Anybody else hate tuning new bows?

[Zradix]

Nope...I like it.
Kinda like figuring out a puzzle.

[ThePushArchery]

I seem to never have issues with tuning in bows. My dad has a heck of a time with many expletives that usually ends with a phone-call to me to come over and help.

I don't think its ever taken me longer than 25 minutes to get a new bow bareshafting darts into my fletched groups out to 30 yards.

[Leland]

Tuning is half the fun of getting a new bow.Then after everything comes together I get all warm and fuzzy inside.
Leland

[KyRidgeRunner]

I'm with you etter!  I don't have a bunch of different spine arrows and my time is limited, I much rather be in the field then in the yard with a bare shaft... Funny you brought this up as I've been tuning a bow this week.  I somehow got some field tips Mixed up and bare shafted my bow to the wrong weight yesterday     I had my bare flyin like a dart and knock height was perfect.  Now I have to start over due to my lack of attention!

[Manitoba Stickflinger]

I kinda like tuning bows! It gives me the confidence in the field to know what to do if I need to repair my setup. To know what to do without having the internet or charts on hand is important to me as a bowhunter. Having a spare string (already shot in) with silencers and nock point installed eliminates these issues more often than not.

I'm sure most guys that have ventured out on hunts over weeks rather than days have seen how the elements can cause say string stretch. Knowing how to retune is very handy.

Another thing IMO is that Trad guys should be in touch with their equipment. Not to frown on those who detest tuning but I think it's just because of a lack of tuning confidence.

If most stickbow guys 1st and foremost did their part to eliminate  contact and clearance issues I think tuning would not be such a daunting task. Trying to tune a bow/arrow with contact issues is more often then not the reason guys hate tuning. IMO the next issue is shooting too stiff of an arrow for their bow. Eliminate contact and start with a weak spine would be my 1st two steps towards not hating the process.

[nineworlds9]

Interesting thread.  I'm surprised by the number of folks who don't enjoy it.  I personally love it, every bow is a little different and the differences are fascinating going from bow style to style or when varying poundages.  I find it an entertaining activity during the off-season, and when trying new brands of arrows or new arrow setups.  I have learned a lot about what makes different bow designs tick through tuning, and it has given me an increased appreciation for what some of our gifted bowyers do to make a worthy hunting bow.  I will agree, once hunting season comes I like to have my gear set and not worry about it too much.  I have saved myself a lot of frustration I think by shooting full length carbon shafts and tuning via insert and point weight.  This way all I need to do is guess a spine for a particular bow, choose an insert and then play with several different point weights and adjust brace height and nock height to suit.  Its a pretty consistent method that fits my shooting style.  I can imagine once you start cutting arrows it gets a little more "invested" so frustration could easily result.  I also try shoot the same type of string on all my bows, 12 strand Rhino, so that one factor is constant.

[the rifleman]

I really enjoy this aspect.  I have spent hours tinkering with diff combos and have learned a lot.  Seems to get easier each time.  As my form has evolved it actually is now meaningful.  If they fly where I look bare I'm happy and have found the broadheads on feathered shafts are tuned for me.  Lots of great advice from folks on tg.

[LC]

Great thread. I don't enjoy it myself that's why the last dozen bows I've built are able to shoot the same arrows I aleady have tons of! lol

[old_goat2]

My favorite part of a new bow is tuning it!

[hitman]

Yeah I hate it like eating. That's a fun part of getting a new bow.

[Thumper Dunker]

I get bows that shoot my arrows.    

[Ray Lyon]

By a wise old indian......'any bow good bow, good arrow heap much work'

Dennis Kamstra and Jason Wesbrock have two great articles in the Feb/March 2015 TBM that just came out on tuning and shooting.  A good reminder to what it's all about.  Also, Denny Sturgis has a paper tune tutorial in there that's straight forward.

[overbo]

IMO, you are shooting two different animals in bow design. You are going from a deflex riser w/ modest limb pre-load, and a 9'' brace w/ the widow. Just a rock solid design.

The Zipper is a hotrod,
Very little deflex in comparison, brace 7'' or under, and a ton of pre-load in those limbs.

You went from one spectrum of bow design to another. Be patient w/ that Zipper and get to know it w/ your shooting form and then fine tune.
Good luck

[atatarpm]

I love the journey tuning can be a learning experience for me. I've spent a lot of time trying to learn a lost art called arrowsmithing. For me that's the best part.

[coldwinterlake]

I don't know what I'm doing wrong but when tuning a bow and carbon arrows, Stu's calculator is off by 40 pounds or something. For example 55#@29.5" cut-past-center recurve with 8 strand string and Heritage 250s (.390 spine) 32.75" lenght and 225gr upfront is showing stiff when bare shaft tuning, but once I flecthed those they were weak. Ended up cutting them to 31". Sometimes I don't get it and try to forget all the numbers and just play around.
Bare shaft tuning and Stu's calculator have been actually the biggest obstackles for me.... Weird

[**DONOTDELETE**]

Originally posted by coldwinterlake:
I don't know what I'm doing wrong but when tuning a bow and carbon arrows, Stu's calculator is off by 40 pounds or something. For example 55#@29.5" cut-past-center recurve with 8 strand string and Heritage 250s (.390 spine) 32.75" length and 225gr upfront is showing stiff when bare shaft tuning, but once I fletched those they were weak. Ended up cutting them to 31". Sometimes I don't get it and try to forget all the numbers and just play around.
Bare shaft tuning and Stu's calculator have been actually the biggest obstacles for me.... Weird

Don't forget with a cut past center shelf you've got a great means to fine tune your spine flex with strike plate thickness. and using hard or soft material makes a big difference too. I like my arrows to be the same length and often can't get the exact point weight at the length i want. that's where strike adjustments come in handy.

[tzolk]

I try to stick with the same general poundage to fit my arrows and ones cut to center.