Traditional Archery Discussions on the Leatherwall


Upper Limb Twist

Messages posted to thread:
Don T Lewis 21-Apr-23
fdp 21-Apr-23
Don T Lewis 21-Apr-23
Don T Lewis 21-Apr-23
Saphead 21-Apr-23
fdp 21-Apr-23
George D. Stout 21-Apr-23
Jeff Durnell 21-Apr-23
2 bears 21-Apr-23
Don T Lewis 21-Apr-23
Don T Lewis 21-Apr-23
Don T Lewis 21-Apr-23
EZ Archer 21-Apr-23
Oly 22-Apr-23
GUTPILEPA 22-Apr-23
selstickbow 22-Apr-23
selstickbow 22-Apr-23
Mahigunn 22-Apr-23
Don T Lewis 22-Apr-23
zog 26-May-23
Patrick 26-May-23
From: Don T Lewis
Date: 21-Apr-23

Don T Lewis's embedded Photo



I’ve fixed a few limb twists over the years with help from leather wallers. I have a pretty good twist in the upper limb of my 1955 Grizzly Static. I have it clamped to my kitchen table so I can have a beer and keep an eye on it. The weight hanging from the limb tip is 7 1/2 lbs. and it’s got it back to where it should be. Should I use a hair dryer in low heat too? Or maybe some hot water in a wash cloth? Anyone ever get the twist out of a static Bear?

From: fdp
Date: 21-Apr-23




I personally wouldn't use heat of any kind on those old glue joints, although I'm sure some will disagree.

See if it stays straight, if not twist it a little past where it need to be to allow for "spring back".

From: Don T Lewis
Date: 21-Apr-23




Thanks Frank. My first thought was to use no heat at all. Like you see in the picture. I can always twist the limb a little more past where it should be to allow for spring back by hand too. The weight will make it easier to do I think. I figured do a little at a time. No rush. I have plenty of beer;)

From: Don T Lewis
Date: 21-Apr-23




Notice I have a pillow under that weight. Because ole Murphy will get you everytime. Better safe then sorry. I only do this kinda stuff when the wife’s not home. Because she would give me that look. If she saw what I was doing on our kitchen table. You guys know that look! You know! What are you crazy kinda look! Oh maybe you guys never saw that one. Anyhow want to get that twist out. Any ideas welcome gents.

From: Saphead Compton's Traditional Bowhunters
Date: 21-Apr-23




Which side of a recurved limb with a twist would you sand down to straighten the limb? Im curious I think it is the side the limb pulls to but to scared to try it.

I would heat that bow a little. Steve Smith "BearBowman" did it all the time to old bear bows.

From: fdp
Date: 21-Apr-23




"You guys know that look!".....yeahhh, yeah I do. Got it this morning in fact. :)

From: George D. Stout
Date: 21-Apr-23




Most of those old bows are not a fragile as many think they are. I've used hot tap water and a hair dryer too. Many times, if not most times though, you don't need any heat, you just twist them back the other way till they set.

From: Jeff Durnell
Date: 21-Apr-23




If it's back to where it should be after the weight is removed, it might be ok. I'd shoot it and keep an eye on it. If it doesn't stay, and you're comfortable doing so, use heat next time. I use heat every time to ensure it stays.

When I make heat corrections to finished bows, I often hang the same amount of weight as you did, a gallon jug full of water, from the tip, then measure from the tip to the floor. I then heat the appropriate portion of the limb with a heat gun from a an effective, safe distance until the limb tip moves toward the floor the needed amount... the amount of movement needed to align the limb, plus a wee bit for spring back, and leave it until it cools.

From: 2 bears
Date: 21-Apr-23




I second what fdp say. Over twist several times when you get it straight leave strung a few hours to help set it. Heat only as a last resort. >>>----> Ken

From: Don T Lewis
Date: 21-Apr-23

Don T Lewis's embedded Photo



Thanks for the advice everyone. Going to have to work at this one some more.

From: Don T Lewis
Date: 21-Apr-23

Don T Lewis's embedded Photo



Thanks for the advice everyone. Going to have to work at this one some more.

From: Don T Lewis
Date: 21-Apr-23

Don T Lewis's embedded Photo



Thanks for the advice everyone. Going to have to work at this one some more.

From: EZ Archer
Date: 21-Apr-23




I’ve had good outcomes by wrapping the twisted limb in a heating pad set on high for about 15 minutes at a time and twisting it using gloves

From: Oly
Date: 22-Apr-23




Don, looks to me like you need to keep working at it… at least until you’ve finished off those beers… or until you get that look, in which case you need to decide if the look was from using kitchen table as your bow jig or the empty case of bottles scattered throughout the kitchen… good luck my fiend!

From: GUTPILEPA
Date: 22-Apr-23




Hey Don I got a case of Yuengling Lager I’ll be up to help

From: selstickbow
Date: 22-Apr-23




yeh THE LOOK, the one with the raised eyebrows & the hairy eyeball. I know it well.

From: selstickbow
Date: 22-Apr-23




I've straightened a few real minor twists with hot water and gloved hand pressure before. I like what you're doing DON with the weight, I like JEFF's measured approach as well.

From: Mahigunn
Date: 22-Apr-23




I once spent two years gently massaging the twist out of a 1960 Kodiak. No heat. No weight. No clamp. Guessing it took a lot longer to get the twist.

From: Don T Lewis
Date: 22-Apr-23




Ha! I figured most of you guys would know what I was talking about! One Time I was making home made beer in the kitchen And I was pouring wart into a 5 gallon glass carboy and I spilt a little under kitchen cart. So after I pitched the yeast I moved the cart to clean up all the wart liquid I spilled under the cart. Because that stuff is real sticky. So after I cleaned everything up. And put the cart back exactly where it was. And just in time. I heard my wife pulling in our driveway. As soon as she popped her head in the door! She gave me that look! You guys know that look. But I probably get it more often then most. Well anyhow as soon as she popped her head in the door she gave me that look straight at me and said. Who moved my cart!!! I said you have to be kidding me! I put the cart exactly back where it was! So I thought any way. We’ll long story short. I fessed up about the beer I spilt under the cart. My wife has one heck of an eye! I couldn’t of been off more the half inch! I’m glad I’m not the only one that gets that look! Thanks fellas!;)

From: zog
Date: 26-May-23

zog's embedded Photo



Leatherwall saved my bow - thanks! I did not know this could be done. I had thought my bow was headed for the dump, but before trashing it I did a keyword search for "bow twist" and found two good threads.

I left it this way with 5 lbs overnight and it's nearly there. I reduced the weight to 2 lbs and will leave it today.

From: Patrick
Date: 26-May-23




I usually jut twist them the opposite direction by hand while srung but if i do it this way I wrap the area to be clamped in something so that the pressure of the clamp doesn't mark the bow itself. I always let quite a bit more overhang to increase the lever action along the twisted limb. This usually works and if not, I don't apply direct heat of any kind: I grap a piece of cloth or towel and jerk the limb up and down vigorously heating it up just a bit with the friction generated. I'm sorry but there's no way to say this that doesn't sound wierd and frankly I think it's very clear so, jerk that limb!





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