Trad Gang
Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: Shooter#21 on January 20, 2016, 01:24:00 AM
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I'm considering having a garage built in the backyard which actually is just a metal shelter with sides all around on a footer/slab. I plan on storing my bow arrows, fletching jig and other accessories there but I am concerned about proper bow storage and the effect of temperatures on my bows. I could store them inside the house of course, but just want feedback from the trad gang. I have hunted in cold temps before but not sure of temps effect on bows over time. Strung or unstrung etc. I live in middle Georgia and the temp tonight outside is now in the upper 20s. Of course it gets up around 100 or so in the hot summer here too which is a big swing. Thanks for any ideas
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The temps will not bother your bow as long as its stored unstrung. If you get worried, throw an ac unit in there just enough to take the edge off.
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I am no bowyer so this is speculative, but---
I once bought a beautiful self bow from a great guy, who made gorgeous bows.
Then he sent me via email a 17 page document on the "Care and feeding" of his bows... controlled humidity, temperature, how to string, rest, pull 1/4, 1/2, then 3/4 and then finally shoot it but wipe cheesecloth down the backside to check for splinters, etc, etc... Unstring ever few hours.
I got so paranoid, I sold it and have had nothing but glass backed bows since... I cannot fuss that much with a tool... I keep my tools rust free and such, but I do NOT coddle them.
He was likely the exception, but he had good point, just waaaay over the top for me.
Id say that you need to know what type bows you have, but modern composite bows would do well under Charlie's suggestion, I'd think! I don't fuss with mine...
Good luck!
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Heat = dry. Even glass bows are effected by extra dry conditions. I like to keep all mine, self bows or not, in the house or basement. Both are regulated and around 65-72 all years.
Doc, that would be annoying. They aren't that sensitive by any stretch. If they were I sure wouldn't trust my hunts to them. But the "rules" have to cover everybody, even fella's with zero common sense. So you get 2 pages of directions when you need "0" pages :)
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Here in Az. We have heat issues. I have a workroom that was orginally no A/C. I had a vent put in and keep the room same as rest of house. We also have a "dry" heat. Have heard but can not prove the dryness is hard on the exotic woods used in bow risers. My only question is how long before the bows show effects of the environment? At 70years old it maybe a mute point.
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I live in AZ as well. I don't keep my bows in the truck in the summer, I keep them in the house most the time. My garage will heat up over 127 degrees. So I figure it's best to avoid that for long periods. Now I shoot in the summer outdoors but if its to hot for me I think it's to hot for my bows.
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I wouldn't store my bows in a tin shed with no heat or AC.Now if you plan on insulating it and controling the extreme temp changes, that's a different story... Wood moves when its subjected to different environments. With different the levels of moisture content, temps can have an effect on wood too.It swells with higher humidity, and shrinks with dry heat
It depends on where you live. In drier climates like AZ, once the bow has accumulated to its environment. its not going to move much or be effected by the cold much either. But i still wouldn't recommend a tin shed unless its insulated and temperture controled.....
by the same token if you live in a high humidity environment where it rains a lot, your bow is going to soak up moisture from the air. All my wood in the shop stays at about 12% MC level in the winter & drops to 10% in the summer if its not stored in an environment controlled room.
i have to be very careful to get my moisture content in the wood down low before sending bows to dry climates.
I've seen guys ruin bows by hanging them in a basement up in the ceiling joist in the same room as their furnace....cooked all the moisture right out of the wood....
If you use common sense and store them in a cool dry environment or the same environment you are comfortable in. you'll be fine..... no attics, uninsulated garages, or in the same room as a furnace or water heater....