Tuning is not my favorite thing. I do not get my "jollies" cutting carbon and wood in increments that shouldn't even exist! Anybody who's made one cut too many can relate. There's alot of advice out there, regardless of method, that says work on nock set height first, then spine. Save your forehead and your brick wall! After years of damage to both, my advice is know your nock height, start there. Don't second guess it until you've got spine perfect. Mine is 5/8ths". After countless forays off the beaten path, I seem to always return there to roost. This has held true across new bows, new limbs, recurves and long bows. I've seen 5-6" of vertical stringing of fletched vs. bare shafts disappear when spine came in line. Why? I'm guessing that paradox occurs along the vertical plane at the shelf, just as it does along the horizontal. Sounds good, it's my excuse, and I'm sticking to it. There, I've vented, I feel better. I've imparted wisdom upon the trad world that may comfort future generations. Grasshopper, go forth, prosper, and put the Prozac back in the medicine cabinet!
Since you mentioned both carbon and wood shafting, I have to mention, if you nock below the nock point. Your nocking point will be different with different diameter shafts!!
And I have to disagree with you about there being a vertical paradox, high speed pictures have proven there is only a horizontal paradox.
Bob
Arrows paradox in all directions. Paradox is NOT a side to side motion, it's a vibration or "noodling" if you will. Any wagging up/down or side to side is the result of poor tuning, not paradox....O.L. Some good videos:
http://talonoptix.com/Archery.html
Great link O.L.
Aw, never mind. I just spent the better part of an afternoon and had to move my nock up to the previously unheard of height of 7/8ths inch. Here's a hot tip. When you're in tuning mode your brain is not your friend, you should be immediately suspicious of anything it tells you! Your brain is your friend when you shoot your personal best on the 3-d range. Why? It basks in the glory and had nothing to do with the accomplishment. Your brain is a liability. When you call on it to actually perform something useful, like diagnosing poor arrow flight, it will tell logical stuff because it knows nothing about such mysterious things. It will tell you one or more of the following:
-These arrows have to be close because they fly perfectly out of your other bow of the same poundage.
-These limbs are faster, just check the posts and your bank account, stupid! If anything, you will have to shorten or decrease point weight.
-Your bare shafts are grouping below fletched, so you should lower nock point.
Naturally, all of these proved false. Your brain does not understand the complexities of center shot risers and I rest my case.
Aromakr, I agree on the diameter point, but I gave up on woodies years ago so I could experience a higher degree of frustration!
P.S. Do not taunt your brain, however. It will take exception and repond by:
-Causing your off eye to become dominant at the moment of release,
-Drop your bow arm,
-Hold your head at less of an angle and change your cant...
"ALL SO YOU CAN GET A BETTER LOOK AT HOW THE ARROW IS FLYING"!
Now I feel better.
Editorial comments may be sent to olddogrib, c/o NC Bowhunters Nervous Hospital