Bow tuning DIY

cali_hornhunter

cali_hornhunter

WKR
Joined
Apr 12, 2012
Messages
604
Location
Tehama County, CA
How hard is it to tune your bow and do everything yourself with the proper equipment I'm sure it's a huge learning curve the reason I ask is lately after a experience since I've been back is I lost a little lack of confidence in the pro shop I use and kind of feel like they aren't into it and don't really care and I feel like I could do better with learning and tinkering myself instead of driving 40 miles
 
Archerytalk is your friend.

I have my own flexing jig, bow master portable press (all you need), made a draw board, have a hanging meat scale, bought a cheap bow mounted chrono.

I purchased a DVD a few years off a guy on AT and it was good.

Now I don't trust a pro shop to know more than me. I'm sure they're out there but not near me.

Good luck.
 
Jimbob called it, Archerytalk has a bunch of tuning guides to walk you through. Google, kitchen sink tune :archerytalk: and you will get a ton of info. I was forced into tuning my own after a local shop f'd mine all up. It isn't that hard once you figure out what does what. Disclaimer: I have a single cam which is easier than the binary/dual cam bows out there. But, those aren't overly difficult either, just more time consuming.

Tools; for sure some type of press. I use a Bowmaster and home made bow vise/holder. A bit slow but does the job. Basic hand tools, allen wrenches, etc as needed. I also have a Harbor Freight winch set up to check can/idler wheel lean at full draw. With this combo I can do everything but remove the limbs which isn't something often done. A draw board will be necessary to check timing on dual cam bows. An easy DIY. Again, AT has a bunch of DIY projects to save you some dough.

Good luck man!
 
I think to many people over complicate it. A bow is not a complicated piece of machinery. One thing I always stress to people wanting to work on their own equipment is to take good measurements and notes before doing any work. This way if something doesn't work you have your notes and measurements to fall back on to return everything to square one.
 
^^^^ x1000 take good notes of everything you do step by step. That way you can put it back to the way it was if things don't work. And take lots of pics. Other than that follow Archery Talk ( great thread on how to do it. Step by step on there somewhere) and YouTube.
 
Couple things here. As ORarcher already said take good notes. I have been working on my own bows for 15 years and managing a proshop for 8. I always right down whatever changes I make to a bow. I have note books full of notes. Not only does it help to return back to what I was previously at, but it also gives reference points for the future. I right down the results of the change as well. Archerytalk has some good info on it, but it also has an equal amount of bad info. There are a lot of tuning guides online and different methods so do research and start with the ones that appeal to you. George Ryals has some good videos on Youtube as do many others. Bows are simple but people tend to make tuning complicated. It is a fairly intuitive process, if it seems complicated you are likely doing it wrong. If you want to get started and need pointed in the right direction feel free to shoot me a message or email me at [email protected]

Good luck.
John
 
Thanks guys for all the input and advice I really apprecriate it!!! I can see how you could easily over complicate things gonna have to start doing some research on stuff now
 
Piece of cake. Post up questions you have, and I am sure lots of us can answer them. I ALWAYS double check my proshop, and he is a good buddy of mine!!!!
 
Tuning your bow puts you in the top 10%...better than all of the other screw on a mech head and hunt crowd. your bow will not only be quieter and with better arrow flight...but more forgiving- a win /win for hunting.
 
cali. where do you live?

i'm in the bay area, and like you i am learning. i think i mentally have it. like you, i live very far from any proshop, and when i get there..it is very hit or miss. best to DIY, if only for the self sufficient-ness.

if you are a neighbor, maybe we can figure this out together.
 
Learning to tune and work on your bow only makes you a better archer and bowhunter. Gives you confidence. Its pretty easy. I have a bow time machine. It is a draw board and bow press all in one. Works well for tuning and doing any work I need to do on my bow.
 
I built both a press and draw board last year and got my bow tuned with help from Youtube and other online sources. I really like understanding how to get it shooting better. I'm no expert but at least I have a basic understanding of the mechanics. Helps me diagnose issues on my own.

Being self sufficient is very rewarding.
 
I
boom said:
cali. where do you live?

i'm in the bay area, and like you i am learning. i think i mentally have it. like you, i live very far from any proshop, and when i get there..it is very hit or miss. best to DIY, if only for the self sufficient-ness.

if you are a neighbor, maybe we can figure this out together.
Click to expand...
Hey boom I'm like 300 miles north of ya. And Justin where did you get a bow timing machine which sounds like a do all kind of thing?
 
It's not that hard to do it yourself but there is a learning curve. The good news is that if you write down what you do, you can always undo it. Also if you need a good shop there is one in Chico but that sounds like a long drive for you.
 
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