Putting the (ebay) pieces together. Psyched!

JOE PA · 12-22-2002, 08:57 PM

I have been collecting some parts over the last year or so from ebay auctions. I finally got to put a bow together, and it is really something. It is not without a few problems, since the parts were not really meant to work together, but the effort has been worthwhile, and very much fun so far.<img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>

Riser - Golden Eagle Natural Series (Splitfire 2)

I think these are forged/machined risers, since it seems pretty dense.

Limbs - Alpine Freestyler 3D #5 split limbs

Cams - Oregon Black Knight cams

The bow is fast, of course, but I have no chronograph so I can't quantify that. I did ruin two Blackhawk Vapor arrows tonight though, as they completely penetrated through my bag target (OK, it is worn some) and impacted the poured concrete wall behind it (through 5 sheets of cardboard.

I have nothing on the string except a tied in nock. No limb savers either. The only thing to quiet this bow is an excellent Stealth stabilizer. The bow, IMO, is hunting quiet as is. I have never shot a bow this quiet without string and limb silencers. It is much quieter than either the MQ 1 or the Q2 XL that I had, though they were very quiet with string leeches, and had a bit less recoil than this bow.

It is currently set up at #65 @ 30" That (unfortunately) is with the limb bolts backed out a good bit (not too much). That is about the max for my two questionable shoulders, but those monster cams roll smoothly enough once you get them started. The brace is lower than I would like at 6 1/8, but it does not seem too difficult to shoot. Not sure about that yet, since I've only shot it at 15 yards.

So far, the bow reminds me most of my Darton Maverick, but with much less noise. I'll have to see what happens when I get some silencing stuff on it.

I know it isn't supposed to work like this, and I may either have to see about lighter limbs from Alpine, or get longer modules for my HCA Hatchet cams, which make about 10 # less draw weight, BUT, the fun I've had so far, and the way the bow works so far is worth far more than the $85 I paid (yes, that includes shipping) for all of this.

<img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>

Avoid the inevitable until it is absolutely unavoidable!

Edited by - PABowhntr on 12/23/2002 16:51:24

PABowhntr · 12-23-2002, 04:36 AM

Joe,

I received your email and I must admit that you put together one heck of a Frankenstein bow...

. Maybe some longer limbs might help in the brace height department...<img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>

Email me that pic when you get a chance and I will hook you up.

PABowhntr · 12-23-2002, 03:52 PM

Bump for the pic....and how did you guess the string/cables length?

JOE PA · 12-23-2002, 04:13 PM

Frank:

First of all, thank you very much for posting the picture. As you can see, the bow is still in "prototype" mode with the moleskin around the limb bases untrimmed.<img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>

You asked me how I arrived at this combination. I had the limbs first. I was always curious about the Natural Series riser. I got both for under $40. The cams were just there, and generated more interest, but I got them, hoping the draw length would be somewhere close. I knew they were modular, but also obsolete, so modules could be tough to get.

As far as the string and cables, well this is the second set, AND the string has about 50 twists in it!<img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>

The first set that gave me the brace height I was looking for also had a much higher draw weight. Then I tried the High Country Hatchet cams. Less draw wt. but only 28" draw with the "C" modules. Went back to the BK's, but with reduced prestress, and got things close enough to play a bit. I won't get a good string/cable set made until things are figured out better.

You know how some bows wow you with a first impression, then seem kind of underwhelming after more shooting? Well, I shot this bow as much as I could today what with the pre-holiday honeydo list and all. I really like this bow. ALOT!<img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>

The proof will be in more shooting at longer ranges. That's when I will know for sure. I did not expect this collection of parts to be anywhere near this cool, but hey, even a blind squirrel...<img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>

Thanks again for posting the pic, and for suggesting the name for the bow.<img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>

Avoid the inevitable until it is absolutely unavoidable!

bbahunter · 12-24-2002, 07:10 AM

Joe, that is a cool looking bow!
When are you going to chrono it?
I would be interested in knowing how fast it is!

Brian

JOE PA · 12-25-2002, 07:40 AM

Thanks, Brian:

I just about had the bow bare shaft tuned and was actually thinking about trying to hunt with it tomorrow. Then the mono serving went, and I decided to use some common sense (finally), and wait for more testing until I have a good string/cable set, now that I know the length.

I am definitely going to keep the Black Knight cams on this bow. Absolutely awesome cams, IMO. They store a lot of energy for sure, but don't really seem that harsh to me. The valley is short with a pretty good wall, but it does not have that "don't you dare creep 1/4" feel" like the HCA MX 1 cam or the Q2 XL that I had which was 1" too long for me.

I did put a minimal set of catwhiskers on the string before my tuning attempts. They took away the small trace of vibration that was present. Still amazed by the lack of noise and recoil. I'll post an update when I get things together better.

Avoid the inevitable until it is absolutely unavoidable!