Cable Selection Help - First time Bow setup

[BKhunter]

Hey All,

I am attempting to set up my own bow, and I need to order a new set of strings. My draw length is coming out to 28.2 based on my 70 1/2 wingspan measurement (I did this measurement myself by laying on the floor with a tape measure and taking 70.5 and divided by 2.5 for my draw length). Should I go 28 or 29 as my draw length? I was looking at 60X strings and I have a Matthews Monster Chill which is about 5 years old. I am not sure which set of strings though is the proper set to purchase. Also open to other ideas on string to purchase. Any other things I should be looking for or tips for a first time bow set up?

BK

 

[OR Archer]

Your draw length will have no bearing on the string you choose. You need to purchase the proper spec string for that model bow. That’s it. As far as a quality string I wouldn’t choose 60X.
As far as draw length goes that method isn’t very accurate in my experience. You’ll want someone who knows what they’re doing to help fit the bow to you properly

 

[BKhunter]

Your draw length will have no bearing on the string you choose. You need to purchase the proper spec string for that model bow. That’s it. As far as a quality string I wouldn’t choose 60X.
As far as draw length goes that method isn’t very accurate in my experience. You’ll want someone who knows what they’re doing to help fit the bow to you properly

So the bow is mine and was fit to me by a pro-shop. The problem I am having is the more I read into tuning and things of that nature more more I want to do all the work myself on my bow and the less I have trust that a pro shop did everything properly and not just to make the sale and rush me out the door. The cable 100% need to be changed am not sure where to even begin.

 

[Gumbo]

Agreed. A lot of it depends on string angle too. With a shorter axle-to-axle length and shorter brace height you would likely go a little longer to get the string to your nose tip. Longer ATA and brace would lend themselves more to a shorter draw length. You should set the draw length to get the bow arm and front shoulder in the right position, then tweak the D loop length to get your drawing arm into the right position. Unfortunately this is where most shops in my experience fall short. They don't have or take the time to set a newbie up properly. There is the 28.5" option as well on almost all bows, and I'd be amazed if you couldn't get a mod or setting on that bow for that length.

 

[Gumbo]

So the bow is mine and was fit to me by a pro-shop. The problem I am having is the more I read into tuning and things of that nature more more I want to do all the work myself on my bow and the less I have trust that a pro shop did everything properly and not just to make the sale and rush me out the door. The cable 100% need to be changed am not sure where to even begin.

You would need a press to adjust cable/string length. An EZ Green is a great and economical way to go. Doing your own tuning is the only way to ensure stuff is done up to your standards and tuned to perfection for you. It really doesn't take many tools. I figured it out for a buddy and to set up a very complete shop through lancaster was about $1000 bucks, but this included a lot you wouldn't necessarily need. If you want I can PM you the spreadsheet I made for him.

 

[Gumbo]

Sorry, it was $1000 bucks.

 

[BKhunter]

You would need a press to adjust cable/string length. An EZ Green is a great and economical way to go. Doing your own tuning is the only way to ensure stuff is done up to your standards and tuned to perfection for you. It really doesn't take many tools. I figured it out for a buddy and to set up a very complete shop through lancaster was about $1000 bucks, but this included a lot you wouldn't necessarily need. If you want I can PM you the spreadsheet I made for him.

I would love to see that sheet thanks! I actually decided the ez green was the press I was going with I have just been waiting to pull the trigger.


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[Gumbo]

PM sent, but I need your email to send an excel spreadsheet.

 

[BKhunter]

These are a few pics of the bow if anyone can assist it helping me to know what cables to buy

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[OR Archer]

So the bow is mine and was fit to me by a pro-shop. The problem I am having is the more I read into tuning and things of that nature more more I want to do all the work myself on my bow and the less I have trust that a pro shop did everything properly and not just to make the sale and rush me out the door. The cable 100% need to be changed am not sure where to even begin.

Why do you think it’s too long or short? What’s the draw length set to now?
If you need strings I can help you. We stock GAS bowstrings for Mathews bows. I can get you the proper strings if you’re not sure. At the very least I can get you the correct string specs.

 

[BKhunter]

Why do you think it’s too long or short? What’s the draw length set to now?
If you need strings I can help you. We stock GAS bowstrings for Mathews bows. I can get you the proper strings if you’re not sure. At the very least I can get you the correct string specs.

It't not that I think it is to long or short I actually shoot the bow great. I just have no idea what I am doing as it relates to setting up a bow or ordering strings. I posted a few pictures above of the bow and the cables.

 

[OR Archer]

I’ll get you the correct specs when I get to the shop in an hour.

 

[Planopurist]

If you’re draw length is fine, there shouldn’t be a reason to be too concern with it if your only changing the strings/cables. For a proper set of custom strings, I would recommend www.bowstringdepot.com. They make excellent strings with excellent customer sales/service.

I got my press and all other last chance archery equipment from www.fulcrumarchery.com. They’ve got the best LCA pricing around and free shipping on orders over $100.


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[Gumbo]

It't not that I think it is to long or short I actually shoot the bow great. I just have no idea what I am doing as it relates to setting up a bow or ordering strings. I posted a few pictures above of the bow and the cables.

Again, not certain on that model, but strings/cables are usually specific to a model of bow regardless of the mod or draw length setting. You can let any string builder know the specific model of bow and they will build strings and cables to the manufacturer's specs. If you want string/cables shorter or longer, you don't typically order a different length, you just twist or untwist them, which will shorten or lengthen the cables/string respectively. This is how you fine tune draw length within a setting. If you find, however, that you NEED to be right in between a setting, i.e. 28.25", or need to go 31.5 on a bow that only goes to 31, you might consider short or long stringing the bow, but this is unnecessary for the overwhelming majority of situations.

 

[OR Archer]

Chill string specs

String= 60 3/4
Cables= 28 1/8
Yoke = 12

 

[BKhunter]

Chill string specs

String= 60 3/4
Cables= 28 1/8
Yoke = 12

Thanks!

 

[BKhunter]

Thanks!

OR Archer. Is this process of changing all strings a cables complicated? Someone was saying that I may need to remove the cams and this could get tricky. Like I said I want to learn how to do all my own work, but just seeing how much of a project this is going to be.

 

[Don Qui Puncher]

I don’t see needing to remove cams but I’m not familiar with that bow, I recently bought an EZ green press, versa cradle and made a draw board with a trailer winch. Like OR said I highly recommend GAS bowstrings. I put my first set on last month and it was very simple I pressed the bow removed one cable replaced with new then the second and then the string, do one at a time and you’ll be. They come pre twisted to spec install without adding or removing twists. I had the bow shooting bullet holes before the new strings were installed and thought I’d need to re tune after but after shooting 20 times or so to let strings settle I shot bare shafts through paper and had perfect bullet holes, not sure if I got lucky or that’s what to be expected with quality string maker. Do it bite the bullet get the press I’m so glad I did

 

[OR Archer]

Again, not certain on that model, but strings/cables are usually specific to a model of bow regardless of the mod or draw length setting. You can let any string builder know the specific model of bow and they will build strings and cables to the manufacturer's specs. If you want string/cables shorter or longer, you don't typically order a different length, you just twist or untwist them, which will shorten or lengthen the cables/string respectively. This is how you fine tune draw length within a setting. If you find, however, that you NEED to be right in between a setting, i.e. 28.25", or need to go 31.5 on a bow that only goes to 31, you might consider short or long stringing the bow, but this is unnecessary for the overwhelming majority of situations.

Y

OR Archer. Is this process of changing all strings a cables complicated? Someone was saying that I may need to remove the cams and this could get tricky. Like I said I want to learn how to do all my own work, but just seeing how much of a project this is going to be.

yes on that bow you have to remove the cams to install the yokes on the AVS.
And don’t ever short/long string a bow. That’s just incorrect advice.

 

[Gumbo]

Y


yes on that bow you have to remove the cams to install the yokes on the AVS.
And don’t ever short/long string a bow. That’s just incorrect advice.

I am by no means an expert and I know you know your stuff so I have a question. If you know how long your string needs to be to be the perfect fit in draw (by measuring on a stretcher at 100 pounds tension) why is it a bad idea to build one to that precise length? Aren't you are essentially long or short stringing by removing or adding twists to a string to reach a specific draw length anyway? How is building one to that precise length any different? Obviously you wouldn't have to do much to gain/lose 1/4 inch to fit between mod settings, and wouldn't building one a little longer be better than removing twists to increase by 1/4 inch and loosening serving? The 31.5 inch example is stretching the limits of the bow for sure, but I've read some by Nuts and Bolts in his tuning guide about doing just that. Again I've read a lot about this and never done it, but I am in the process of building my own strings and cables and am curious as to your experiences. Thanks in advance for your explanation.