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Main Boards => The Bowyer's Bench => Topic started by: matts2 on February 16, 2011, 12:20:00 AM

Title: Major Shock in Bow
Post by: matts2 on February 16, 2011, 12:20:00 AM
I have been shooting my board bow in the garage with just some heavy cord as a string as I was waiting for a real string.  Bow always felt great and shot just fine, at 15 feet.  I took the bow to shoot 3d league tonight and while I was at the archery shop I picked up a Flemish string to put on the bow.  I put about 6.5" brace on it and all of the sudden this bow got some major shock.  It hits so hard that I feel it all the way up my arm.  I can understand that the bow was probably shooting faster and the string is faster, but I can't believe the difference.  

64" NTN. 41# at 28"
Any thoughts or suggestions.

Thanks
Matt
Title: Re: Major Shock in Bow
Post by: KochNE on February 16, 2011, 12:37:00 AM
The stretchy high-mass cord was absorbing the shock before.  Guess I'm just stating the obvious as you knew that.  

As far as fixing it...how wide are the tips?  What weight arrows are you shooting?  Shock is due to energy/ inertia.  Narrower tips= lower mass= less inertia= less handshock.  

Heavier arrows require more energy to move & reduce noise & shock some (so I've heard).

String silencers dissipate energy and may help some.  My bow never had any real shock, but I couldn't believe how the beaver fur silencers completely eliminated the post-shot "twang" from my FF string.

How tight are you gripping it?  A bow sling & very loose grip will increase consistency and reduce perceived shock.
Title: Re: Major Shock in Bow
Post by: Aznboi3644 on February 16, 2011, 03:14:00 AM
only time i've had handshock is with massive tips...just too much mass in the outer limbs...I like to try to get the tips between 1/4" - 3/8" wide
Title: Re: Major Shock in Bow
Post by: PEARL DRUMS on February 16, 2011, 06:15:00 AM
Try to narrow the tips if possible, and trap the heck out of the back. Did you mess with the brace height at all? Try moving it around a 1/4" here and there before you start whittling away on a finished bow.
Title: Re: Major Shock in Bow
Post by: matts2 on February 16, 2011, 08:43:00 AM
My tips are on the larger side, that is sounding like it has something to do with it.  I have otter fur on the string.  I am shooting Heritage 150's full length.  Total weight of arrow is 475.  Not sure how tight I was holding the grip.  I usually don't hold a bow very tight.

The bow is my first build so it is more of a test run so I don't mind one bit about modifying it.  I started a new bow last night and will remember the tip size.

thanks
Matt
Title: Re: Major Shock in Bow
Post by: George Tsoukalas on February 16, 2011, 08:56:00 AM
In most bows the last 6 inches can be narrowed. That will decrease shock. The caveat is if the bow is whip tillered deceasing the last 6 inches may not be good. Jawge
Title: Re: Major Shock in Bow
Post by: matts2 on February 16, 2011, 09:31:00 AM
So I am understanding that the weight at the tips is the main issue, right?  Keep the tips thin and lite to keep the shock down.  Ok, that helps a ton.  

Here is the tip on the bow in question.  I am thinking the wrap is a factor in this problem and should probably come off.

 (http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb262/MSCustomCalls/187.jpg)
Title: Re: Major Shock in Bow
Post by: PEARL DRUMS on February 16, 2011, 09:57:00 AM
Yup, if you dont need that tape on there, get it gone.
Title: Re: Major Shock in Bow
Post by: matts2 on February 16, 2011, 10:04:00 AM
Thats serving string coated in epoxy.  So its probably got some weight to it.  I will take it off and thin the tips and see what happens.
Title: Re: Major Shock in Bow
Post by: Mike Most on February 16, 2011, 10:11:00 AM
What does the rest of your bow look like? Curious here to see your work.

Mike  ;)
Title: Re: Major Shock in Bow
Post by: matts2 on February 16, 2011, 10:19:00 AM
Here is the whole bow.  It is still a work in progress as I am still changing it as I go.  Yesterday I cut the shelf in a little further for more of a center shot.  My next mod on it besides the tips will be lowering the shelf as I have it too high from center.  Its my first attempt at making a bow and learning a lot from it.  I started my next one last night and should have it done in a few days.

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