collapsed the tube, not snapped a limb.  I'm planning to try again, just trying to get the weather and my tools to comply.  As all I have available to me is red oak and PVC, PVC seems the safer to work with.

Besides, many use fiberglass, and fiberglass is so not trad it's ridiculous.  It's the pot calling the kettle black in these forums.

[macbow]

Hey Mr. Ben they do have a place.
This past March our United Bowhunter of Missouri. Made and gave away with shooting lessons 400 PVC bows at the Mid Missouri Classic.
Exit polls rated our booth right up their with the Sasquach jerky booth. A lot of happy kids.

[Dan Bonner]

I think anything that gets kids interested in archery is a good thing. In fact anything that requires them to go outside and doesn't require electricity is a good thing. I think I will figure out how to build them and make a batch for the whole cul-de-sac. That's 13 kids btw. I just have to finish the St Judes bows and 1 more first.

Bonner

[Roy from Pa]

Ben as bad as your wood bows are, maybe ya otta try PVC.. LMAO JK        

I never made one but they would be great for kids.

[alteredbeast]

I have made about 6 pvc bows between 30-60 lbs at 40 lbs they crono at 130-140 fps my 50 lb samick sage is 178 fps same bamboo arrows.... now i'm building wood bow...or trying too...plus with pvc after about 20 yds accuracy goes completely out the window great for kids though

[alteredbeast]

ps DO NOT make 50-60 lb pvc bows the hand shock will give you a headache after about 5 shots...

[LittleBen]

Haha Roy you're killing me! I know I'm not gonna get any respect from you until I get some osage bows made, but thats OK, good motivation.


Chris, thanks for the data thats exactly the thing i was looking for.

I think you guys are all right on, seems like these are great for kids bows. Dan said it best 'anything that doesnt require electricity for kids to do'

[Sam Harper]

I made one with some wooden siyahs.  It was fun, and it only took me about three hours from start to finish.

 

I don't see how we can object to plastic on the basis that it's not "trad" without also condemning fiberglass for the same reason.  But I don't care whether something is "trad" or not.  I care whether it's fun or not.  After all, it's just entertainment.

[canopyboy]

Ben, I think you should try to build one.  I'll give you credit for not building fiberglass bows either though.  However, I'm betting that even if you don't keep it and give it away, you'll learn something in the process.  I think I might give it a try as well.  If for no other reason than some of them don't look like PVC at all.

And the instant gratification aspect is probably what's really getting me...

[alteredbeast]

They are alot of fun to build and shoot at short ranges you can really go wild decorating them i made one look like wood grain with stain and sandpaper then leather wrapped handle wrapped the tips and tied in fake eagle feathers it was sharp...

[bcamp8ell]

I made one that pulled around 65#@28 and it was surely fun to shoot. I'd wager that for the price and the short time to make there is no other material that can beat it! Give it a shot next time the kids or grandkids want to try a bow.

[kmc06005]

I just made one of these for my 3 year old earlier today. He loves it!

[Ifrit617]

I've made them and enjoy shooting them. I don't know how you can call them non-traditional. They can only be made into recurves or longbows that are the two "traditional" bow styles. If you think the material isn't traditional, the modern aluminum, micarta and phenolic risers used on many bows should make many of the traditional bows on the market today non-traditional. IMO any bow crafted into a recurve or longbow, no matter the material and shot without any sights or assistance should be considered trad.

Either way they re fun to shoot and can compete performance wise with most self bows.

Jon

[Dave Bowers]

i see no problem with them. I've only made one, but its perfect for my wife who only shoots now and then.