Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: newknapper on July 25, 2009, 01:14:54 pm

Title: Taking out set
Post by: newknapper on July 25, 2009, 01:14:54 pm
I got a Dogwood 58#@27" that has taken about 2" of set. I would like to bring it back straight. If I heat it back straight will I need to retiller? Also will it pull back into set again or should I temper the belly? Also it has 2-3 coats of true-oil on it, whats the best way to remove it if I decide to straighten it back? Thanks alot
Title: Re: Taking out set
Post by: Dano on July 25, 2009, 01:58:25 pm
Build a new bow, it isn't worth the effort to strip the finish and toast the belly, the set is done, enjoy the bow the way it came out and go on.
Title: Re: Taking out set
Post by: newknapper on July 25, 2009, 02:05:13 pm
Alright, the bow shoots good. Guess I was doing more for asthetics more than anything.
Title: Re: Taking out set
Post by: FlintWalker on July 25, 2009, 03:08:27 pm
Dano's right. If the bow's already shot in, it's very likely you'll do more harm than good.  The reason it has set is because the belly has compressed.  Heating and pulling it back doesn't fix the problem. It simply stretches wood fibers that have been compressed and will often cause cracks to tear open on the belly. ;)
Title: Re: Taking out set
Post by: adb on July 25, 2009, 04:10:33 pm
Build a new bow, it isn't worth the effort to strip the finish and toast the belly, the set is done, enjoy the bow the way it came out and go on.
I agree. 2" of set is nothing. It sounds like a good bow... go and shoot it. Why do so many new bowyers get so hung up on set?? A little bit of set (<2") is actually a good thing.
Title: Re: Taking out set
Post by: Dano on July 25, 2009, 04:37:38 pm
Asthetics, I suppose we all get hung up on it.
Title: Re: Taking out set
Post by: newknapper on July 25, 2009, 04:52:43 pm
Build a new bow, it isn't worth the effort to strip the finish and toast the belly, the set is done, enjoy the bow the way it came out and go on.
I agree. 2" of set is nothing. It sounds like a good bow... go and shoot it. Why do so many new bowyers get so hung up on set?? A little bit of set (<2") is actually a good thing.

What makes set a good thing?
Title: Re: Taking out set
Post by: shamus on July 25, 2009, 05:10:37 pm
SET is called SET for a reason.

It's there, it's done. 
Title: Re: Taking out set
Post by: NOMADIC PIRATE on July 25, 2009, 07:07:15 pm
SET is called SET for a reason.

It's there, it's done. 


 :D :D :D

nothing wrong with some set, .....makes it easyer to brace  ;D
Title: Re: Taking out set
Post by: Timo on July 25, 2009, 07:37:50 pm
My best bow "Greta" carries 1.5" of it around with her.  The deer hate it when they see me carring her into the woods. ;D A lil set makes the bow shot sweeter to me.  Just shoot it and make more,I'll bet you will go back to this bow and wonder why you built anymore. ;)
Title: Re: Taking out set
Post by: adb on July 25, 2009, 09:33:07 pm
What makes set a good thing?... If your bow has taken just a slight bit of set, you know you've got the limbs as light as possible, thereby minimizing limb mass, and maximizing cast. This is assuming proper tiller for design, of course. Poor tiller, poor design, or poor wood will worsen set.
The bow is also less harsh to shoot, and slightly sweeter in the hand , and more accurate IMO.
Title: Re: Taking out set
Post by: newknapper on July 25, 2009, 11:13:20 pm
I am very accurate with this bow now that yall mention it, so I guess I should leave it alone. Thanks guys for the help.
Title: Re: Taking out set
Post by: adb on July 26, 2009, 10:48:50 am
Can you show us some pics?
Title: Re: Taking out set
Post by: Eric Krewson on July 26, 2009, 11:06:31 am
I have tried to heat and reflex out the string follow on several bows, the deflex came back in every one of them.

One time I toasted the belly of a very sluggish, deflexed BBO and ended up with a straight limbed rocket launcher, 5 lbs heavier than than the bow I started with. The string follow did not come back in this bow.

Toasting the belly might work but again, 2" of string follow isn't that bad.
Title: Re: Taking out set
Post by: El Destructo on July 26, 2009, 12:49:38 pm
Leave it be.....enjoy the Bow....and rest assured the Set will not do it any Harm...but to the Contrary....may make it last a lot longer........ ;D
Title: Re: Taking out set
Post by: newknapper on July 27, 2009, 12:12:10 am
Can you show us some pics?

I will try to get some pics tomorrow
Title: Re: Taking out set
Post by: Hillbilly on July 27, 2009, 09:54:14 am
Ditto. 2" of set makes a sweet shooting bow sometimes. It may be a bit slower than if it were straight or reflexed, but accuracy is more important than speed IMO. A bit of set will make it more stable, also. If it's shooting good, I'd leave it alone. Besides, as was said, once the wood cells are compressed, they're not going to uncompress. I've flipped the tips up on a couple that had some set, a good way to add a bit more speed fairly easily.
Title: Re: Taking out set
Post by: jr 56 on July 31, 2009, 01:20:28 pm
Great topic, being that I am a reformed set-addict! Wasted to much time obsessing over  1" or less set. I noticed my group sizes opened up the more time I spent obsessing and less time shooting. 2" and under on a shot in hunting weight bow is fine. I well placed shot beats out 5 fps anytime.
Title: Re: Taking out set
Post by: Del the cat on July 31, 2009, 06:19:26 pm
A bit of set or string follow, can be seen as a good thing :o, it shows you are getting the maximum out of the wood.
I've seen longbows made far too long with barely any curve at full draw, I always think of how much wasted wood is being accelerated and how much extra strain it could take.
Trying to take it out will do no good at all.
I've tried adding recurved tips to a bow with some set, and guess what...it just took a bit more set to make up for the recurve!
Del
Title: Re: Taking out set
Post by: George Tsoukalas on July 31, 2009, 06:49:12 pm
Enjoy your bow in good health. :) Jawge