cracked limb from bowtech
 

a couple of weeks ago i noticed that my limb on my bowtech pro 38, 2003 model, was starting to splinter. it started to splinter on one of the sides of the limb. so i took it over to my local bowtech dealer and he ordered me new limbs. i shot my bow in the mean time cause it was only superficial damage on the limb. i dropped off my bow then picked it up and on the brand new limbs from bowtech the one was cracked all the way through by where the axle goes in. i am very disappointed with bowtech in sending me a set of limbs like that. now i am without a bow to shoot for probably around 3 weeks. i'm just venting guys, has anyone else had this problem. i'm just not happy with them sending me cracked limbs, other than that dealing with them has been good. i just hope the quality of their product that they send to me will be top notch.

kevin

RE: cracked limb from bowtech
 

Sorry to hear about your bad luck. Seems like there's been a few recent cases of cracked limbs. I'm sure Bowtech will get ya taken care of.

I'm suprised your dealer didn't catch the cracked limbs before he gave the bow to you. That could have been dangerous. [&:]

RE: cracked limb from bowtech
 

yeah i know, i had my fiance pick up the bow for me so she doesn't know what she is looking for. my dealer said he worked on the bow from the opposite side of the crack. yeah ok, thanks for looking over my bow before giving it back. i'm not paying for him putting my limbs on and another set of limb savers. i just hope the next set have nothing wrong with them.

kevin

RE: cracked limb from bowtech
 

I had one on my Patriot dually. I was a small crack. but I was not taking any chances. Bowtech was great. Replaced the limbs no questions asked, and fast too. Great service after the sale is my idea of a good company. Lifetime warranty and they back it up.

RE: cracked limb from bowtech
 

When is the "Bowtech has great service" brainwashing going to fade so that reality kicks in? It is becoming apparent that Bowtech is having some quality control problems; maybe design and material problems. Are Bowtech bows and Bowtech's service so superior, that the cost, down time, ruined hunting, risk of very serious and permanent injury is secondary?

I believe the design of many of today's "hot" bows has exceeded the limits of physics. It appears that Bowtech is not the only bow that is blowing up more than compounds ever did in the past. As is the norm, it is going to take someone being gravely injured or killed before "great service" is no longer a material consideration.

RE: cracked limb from bowtech
 

c; It must just bug the shi* out of ya that so many people shoot Bowtechs. If ya don't mind me asking pal, just what kind of bow do you shoot?

RE: cracked limb from bowtech
 

c903, why not give up the rant. We all know. If it's post WWII, you have no use for it.
nub, I don't think he shoots a bow. It might blow up and injure him. [:@][&:]:D
It is possible the shop damaged the limb. How conscientious is someone that missed the crack? I'd say it's easier to crack the limb installing the axle, than drilling it.

RE: cracked limb from bowtech
 

What kind of poundage and how light are the arrows being shot? Any bow can crack a limb, and like any product that is manufactured......once in a great while a defective product slips past quality control. In my opinion the need for speed has increased the risk to many archers.

RE: cracked limb from bowtech
 

That type of comment has previously been made and only indicates that a person's inexperience and ignorance has limited his or her ability stay on the subject or is a loyal party member.

If you are a zealot when it comes to a particular brand of bow, so be it. Just do not deceive yourself into believing that everyone burns incense for a particular bow or any other piece of gear. Discriminating shooters want to know the facts and hear or read thought-provoking comments.

Being I don't own a bow manufacturing company and do not own any stock in any bow manufacturing company, why would I give damn what brand of bow someone uses and maybe prays to every night?

RE: cracked limb from bowtech
 

c903, all of your comments re: BowTech have also been made previously. I hate to assume but, your ignorance and inexperience may very well transcend mine. I can't recall you posting on other threads, where a problem was encountered, and spewing forth the "must be defective design" doctrine. And I guess you are not willing to admit that BowTech does a very good job of taking care of customer's problems. What few there are. Maybe a little incense would do YOU some good. :eek: :D
c903:
The first word in your sentence is the key.

RE: cracked limb from bowtech
 

I am shooting 398 grain Gold Tips. The bow is currently set at 65 lbs with a 30 inch draw. Well over the 5 grain per pound. Hell the crack might be my fault, I may of hit it on something. I dont know how it got there I just noticed it. Like I said BowTech replaced the limbs no questiones asked. With hunting season coming up I was concerned about down time. They shipped everything to my dealer fast. Will definatly buy another when the time comes.

RE: cracked limb from bowtech
 

That's one thing that I personally like about their warranty. No questions asked. You could have run that limb over with a truck.

RE: cracked limb from bowtech
 

I have to agree that BowTech is number #1 and when notified of a problem act very fast on it . I wouldn't be too upset because it will be taken care of .

nubo

RE: cracked limb from bowtech
 

kjclark7: I have the a Patriot , 02 I think, but anyhow before I had it fully tuned I split a limb possibly my fault being their was a very small chip in the limb. no problems replacing it from Bowtech.I shot the hell out of it all summer in league and 2 weeks ago after speed testing my bow my local dealer noticed the limb had a small splinter. This make's it the second set of limbs although the problem is I have been waiting 2 weeks for the replacements and leave for Montana in 2 more so I am starting to get worried. I don't need this splinter worry while I am in the mountains...........

I love the bow but am having serious doubts as to the quality. I'm shooting 70# ,Carbon arrows with a total wieght of 423gr. @ 291fps

RE: cracked limb from bowtech
 

pdq 5oh

I do not believe I said, "must be defective design." If I did, I would concede that the term "must" would be a bit premature. I believe I qualified by saying "might be, possibly, indicates, appears, I believe, etc."

Just because you might be chiefly persuaded by "great service," don’t assume that all shooters, or to be shooters, lay aside their suspicions and concerns regarding durability and reliability just because the manufacturer provides great and expedient service. With some people, just a few incidents of malfunctions or defective components is enough to turn them away. It is for me. I would rather not know how good the service in response to a major malfunction.

I have no doubt that Bowtech makes a good bow; but I personally have read of just enough incidents where a limb has cracked, sometimes more than once on the same riser, that I would not purchase a Bowtech bow until Bowtech has come forth and made it clear that 1) Bowtech has confirmed beyond reasonable doubt that the limb failures were caused by something that Bowtech warned against and/or had no direct control over, or 2) Bowtech has determined that the cause(s) of limb failures has been traced to something that Bowtech has full control over and that the problem has been fixed.

RE: cracked limb from bowtech
 

c903, so you've read a few threads on here re: cracked limbs. Go to archerytalk and search another well known bow manufacturer. Many instances there. Many more in fact. And the resulting service was many times, less than satisfactory. I can understand your position. But not your agenda.

RE: cracked limb from bowtech
 

I am aware of other bow manufacturers having certain problems that I consider being major. However, just because their (others) service is not as great as Bowtech's, does not mean that a person should overlook the problems that have been occurring with Bowtech bow limbs, no matter how much less the number of incidents…. at this time.

Yes! I do have an agenda. My agenda is to assist in showing as many sides of a story as might exist and to provoke thought. Not every bowhunter cares about being a member of a clique, no matter the cost. I am also confident that although good service is a consideration, many bowhunters would prefer to spend mega bucks for something that is not going to blow up in their face and ruin their day, literally.

Regardless of brand or type, If a bow that I had spent hundreds of dollars for, spent a few hundred more for accessories, and spent a few weeks shooting and tuning, had a major malfunction just several weeks before the season; be damned the great service, I would be one PO'd person. If the bow had a major malfunction during the season, I would create new profanity that would offend the devil. I am not one that just throws a setup together and throws a few shafts at a target and heads for the field. My season would be ruined.

Actually, I am directing what I have to say to those that take the time and expend the effort to cut their losses; beware, this might be one those times. There appears not to be any clear evidence and explanation why some of Bowtech's limbs are failing.

I am curious; regardless of manufacturer, how many limbs must fail before concern becomes legitimate and primary, and service becomes the lesser concern?

RE: cracked limb from bowtech
 

c; I think your out to provoke a little more than just thought. How do you manage to over come your paranoia to even shoot a bow? I'm sure, the still un-named brand you shoot, has had its fair share of problems. Has that manufacturer come out and said "oops we fu**** up"!

Your "season would be ruined"? Are you that unprepared for the unexpected? Or do you have a second dinosaur in your closet?

RE: cracked limb from bowtech
 

nub:

I have a primary compound and 2 backup compounds. I have a primary recurve and 2 back up recurves. And......?

Here is one for you that may be hard to swallow:

I have always taken great effort to cut my losses as not to ruin my seasons. In 40 years of bowhunting and having owned several brands and types of bows....and gear, I have never had the first major malfunction. In fact, I have had very few minor problems that could not be corrected easily and in short time. Of all the years of I have been in the field, and in some very rough terrain and weather, I have never had the first malfunction during any season, and the seasons (deer) have generally been for 3 to 3-1/2 months.

I don't attribute my trouble-free experience to luck or some exceptional skill. I just cut my losses by not chancing that just a few known problems with bowhunting products was remote and just a few.

Re: "Or do you have a second dinosaur in your closet?"

Stay on subject. Don't let my TIG intimidate or mislead you. ;)

RE: cracked limb from bowtech
 

C903... how about naming a bow company that HAS NOT had occasional issues. That's what warranties are for..

You could buy a Toyota due to their great reliability.. and have one fail in 20k miles.. But who's to say that it was Toyota's fault? You might have drove through high water.. you might not have changed the oil (ever).. ect... But you'd prolly still be on here telling us and everyone that listens how your Toyota failed in 20k mile...

But you don't tell us that you now drive a Chevy.. and you have 3 back up chevys.. just so that you're prepared in case one breaks down.. which they are known to do quite often...

RE: cracked limb from bowtech
 

I, personally, feel, shooting too light of an arrow is still, and always will be, the main reason for limb failure of any kind.
I never shoot under 6 grains per lb of draw weight on my Compounds or less than 9 grains on my Recurves.
I currently shoot 7 grains per lb on my Bowman and Merlin bows and over 10 grains on my recurves.
Even IBO legal 5 grains per pound is asking for trouble, eventually!
JMO ;)
Never had a limb fail in over 10 years of shooting and don't expect to shooting the "heavier" arrows!


Sag.

RE: cracked limb from bowtech
 

I believe the term; "occasional" is the qualifier. I have never had a major malfunction with any of the bows I have owned and now own. Therefore, I will have to leave it other bow owners of other various brands to tell about their experiences with breaking or cracking limbs.

As for the vehicle comparison; the comparison is impractical.

pdq 5oh:

Rather than send me insulting me email and indicating you will have the "last" word, you should leave out the private insults and post the comments about my personal agenda, my not being "all over" other companies, and that the shop that handle the replacing of 4 sets of limbs was not capable. Those points are relevant to the discussion.

RE: cracked limb from bowtech
 

Please don't take it the wrong way guys but could ya'll please air your dirty laundry elsewhere? Or at least agree to disagree and move on.

RE: cracked limb from bowtech
 

c903, I was merely attempting to finish the "discussion" re: my personal thoughts on you, privately. I was in no way insulting. If you like, paste my PM here as I can't retrieve it from the sent box. You've mentioned most of my points above. My stating that I would end it here (in PM) was to say, in PM. I feel this "discussion" is ended. Now have the last word.

RE: cracked limb from bowtech
 

wow more arguing about bows a shot a bowtech earlier this year and i shoot it alot without any problems wish a didnt get rid of it:( i think all bow companys have had a few limb problems!!! bowtech is a very good bow..

RE: cracked limb from bowtech
 

oniedaeagle:

Just a few that feel their bow has been dissed want to argue about bows.

The crux of the discussion is; for how long do you ignore what may be a deficiency in quality control (manufacturing, material, design, etc,) for the sake of excellent service, before you start being suspicious of the product and start asking questions?

RE: cracked limb from bowtech
 

Wow, talk about opening a can of worms:D. The Bowtech crowd sure is a sensitive one.

I too have noticed a few more than normal post about Bowtech limbs. I don't know what is going on there, but hopefully they'll get it corrected in short order. By word of mouth their customer service is great and you shouldn't have any problems getting it taken care of.

Gentleman, lets keep this board clean. Its alright to disagree, but arguing and disrespecting others doesn't do anyone any good. We're all here to learn and hear of others experiences. All this does is clog up a post with meaningless, useless crap that I have to dig through to get to the post that relate to the original post.

RE: cracked limb from bowtech
 

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I though Bowtech got their limbs from an outside vendor used by several other companies. If that is the case, a "bad batch" of limbs can be sold to any of several manufacturers, and flaws in those limbs may not begin to show up until after they are in the hands of many customers, after many shots.

All companies are subject to such problems. It is how the company handles the problems that sets them apart.

Bowtech has a history of handling such problems (if one indeed exists), quite well; their customer service is second to none.

RE: cracked limb from bowtech
 

In a general sense (not neccessarily this particular issue) I think the biggest problem is press issues...most presses are not designed for the extreme parallel limbs...and most shops I go to do not have a proper press..they are presses that are a few to several years old.....you should back the limbs out in those situations as much as possible. Apple and some other folks are starting to build presses that are designed specifically for the parallel limb bows..My shop bought a new apple press last year and modified it's existing press to handle the Mathews and BowTechs w/ parallel limbs.

As for the BowTech limbs...I've had a dozen without any problems myself and I've pounded the $hit out of them..most at 5 grains per pound or darn close. But as Vic said, the material is from Gordon, and once in awhile Gordon makes a bad run of glass...Remember the Hoyt Redline & Powerflex limbs? Blew up left and right. Gave Hoyt a bad name for a couple years, but the problem was with a huge shipment of Glass they got from Gordon. If people are going through multiple sets of limbs, either the shop/customer is doing something stupid or there is a problem somewhere else in the bow..rockers, pockets, twisted riser, etc.

Limb failures are a fairly common thing from all manufacturers, and the more bows they sell, the better your chances of hearing about them simply due to the law of averages. If I had to base my bow buying decision on choosing a company who I've never seen a limb failure from, I'd be shooting a rifle :D

RE: cracked limb from bowtech
 

AKAsharky - that is not a crack - that is a scratch/gouge - big difference.

Kj - 90% of all splintering I have seen on all bows is due to a nick/ or gouge on the edge that then splits.

Both of these seem like the limb was hit or banged by the archer.

RE: cracked limb from bowtech
 

ok, i did not mean for bowtech bashing to begin. i was just saying i was not happy with getting a new set of limbs from bowtech already cracked. i know the first problem was from me. one of my stands is above a lot of rocks and lowering my bow down it rubs on and hits the rocks causeing little nics. well one of those nics splintered, i'm not saying it was bowtechs fault...it was mine, but i sent away for new limbs. which i then got cracked ones back and my dealer that i went to never saw it. just clearing things up. i love my bow and i'm happy with bowtech as a whole. everyone makes mistakes and i just happen to get a bad limb from them. ok. i'll post when i get my bow back.

kevin

RE: cracked limb from bowtech
 

Well I got my bow back now and all seems well. I just don't like the fact of haveing to be real careful in the bush not to nick a limb or something. But I guess It's like owning a Italian sports car... :):) :D I shoot to well with it to switch now.

RE: cracked limb from bowtech
 

well to my surprise i got a call from my bowtech dealer saying my bow was done tonite. it was only 4 days ago that i brought my bow to him and now i have it back and it seems to be shooting fine. only shot it 10 yards so far, thats all i have in my basement. the limbs look fine and i am very happy with the turnaround time from bowtech. my dealer said it must have been cracked before the camo got put on the limbs cause when he took out the axle the crack got almost unnoticeable but you could still see it. well one set of bad limbs got by bowtechs quality control, and of course i got them. i'm very happy i got a bowtech bow last year, can't beat their warrenties and their great bows.

kevin

RE: cracked limb from bowtech
 

I am a happy owner again, after my knew limbs installed my local proshop started from scratch and set up my bow again, due to some severe lack of confidence on my part. I am shooting better now than ever , even out to 50 yards :):)