I've got a 1953 Kodiak Mag 45# and it has some limb twist. I would like to use it but I'm not sure how safe it is. I was wondering if there is a way to fix the ol girl and get her straightened out or if it even needs to. I don't want it to break and injure anyone shooting it but I would like to shoot it maybe even hunt with it. Any help is appreciated fellas.
do you have any pictures where the twist is
My digital camera isn't working but when I string it up and look down the limbs its as if one goes left and one goes right like someone rung the water out of a towel (just trying to use an example here).
I run very warm (NOT HOT) water over the limbs and twist them in the opposite direction. Then some cool water to cool the limbs down while continuing twisting in the opposite direction. May take a few times to get them straightened good. Then I restring the bow and let her get used to being straight again. Done several this way....Randy
I actually did this on accident, but managed to get them straight again. Left it in the car for about 2 hours on a 90 degree day and picked it up and it was pretty warm so i flexed it a little back to where it looked right. Shes pretty straight now.
Obviously only opinion - but laminates and fiberglass-wood lamination have changed quite a bit as new polymers are developed & pressing / fitting methods change. When a bow (or an item that uses those products) and demands stress as part of it's operation; any alterations should be approached with the most conservative agenda possible and go from there.
Frankly if the methods used are techniques that use no greater heat than would be encountered in everyday used; that seems very reasonable. However I would be altogether weary of things like heat guns and methods of a more unique nature until all options are attempted.