Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Stick Bender on February 09, 2017, 06:27:38 pm

Title: Measuring Bow Weight ?
Post by: Stick Bender on February 09, 2017, 06:27:38 pm
Hi Fellas on the last bow that I made it was the first time I used a digital pull gauge on my pulley system  and it took me a little while to figure out that the weight I was getting from the bow being pulled on the single point pulley system was different from the bow being pulled with three fingers on the bow in other words on the pulley 45 lb but with finger 47 lb or so , does any body have that issue and a way to figure actual weight when using a single point on the string ?
Title: Re: Measuring Bow Weight ?
Post by: George Tsoukalas on February 09, 2017, 08:00:24 pm
Are you measuring string to back of bow in both cases?
Title: Re: Measuring Bow Weight ?
Post by: DC on February 09, 2017, 09:31:17 pm
Where have you got the scale? The scale should hook to the string.
Title: Re: Measuring Bow Weight ?
Post by: Del the cat on February 10, 2017, 05:59:31 am
You have to allow for the weight of the scale if it's hanging on the string.
Or if the bow is hanging down with the scale above it, there is the additional weight of the bow.
My big scale weighs 2#
It's hard to get much more accurate than that anyway... measurement accuracy is a topic in itself, just because it's digital doesn't mean it right.
On the tillering tree the draw length scale needs to be adjustable to allow for the depth of the bow's grip, which can easilly vary by half inch or so from one bow to the next.
It's easy to get sucked in worrying about this stuff. The wonky warbow I just made was 100# at 32", but when I double checked the postion of the draw length scale it was half inch out, the reading also depended if I was standing or kneeling when I looked at it... I was doing force draw measurements every 10#, by the time I was getting to full draw it looked like 95# at 32"...
It doesn't really matter, I'm not going to take an inch off the bow or heat treat it just so I can say it's exactly 100# today, it will shift anyhow.
The one good thing is I now know it's actually been pulled to about 33.5" and thus has a decent safety margin.
While I'm droning on... if you pull the string with 3 fingers, it will be pulling the limbs back slightly further than if you are pulling on a hook.
There is just soooo much measurement error inherent in the system. I'd say plus or minus 2# is about par for the course.  :)
If you are worried about the extra 2#, just E-mail them to me and I'll tack 'em onto the wonky warbow >:D
Del
Title: Re: Measuring Bow Weight ?
Post by: Pappy on February 10, 2017, 06:04:26 am
I zero my scale for the weight of the scale hanging on the string. When you hang the scale on the string it will register the weight of the scale before you even pull your bow, usually not much , a few pounds depending on how much the scale weighs. 2 or 3 pounds don't make much difference to me but I want to know as close as I can before writing it on the bow.
 Pappy
Title: Re: Measuring Bow Weight ?
Post by: Pappy on February 10, 2017, 06:05:04 am
Posting at the same time Del. ;) :) :) :)
 Pappy
Title: Re: Measuring Bow Weight ?
Post by: Del the cat on February 10, 2017, 06:09:56 am
Posting at the same time Del. ;) :) :) :)
 Pappy
Good to see you, hope the weather's nicer over there... dull, cold and damp over here. >:(
Del :)
Title: Re: Measuring Bow Weight ?
Post by: Pappy on February 10, 2017, 06:13:12 am
23 this morning, 60 tomorrow with sun. ::)
 Pappy
Title: Re: Measuring Bow Weight ?
Post by: Stick Bender on February 10, 2017, 07:19:18 am
Thanks guys I am mesuring from the back of the bow , the scale is hooked directly below the string & I take the tare weight out before testing , I never have been that good at exsplaining things in writing I usaly send pics but cant get to the shop now , so I will try it a different way when I measure on the tree the scale is weiging from a surface area of say 1/8 in. on the string (The hook on the string )When drawing the bow say I have 3 fingers on the bow with a surface area of say 3 in. On the string with the bow actually being pulled farther drawing the bow by hand , Im not trying to get crazy accurate just trying to get honest weight  numbers when I chrony the bow I dont know if that exsplained any better ?
Title: Re: Measuring Bow Weight ?
Post by: Pappy on February 10, 2017, 07:36:49 am
I also use a 3 hook the size of my fingers or a leather strap the is like a tab the size of my 3 fingers. I position it where my fingers would go, they both  have an eye in them to hook the scale below. Also this gives me a better picture of how it will look when I draw it instead of the single hook in the center of the string. :)
 
 Pappy
Title: Re: Measuring Bow Weight ?
Post by: Stick Bender on February 10, 2017, 07:49:31 am
Thanks Pappy great idea that will solve the problem I will just custom make it to my fingers I just have to find some stiff leather like a old barbers strap to make one Thanks !
Title: Re: Measuring Bow Weight ?
Post by: BowEd on February 10, 2017, 10:11:03 am
There is a tube looking type gadget that's sold that you hook to your string as you pull it when drawing by hand to measure draw weight.Forget what they call it.Wonder if that would work?It stops right where you quit drawing showing you the poundage.I could get a pic of it up later.It's in the shed outside.On hind sight here though it will probably just draw on a single point yet like the hook on the poundage tester though instead of a wider place like with your 3 fingers.
Title: Re: Measuring Bow Weight ?
Post by: DC on February 10, 2017, 12:21:25 pm
I use a tab thing like Pappy but mine is a bit narrower. I used the widest scrap I had, bout 1 1/2". It's about 1/8" thick.
Title: Re: Measuring Bow Weight ?
Post by: Badger on February 10, 2017, 04:12:30 pm
   Now I am getting confused, if I hang a 3# scale from my string and it reads 3# isn't the weight of the scale actually pulling my bow 3# so I should leave the 3# on there and not zero it?
Title: Re: Measuring Bow Weight ?
Post by: Stick Bender on February 10, 2017, 06:24:08 pm
You know Mr Badger that is a excellent point some thing I never thought about  because even if my scale is setting at zero I'm  going to guess with battery's in it and all the hooks and stuff it probably weighs 2 lb it's a rather large scale so if I'm understanding your post right your saying if I'm pulling 45 lb worth of pressure I'm actually pulling 47 lb because of the weight of the scale ?
Title: Re: Measuring Bow Weight ?
Post by: bradsmith2010 on February 10, 2017, 06:41:58 pm
wow,,,my head hurts now,,  :)
Title: Re: Measuring Bow Weight ?
Post by: Stick Bender on February 10, 2017, 06:55:22 pm
I know Brad it's kinda hard for me to wrap my brain around too , but the more I think about it if the scale is zeroed out then it's pretending the extra 2 lbs are not even there and if your pulling 45 lb then that's the actual weight & it's just the finger hook thing  Woosh !!  :-\
Title: Re: Measuring Bow Weight ?
Post by: willie on February 10, 2017, 07:03:43 pm
sounds right to me Badger.


Quote
I zero my scale for the weight of the scale hanging on the string. When you hang the scale on the string it will register the weight of the scale before you even pull your bow,

when Pappy says "zero" I think he means to say that he is setting the tare to the weight of the scale like what Badger described.

If your electronic scale only allows you to truly zero, then you might have to hang it upside down.

Hows your head now, bradsmith ;D


Actually, I do like Pappys set-up with the leather tab three fingers wide.

Del, if I can get good repeatability on a known weight of 50#, that's good enough for me. The digital age does have a lot of dubious implied precision, like the bike shop that insisted I should have a digital tire pressure gage. they are more accurate you know. ;)
Title: Re: Measuring Bow Weight ?
Post by: Stick Bender on February 10, 2017, 07:13:05 pm
Ok that makes sense because this scale senses what the tare is automatically & zeros it is supposed to be supper accurate for commercial use & all that good stuff  so I will look in the manual and see if there is a way to not have it zero the tare  other wise I will just weight the scale & incorporate that to the weight , not trying to give you a migraine Brad  ;D