Old glass bow

[sbhockey]

Probably a dumb question, but I'll ask anyway. I've got an old (1960) Shakespear, parabow. I was thinking about stringing it up to play with in the back yard a bit. Would anyone have concerns with shooting a 57 year old fiberglass bow? Sees to be pretty flexy still, just don't want to have it pop while stringing or shooting it. I'd like to hunt trad in the next year or so, and thought shooting a nice light bow to get comfortable would be a good idea. Have a 53# Browning re-curve I'll start shooting later in the year.

 

[Shag]

You've got the right idea! Start with a low weight bow to build and ingrain good form. Then slowly work your way up to a heavier weight. I wouldn't hesitate a bit to shoot the bow in question...provided the glass isn't splintered or fractured. Start playing with it and have fun.

I started without a clue on a 45# bow. Which would have been perfectly doable...but I didn't have a clue about form or arrow tuning. Then I jumped up to 58# which was stupid. After that I dropped back to 45 and learned about form, tuning etc.

 

[user 972]

Make sure you have the proper string. I would slowly string it and listen for any pops in the glass. Then check it over good before shooting. Then ENJOY. :tu:

 

[sbhockey]

Picked up a string at Bass Pro today, unforunetly, the loops were a little large. When I test pull it, its fine, but when I release the tension slowly, the strings drop off. Any way of tightening up the loops? I'll probably just order something that works, but wanted to see if there was anything I could do in the mean time.

 

[user 972]

How long is the bow? How long is the string?

 

[Shag]

What kind of string is it? On a Flemish twist string, the loops can be untwisted pretty easily and wound up a little tighter. I've done it on several strings....but always because the string was too long. Of course, this is always "at your own risk". I'd hate for you to try it and have it let loose on you. But that's how I learned to make a string...take one apart and twist it back together.

If it's endless loop...you might be able to take a serving jig (if you have one at your disposal) and serve around the bottom of the loops to tighten it up. I wouldn't hesitate to try that if I thought it'd work and get me shooting. But I've done all kinds of crap that I wouldn't really advise others to do lol.

 

[sbhockey]

How long is the bow? How long is the string?

The bow is listed as 56" and calls for a 53.5" string. Closest I found was 53" or 55" I went longer, thinking I didn't want to stress the bow.

 

[sbhockey]

What kind of string is it? On a Flemish twist string, the loops can be untwisted pretty easily and wound up a little tighter. I've done it on several strings....but always because the string was too long. Of course, this is always "at your own risk". I'd hate for you to try it and have it let loose on you. But that's how I learned to make a string...take one apart and twist it back together.

If it's endless loop...you might be able to take a serving jig (if you have one at your disposal) and serve around the bottom of the loops to tighten it up. I wouldn't hesitate to try that if I thought it'd work and get me shooting. But I've done all kinds of crap that I wouldn't really advise others to do lol.

Not sure what type of string it is off hand, but I believe its endless. I'll stop at a local archery shop one day this week to get the proper string.

 

[user 972]

How long is the bow? How long is the string?

The bow is listed as 56" and calls for a 53.5" string. Closest I found was 53" or 55" I went longer, thinking I didn't want to stress the bow.

without seeing the bow and string, I'm guessing the string is too long causing your brace height to be too short and not having the proper tension on the string is what may be causing the string to slip off. too large of loops will cause problems also.
measure the bow with a tape and make sure it's 56". if it's a recurve you will need a 52" string, longbow 53". make sure you get a B50 string, not fast flight.

 

[sbhockey]

How long is the bow? How long is the string?

The bow is listed as 56" and calls for a 53.5" string. Closest I found was 53" or 55" I went longer, thinking I didn't want to stress the bow.

without seeing the bow and string, I'm guessing the string is too long causing your brace height to be too short and not having the proper tension on the string is what may be causing the string to slip off. too large of loops will cause problems also.
measure the bow with a tape and make sure it's 56". if it's a recurve you will need a 52" string, longbow 53". make sure you get a B50 string, not fast flight.

Thanks, I'm thinking both are to blame. Too long of a string, and to large of loops.

 

[user 972]

another thing to watch for, limb twist. I had a bow to loose it's string because of sudden limb twist.

 

[sbhockey]

Thanks for the advice. Certainly a help.

 

[Locksley]

Most strings sold now are fast flight strings and are not for the older recurves. The newer string material will destroy the bow tips as they are built for the rayon strings used in the 1950s 1960, and 1970s . The old type string might be available at a bow shop that deals in recurve bows. The compound bow dealers mostly do not know recurve strings.
Also indeed another thing to watch for, limb twist. I had a bow to lose it's string because of a twisted limb . I slowly kept shooting it and putting that old bow in a proper recurve bow rack , until it slowly straightened that limb back out.

 

[sbhockey]

Thanks for the tips. I bought some B50 and am going to try making my own string for it. Really thinking it's the large loops, but I'll keep an eye out for limb twist.