Long read, I apologize ahead of time.

It seems the more I think I've learned about archery, the quicker I'm brought back to reality of just how stupid I can be. However, I did learn some things out of my latest mishap.

As some of you know (those who read the Technical forum anyways), back in June, I noticed what I thought to be a cam lean issue on my 101st. My cable stops were nicking the edges of my cables right before reaching full draw. This was leaving a mild impression on the cables from where it was hitting. This was of some concern for me, since I was worried the cable serving would eventually wear through, and then onto the cable itself. I tried taking it to the dealer, I talked to Bowtech directly (who were very helpful and suggested new limbs), and I ended up doing nothing (that was my first idiotic moment in this mess). My local proshop didn't think this was much of an issue, and as such I left it alone.

Fast forward to a few weeks ago, and I did another idiotic thing. I actually threw an arrow (long story and you can read it somewhere in here on a post I made) and it hit my top limb, which gouged the limb and sliced off a layer of Invelvet. I was able to acquire a set of replacement limbs from Scott (Buckeye), and I proceeded to replace them this weekend. I purchased a Gritty Ultra Press from AT back in the spring, and so I pressed the bow, removed the cams and limbs, and went to press the bow back with the new limbs. I couldn't seem to get the limbs pressed enough to get the cams and strings/cables back in. This prompted me to post a picture of the press on here. At this point I was MAD. I was mad at Bowtech for causing this cam lean issue, now I was mad at Gritty's press because it "couldn't" press my bow far enough, and I was already blaming it for my issues. I posted this picture (feel free to pass judgement, I truly am an idiot):



I even made the comment, " Yeah, it's a serious flaw with this press...I may actually get rid of the press after this is all said and done." I was simply making excuses.


Upon seeing the picture, RJ, Matt, and Rob were all quick to point out that I had that bow in the press incorrectly, and pressing as such could result in serious damage to my bow[>:] Needless to say, when I finally got the limbs back on, my bottom cable stop was hitting the cable worse than before (in fact, when I drew back I could here an audible 'click').

So, in reality, when I wanted to blame Bowtech for the cam lean, and Gritty for making a "flawed," press, it was simply my own stupidity causing the issues with my bow. The "cam lean" I thought I was experiencing from the very beginning was probably due to my improperly pressing the bow (since I've had the bow in and out of the press since April when I got it), and I only magnified my limb problems, when I pressed it wrong again.

Rob made a point similar to this, but it's valid so I'll bring it up and expand. You often hear issues people are having with limb failures, cam lean, cable wear, etc, and who's the first person they blame? Yep, the manufacturer. How many of those people who have issues might actually have caused it themselves without realizing it? How many problems could have been caused by inexperienced or careless shops? Now, I don't certainly think manufacturers are perfect in the sense that they cannot produce an occasional flawed product, but maybe we as the consumers cause some of the problems (maybe even most?).

This isn't my attempt at defending Bowtech, because this holds true for all bow/archery equipment manufacturers. Archery is becoming more of a hobbiest activity with more and more people doing their own work. Could it be possible the issues you see posted about various bows are a direct result of improper installation/maintanance?

Needless to say, I've never really felt more stupid about archery tech than I did once I realized what I did. It really made me wonder if I'm really "getting" the tech side of things down. However, I wanted to take the opportunity to showcase issues I've had with my bow, that were a DIRECT result of my inexperience and own stupidity. I could have easily came on here and made a post to the tune of, "Bowtech's are junk...I've had cam lean, and people over on AT are complaining about cam lean, and I can't correct it because of this stupid binary cam system, etc, etc." However, I realized my issues with this bow are a direct result of my own doing.

Most of you probably won't make as obvious of a mistake as I did in terms of not putting the bow in the press correctly, but take a moment and consider what all has been done to the bow before passing judgement, or jumping to conclusions.

Just my 2cents, sorry for the long post.

Coming out and being honest says alot about you. What are your plansfor the bow now?

No need to apologize,yes, a long read but well worth it. There are so many inane posts made every hour that it is refreshing to read a well thought out, well written post that you can actually learn from. Thank you.

Thanks. Well, I took it back to a local shop here, and he made some adjustments including putting the "old" bottom limb back on. It's now much better, and the audible "click" is gone. I drew it back and the cable is barely being nicked by the cable stop. I BH tuned it tonight, and it took very little adjustment to get it dialed in out to 30yds, so for now, it's going to stay the way it is. When I get some free time (who knows when that will be), I might have Rob just look it over and see if he can identify any issues.

Thanks, Bruce. It's not easy for me to admit it sometimes, but I really realized how very little I've learned about the tech side of things, and I wonder if I'm not alone (although I probably am with putting the dang bow in the press incorrectly[&:])

Incredibly refreshing to read.

You don't know how many times we fix bows that we KNOW were impaired due to operator error; it's nice to see someone not only realize it, but put it in writing for others to see.

You can hunt in my camp anytime, bud.

Thanks, Greg. You might get tired of me asking you questions, though.[8D] I'm going to make sure I learn as much about a process as I can before I attempt it on my own. These aren't pieces of equipment where you can "fudge" things to get by.

How about a pic of the bow being pressed correctly? I wouldn't know where to begin with that press just because I've never used one or seen one used. I have a Bowmender. The instructional DVD that came with it was a lifesaver. Without the instructions I would have been lost.

Some how those razor topped fences around nuclear power plants make sense to me know.
I can see proper care of your long bow or recurve might be something an archer would want to know how to do.But disassembling one of the most high tech bows on the market today in you basement seems allot like in home dentistry of self taught minor surgery.
Ever heard ,Don't try this at home.[:-]
Does The term trained professional ring a bell?
I guess, maybe thats why they call them "pro shops."

Nice post.

The press issue is one of the reasons I don't have a new bow. It just seems more complicated with the parallel limbs and I am afraid that I would brake the dang thing and be outa bow for something as trivial as trying to put in a peep sight.[&:]

It doesn't have to be. Last night I stripped down my Alley, I made a new string, pressed it and put the string on with the nocks on the ends with shrink wrap, string leeches, served it, tied nock sets, put on a loop, checked all the specs, went out and had it driving tacks in no time.