School me on ILF bows please

[TaterHill Archer]

I got my first metal risered ILF bow, but other than it being able to accept ILF limbs for any ILF maker, what else do I need to know?

I put my limbs on and tightened the bolts, but the limb bolts don't tighten all the way.  I presume it's supposed to be that way.

[katman]

Check out the Pete Wards site for ILF tips.

What riser and riser length, draw length, limb length do you have?

[TaterHill Archer]

VPA Vapor riser.  Got it with some Zipper limbs from Big Jim.  It's nice, but not sure of limb length or even string length.  I'll look at that website.

[drewsbow]

How are you Gery ? I got a vpa riser witch is 13 inches and I got some vpa longbow limbs from BigJim , this makes a 58 inch bow . Still need to tune her up some. Drew

[katman]

You can measure the string and add 3" to get amo length. Vapor riser is 13" according to Jim's site so shorts=54" bow amo, mediums 56" and longs 58".
 
What is your draw length? Matching draw length to limb length and preload(amount limb bolts are wound in) is important to get good performance, shootability and limbs that won't blow up being to stressed.

[nineworlds9]

Tater-  ILF allows you to use the limb bolts to custom set the sweet spot for your draw length, first and foremost.  Secondary it allows around a 10% adjustment in draw weight.  Bolts max in- highest DW, bolts max out- lowest DW.  Also you can adjust the tiller to suit your shooting style, be it 3under or split.  Heck some guys like myself shoot split great with a 3under 'zero' tiller.  ILF doesn't have to be fiddly.  The basics are easy and once you know how to tune it it becomes second nature.  It's all about setting up the bow custom for you.  Pete Ward's site is excellent.  T***Talk.com is also the haven for ILF on the net.  Have fun!

[katman]

You can measure the string and add 3" to get amo length. Vapor riser is 13" according to Jim's site so shorts=54" bow amo, mediums 56" and longs 58".
 
What is your draw length? Matching draw length to limb length and preload(amount limb bolts are wound in) is important to get good performance, shootability and limbs that won't blow up being to stressed. To many get to short of a limb then wind the limb bolts all the way in but bow becomes much less stable/shootable and they think ILF is junk.

Read Pete Ward's ILF guide on his site, scroll down the panel on the left side, should help you get started,  http://www.peteward.com/

[drewsbow]

how about a link to Pete Wards site

Originally posted by nineworlds9:
Heck some guys like myself shoot split great with a 3under 'zero' tiller.

I do not know squat about ILF bows but I thought I was the only knucklehead out here who shoots split with a zero tiller!

Bisch

[katman]

Hey Andrew, doing well and happy holidays.
So you finally tried a three piece eh? Once you get her dialed in you will love it as much as you did mine.

Link above.

Good advice from nineworlds, only thing I will add is you need correct limb length to start. Since I shoot 3 under I just set tiller to zero and adjust nock point during tuning arrow.

[drewsbow]

Thanks Gery , Happy holidays to you and yours

[TaterHill Archer]

Wow!  Thanks for all the good advice.  I draw 28.5" +or- 0.5". I have the limb bolts tightened all the way down.  My limbs say Zipper ILF classic hunter medium.  So that should make it about a 56" bow.  I will say the limbs sure feel smooth.  Now I just need to head to the range with it.  I need a good string too.

[Bowwild]

The manual on my TT Titan says not to tighten all the way down. Once tight then back off at least a 1/4 turn.

Be careful about different limb and riser combos. Not every limb brand will fit every riser. I tried a terrific Morrison riser that I wanted to buy but it wouldn't accept my BF Extremes by Win.

[drewsbow]

so how many turns out can you go on average ?

[moebow]

Yes!!  As mentioned, the bolts DO NOT "tighten" the limbs down.  When the limbs are mounted AND the bow is still unstrung, the limb SHOULD feel loose (actually be loose) in the mounting.

The bolts are used to set draw weight and tiller and once set should not ever need changing again unless you ARE changing draw weight and tiller.

If you have "messed" with the bolts (sounds like you have) recheck the tiller and that the weight is what you want.  Full in on the bolts may or may not set the bow up where you want it.

Arne

[azhunter]

Most has been covered above, but when you tighten the limb bolts all the way down back them off 1/4 turn if you plan on shooting at the highest poundage setting. Most if not all makers of ILF risers recommend not having them turned all the way down.

[reddogge]

Since the Titan riser can only be backed off 3 turns for minimum preload I like to set my ILF bows by turning the bolts all the way in and back off half way, 1 1/2 turns, and then do my tillering from there.

I have two other riser that can be backed off 5 turns from all the way in.

[katman]

Mediums should work for you without stacking but I would not recommend shooting them with the bolts 1/4 out with a short riser at 28.5-29" draw. 2 turns out is a good start I think. Like moebow said start there, set tiller and tune arrow. This will give you a little room to adjust poundage if you need to for aid in tuning.

Don't get hung up on wanting maximum speed and needing to crank the bolts in (been there done that) if preload is to high the bow becomes very hard to be accurate with. If you want more speed get higher poundage ilf limbs.

Drew, I forgot your draw length. Call me and we can talk about it.

[katman]

Originally posted by drewsbow:
so how many turns out can you go on average ?

Different for different manufactures, das is 5 turns allowing 10% adjustment with the das limb attachment system. ILF attachment allows for less adjustment by its design. According to VPA site riser adjusts 2-3 pounds so it is probably less than 5, I would send email or call them to be sure. The riser is also cut 3/8" past center so you need to build out side plate with plunger, hard plate or something to get the arrow point just outside string. Looks like a great little riser.

Just a thought, don't let this overwhelm you, can sound complicated at first. You should not go wrong setting bolts 1/2 way out say 2 turns, set tiller, brace and tune.

[drewsbow]

Thanks Gery