I've launched over 3,000 arrows through my first fiberglass lam recurve bow built approximately 4 months ago. Even so, I still get a little "creak" sound when the bow is strung and every now and then on some of the first pulls. The bow shows no signs of stress cracks, delamination, twist, etc. Is this normal, what could cause it, and is it anything to worry about?

Thanks,
Charles
Madison, AL

Charles,

Is this a one piece or takedown?

Troy

If this is a one piece bow I would check the string groves.maybe put a little string wax on the end loops. For a takedown a little string wax on the limb pads might cure the problem.

I have a better trick for limb pad noise than the wax if it's a takedown. Take a gallon plastic milk or water jug and cut the flat sides out. Use the flats to make a plastic shim. Punch holes in the flats to go over the pins and inserts. Then trim to fit the riser. I've had afew bows creak and pop until I put in the shims. Never had one make a noise after that.

Clean and easy to make and no wax to keep applying.

Troy

How about WD-40?

Nah Roy save that for your hips and knees.

Now that's a great idea Troy! I'm an engineer by occupation and have access to good CAD software and a really nice laser cutter at work (used it to make my limb & riser cut patterns). I think I can draw up a perfect matching pad and laser cut it out of .015 inch thick low density polyethylene (milk jug material). Can't wait to see if this fixes the problem. Thanks for the tip Troy...

WD might mess with the finish. I have been able to get by with string wax. I think the jug shims would work well also.

What I would try if it is a one pieceis to wrap the string with some thin wool yarn, if your bow is a take down put a thin ( I'm talking not much thicker than paper)piece of felt between the riser and the limbs. This should take care of the creak and not hurt the proformance.

It's usually the limb rubbing against the edge of the limb pad, its acting like a pivot point between the limb bolt and the rest of the limb. Wax or shims work equally well. If you ever refinish the bow or build another, try rounding the very edge of the limb pad a little, this helps the limb roll over the edge rather than bind.

I second the THIN felt.  It stopped my take down from creaking.

All the pressure of being assembled and strung makes the finish between the limb pad and the limb want to bond even though it is curred. This is why you will get some noise when first being shot or drawn. That breaks the bond (makes the noise). Once you let idle for a while, it will try to bond again. This is why the shims of whatever work. A little lube (wax or whatever) in alignment pin holes will also help.

BigJim

Sorry it took so long to tell you guys that my bow is indeed a takedown recurve. I think you guys are on the mark with the riser limb pad leading edge rubbing the limb because that's a pivot point. In fact, my riser has rounded leading edges instead or a square edge which concentrates all that force on an even smaller area. Btw, I'm not saying the riser pad is rounded off such that the limb flex allows it to bear on a radius. I'm saying the riser pad face that mates with the limb is shaped like a wide D where the curve in the D bears against the limb when drawn.

Yep, I know what you mean, just enough to slightly reduce the abrupt 90 degree. Since you already did that I would definitely second BigJim on the finish sticking, that has buggered me a time or two.

I ordered a sheet of .02 inch thick black UHMW plastic (cutting board material) from McMaster Carr today. I'll slice it up and give it a try soon. Hopefully it will do the trick. Thanks guys!

Wax paper from the kitchen also works well between the limb and the riser to fix this problem.

News flash, the .02 thick sheet of UHMW worked like a charm! Thanks for the tip guys...