Bow Maintenance

As a mechanical device, your new or used compound bow requires periodic inspections to determine whether it requires any adjustments and service due to normal wear and tear. You should pay special attention to: axle, lubrication of axle bushings, spacers, strings, e-clips, cables, rise and limbs. Below are helpful instructions on how to maintain and take proper care of your new or used compound bow.

Strings and Cables

You should, on a regular basis, administer a light coating of bowstring wax to your strings and cables. You should do this at least once every two weeks during periods of frequent use. Your bowstring wax should be the highest quality available to ensure long life and durability. The wax will ensure that your bow's cables and strings are in tip top shape. Strings and cables should be replaced every two years or when wear becomes evident for your bow to achieve top performance. You should avoid shoddy cables and strings, using them will not only alter how your bow performs but can also damage it.

Eccentric Lubrication

Every 1500 to 2000 shots, you should apply a small spot of lube on the axles (it should be placed where they pass through the eccentric). If you have been using your bow in poor conditions--excessive moisture, dust and dirt--then you should apply lubrication every day. You should purchase a lubrication that is based on Teflon, silicone or a quality grease. You should avoid "penetrating oils" like WD-40, Fast Break, and EZ#7 to name a few.

Bow Press Use

Only use a bow press that is managed by a knowledgeable bow technician--if there is not one on hand then do not put your bow in one. A "Double Pull" bow press is far more beneficial than a single pull press.

Tiller Adjustment

To figure out the tiller you will need to subtract the difference from the measurement of the distance from the upper limb to the string and the distance of the lower limb to the string. To get the measurement on a single cam bow you just need the reference line from one axle to the other. The tiller primarily allows the archer to comfortably and easily aim the bow during the draw and then the release of the arrow.

An even tiller is most beneficial for a bow (this means the distances from string to limb on both the top and the bottom are the same). You make tiller adjustments by altering the limb weight adjustment bolts.

For instance: if the tiller favors the bottom limb you need to either increase the weight for the bottom or decrease it for the top limb. It is highly recommended that your tiller is initially set to be equal on the top and bottom.

Centershot

The centershot is the calibration of the shot upon the power path of the string. To do this you need only to move the arrow rest either to the left or the right. If you are a release shooter then you line up your shot with the string's power path. Finger shooters, on the other hand, should place their shot so the tip is a bit outside the string's power path. Your centershot greatly affects your bow's accuracy.

Fletch Clearance

The fletches' or vanes' ability to pass through, or by, your arrow rest cleanly and not striking the rest intensely enough that the shots path is greatly disrupted is called the fletch clearance. You must make sure that you have proper vane clearance to ensure that your arrows will have a proper flight.

Draw Weight Adjustment

You can easily make weight adjustments by rotating the weight adjustment bolt--rotate clockwise to increase the weight and counter clockwise to decrease the weight. Please Note: You should always adjust the top and bottom bolts equally. The Duel Locking Pocket system is equipped on some bows. On models that have it you should loosen the Locking Pocket screws (they are found on the side of the pocket) before you do any weight adjustments. Once you have completed the weight adjustments needed you will need to tighten the Locking Pocket screws.

Draw Length Adjustment

Generally, there are three kinds of draw length adjustment:

1) Slot Adjustments - To adjust you need to move the string from one slot to another in the cam to alter the draw length.

2) Peg Adjustments - To alter the draw length you move the string from one peg to another peg.

3) InnerCam Adjustments - To alter draw length, you move the Inner Cam module to a different point on the cam.

You do not have to use a bow press to adjust bows that are equipped with InnerCams. In order to alter the draw length use a standard hex key (allen key) to unfasten or slacken the Fastening screw. Remove the Draw Length screw using the hex key (allen key). You will lengthen the draw by rotating the Inner Cam module in the pluse direction. If you rotate the module towards the (-) sign then you will shorten the draw length.

You will need to fasten the Draw Length screw and then tighten the Fastening screw once you have placed the module at the location you desire. You can fine tune your adjustments by twisting the cables and string. You should be very careful and be sure that you are not twisting the cables and strings in the wrong direction.

Please Note: Compound bows are complete interdependent systems. If you alter the draw length then you might affect the bow's draw weight. If this occurs then your bow may no longer be at its peak weight and this might not be completely recoverable.

Tuning

You will need three fletched arrows as well as three bare shafts--they will all need to be straight and identical--to tune your bow. Shoot your fletched arrows, from a distance of 15 to 20 yards form your target, at the same spot and make necessary sight adjustments as you go. Once you have made these adjustments, shoot your bare shafts and compare how they perform to the fletched ones.

Lower the nocking point if the bare arrow shafts tend to group below your fletched arrows. If they group above the fletched arrows then you will want to shift the nock point up. Move in very small increments and NEVER move it more than 1/16" at once time.

Your sight setting will be altered each time you shift the nocking point and you will have to reset your sights after each alteration. Keep making adjustments until the bare and fletched shots are grouping close together. Decrease the bow weight if your bare shafts go to the right of the fletched shafts and you will also want to ensure weak arrow spine stiffness and vane clearance.

If the shaft gravitates to the left then you will increase your bow weight, vane clearance, and that your arrow spines are stiff. You can also do some minor adjustments by ever so slightly shifting your arrow rest to the right or left.

Please Note: If you are left handed you will have to reverse these instructions for right and left results.

Tuning with Broadheads

Many archers find that they have to make slight tuning alterations when they switch from using practice points to using broadheads. Broadheads, even if they are weighted the same, alter the aerodynamics of arrow flight. Because of this, you might need to adjust nocking point height, bow weight and rest position in order to accomplish the perfect broadhead flight.