Compound bows are an important tool in the bow hunter and archer’s arsenal of weapons, and the procedure of how to build a compound bow is greatly varied between manufacturers. Each style of bow and its construction are unique, which is why there can be large differences between two crafted bows of the same type. Producing compound bows requires a combination of hand craftsmanship, as well as machine engineering, to create the precision components that make up a complete bow.
Table of Contents
Making the Riser
The riser is the center of the bow, and it is where all the components of the bow come together and acts to house the axel system, which is connected to the limbs. There are several different materials that can be used for the riser, ranging from aluminum to a hybrid combination of composites and wood. The materials used for the riser must be able to withstand quick and repeated motions that produce vibrations, as well as be able to handle the tension of the bowstring. Once the material for the riser is determined, it is typically machined to the desired specifications. This includes drilling holes for the mountings, such as the axle and the limb pockets.
Building the Limbs
The next step is to build the limbs, which are typically made of a composite material, such as carbon fiber. They are constructed by layering strips of composite material in a sandwich-like fashion and then enclosed within an outer layer of material, such as fiberglass, that provides extra support and strength. The strips are placed between two mold halves and then pressed so that it takes the desired shape. As with the riser, the limb design and material must be able to handle the vibration produced by the bow and the tension caused by the bowstring.
Attaching the Limbs to the Riser
Once the riser and limbs are made, they must be joined together. To do this, the limbs are attached to the axle of the riser with a special mounting system that uses two bolts to secure the limbs at the axle points. To ensure a tight connection, each bolt is usually counter sunk slightly into the limb so that it fits flush against the surface.
Adding the Cable System
The cables and cams are then attached to the riser and limbs. This is where the engineering of modern compound bows come in, as this system is responsible for adding the “energy storage” to the bow. The system is typically made up of a pulley system and cables, which are connected to the ends of the limbs, and the pressure from the bowstring is transferred to the limb tips in order to give the bow some stored energy. The cable system also helps control the speed of the bow, allowing for increased accuracy and consistency.
Adding the Bowstring
The last step in the building process is to add the bowstring. The bowstring is made from either a synthetic material such as dacron, or natural material such as hemp. The bowstring is typically threaded through the cables and cams, and then tied off at each end. Once this is done, the bow is ready for testing and tuning.
Compound bows are an impressive piece of engineering and craftsmanship. To create a quality compound bow, the manufacturer must pay close attention to the different components and how they work together. This includes the riser, the limbs and the cable system, all of which must be working in harmony to provide the archer or bow hunter with the best possible performance and accuracy. With the right combination of materials and design, a quality compound bow can be created that will provide years of reliable service.
Producing and distributing compound bows is an important part of the bow hunting and archery community, and bow makers of all types must continue to stay on top of the latest developments in design and technology. By keeping up with these advances, they can produce top-quality bows that will give their customers the best possible shooting experience.
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Last update 2021-01-05. Price and product availability may change.