my 69# recurve limbs have just developed cracks in the glass on the back. they originate from under the limb caps. they run toward the limb tip. on the bottom limb there are 2 cracks and the beginning of one on the top limb. i'm thinking that it has somthing to do with the hole as all 3 cracks are the same distance from the edge of the hole. i'm pretty sure i haven't over tightened the bolts. my 54# limbs are fine and i tighten them to the same tension.
what may have caused this? i'm emailing bob lee shortly.
(http://i530.photobucket.com/albums/dd349/ozyclint/DSCF1664.jpg)
(http://i530.photobucket.com/albums/dd349/ozyclint/DSCF1665.jpg)
I had 2-sets of 56lb. limbs do the same.Both were under warrenty and Rob replaced them.I actually heard the secon set crack when I drew back and I had a Lee before these and knew to not tighten too much.The bow was an elite with 3-matching sets of limbs 2-recurve and 1-longbow.I also have another riser and mismatched limbs 49recurve/54recurve/49longbow all black no problem.I have heard of others with the same problem.Personally I think it is heavy limbs with clear glass that cracks but my guess only, I am not a bowyer.Kip
i'm glad they weren't skined. you wouldn't know about them till it was to late....... :scared:
also the limb caps have always been separated from the glass along the front edge. i emailed them about that a while ago and they also said that the heavy bows do that.
i couldn't decide which limbs to use for a bear this spring. i guess i'm using 54#
I've had a bow that has similar cracks as those for 10 years...they don't hurt a thing on the bow at all. As long as you monitor them and they don't start traveling, I wouldn't hesitate to keep using those limbs of yours.....
well they turned up in one day. i've emailed bob lee with pics so i'd better not shoot them till they get back to me. they are under warranty so why be content with a new bow that has cracks?
The 54# limbs will be great for bear. You don't need a big bow for them. Be ready for great action at close range. Most trad bear hunts are at less then 10 yds.
Mike
wingnut you made my day. i'd shoot a bear at 3m if i could get that close. i can't wait.
My Bob Lee Signature did the same thing and a couple weeks later the limb gave out. I bought it used, so I didn't have a warranty. Bummer
Mine did the same thing. The limb bolt pads are separating from the riser. This is the second BL of mine to do this.
Don't worry Aussie - you won't have a problem. My new B/L Elite that I ordered from them late last year came with some clouding under the clear glass.
A less pedantice fellow would have swallowed the bitter pill and taken his medicine like a man - hoewever I thought it was unacceptable for a 900 dollar bow.
I emailed Sandy and within three weeks I had a brand new replacement bow in my hand. They even trusted me to keep using the old one and post it off to them after the newby arrived. Does not get any better than that for customer service.
So don't worry mate - B/L will do the right thing by you. Sutto
those cracks are from over tightening some limbs will do it easyer than others, seems the heavyer the more frequent, i have a set that when strung the cracks grow, and another where they dont move, i shoot the ones that dont move, as for the others well they are just done, i traded for them so they are non returnable. im sure im the one that cracked them but i didnt think i tightened too much.
Don't want to start a forest fire here, but I've had a shooting partner have the same issue recently on one set of BL limbs, had them replaced, happened again, He's now waiting for a new bow. Drew back one day with the "new" limbs, BANG riser splits.
Man thats weird happening so many times. I'd like to know something...how far is the distance from limb bolt center to end of riser on this bow or others who have posted here? 2"?...3"?
I was thinking like Guru, it wouldnt be a problem seeing as though it's a non-working component of the limb, but I've read otherwise. It makes me think the limb is getting some flex over the end of the riser. Can you see daylight under the limb pad?...also at full draw have someone take a look for you with a bright light in the background.
2"-3" no way. about 3/4". it's got a rubber gasket also so the limb doesn't ride hard up on the riser. i guess if that part of the limb is working it could squash the rubber some before it came in contact with the riser.
I believe it is pure limb movement over the end of the riser. I promise I'm not over-tightening the limb bolts. Both of my bows did this whem they were new.I really need to send mine back before the year is up on it.
ttt id like to see some more on this one, deeply interested
I have had no problems at all with mine and really like the bow. 62" @ 48# @ 28"
bob lee are replacing the limbs for me. with the new signiture limbs too. as the cracked limbs are a discontinued model.
bob lee =great service. :notworthy: :notworthy: :notworthy:
ozy What did he say as far as a problem or how to avoid this in the future and it is not overtighting in my case and I am sure others.Just would like to see what he thinks feels it is.Kip
he hasn't said what might have caused it. he might know when he gets them and can look for himself.
had to send the old limbs and the riser, so he could fit the new limbs.
so now i'm without a bow for a few weeks. :( :(
just as spring is coming and 3d shoots kick of. oh well better than in hunting season!
I've seen this problem on many bows since the 1980's. As I understand it, the problem is caused by the wood core being too dry , under say 8% moisture content. The limb core then absorbs moisture through the bolt or index pin holes , the wood core expands and causes the glass to buckle and and crack. This is most times cosmetic and poses no shooting problems ( as guru alluded to), however if it is an expensive Bow i believe the bowyer should replace the limbs , Kudos to Bob Lee for doing the right thing!
This is probably the best reason for a Bowyer to go to a synthetic core like Syntactic foam!! JMHO.
I have had several Bob Lee limbs crack like that. All were black or brown glass Hunter model limbs, two were 64 lbs, and one was 59 lbs. All were out of warranty, so I just keep shooting the limbs. When I talked with Rob, he said it shouldn't hurt the limbs so long as the crack does not delaminate or get out past the fadeout wedge. He also said it was from overtightning the limb bolts, but I know for a fact I did not overtighten one set and it cracked too.
Seems like alot of this happening? Hmmm
Okay..i read the linked thread and fwiw?..my $.02?...
i don't know if Bob Lee Archery makes 300 bows year or 3,000 bows a year but i know this...there was less than a handful of complaints in that thread..most of which were settled with a superior level of customer service...(except the fellow who bought a 10 year old model used at a garage sale)...and no bowyer offering TD and single piece bows made of glass laminated wood is going to experience a 0% product failure rate...ain't happening...NONE....of them..no matter how much you pay..cause when it comes to laminating wood?..there are no gaurantees...just experience, knowledge, proven processes and warrantees that apparently the Lee Co. stands firmly behind just so threads like this one never make it to the net..to diminish sales and destroy the fine reputation they've established over many decades of satisfied customers and successful archers.
sorry..but admittedly being a Bob Lee fanboy?..i have the utmost respect for the man and his company..after all..his peers in the industry thought him a lunatic when he announced his intention of designing and manufacturing a 3 piece TD recurve..claiming it just couldn't be done and that it would never work...but he took a risk...applied himself..and made it happen..and wether it be to travel to a world tourney or?..fly to another continent for a hunt..any archer who's ever broke down their 3 piece bow of any configuration and stuffed it into a nice neat little package for national or international travel?..has Mr. Lee to thank for it.
are his bows the least expensive?...no...but it's also been my experience that they can and do outperform other makes that cost signifigantly more..with an emphasis on smoothness, durability and shootability..my Hunter model TD cost me $425 new nearly 2 decades ago...it originally came with 62"/54# limbs..i then bought 64"/46# Signiture limbs (used) and ultimately swapped those out for the current 62"/42# Classic limbs it dons today and have have zero limb issues with any of them..it sports a 19" riser made of resin impregnated Ash..i've even removed signifigant amounts of matrerial from the grip/throat area to custom shape it to my hand and refinished it myself..and to this day?..it shoots like a charm..and there ain't another bow made of simular specs i would trade it for at any price.
the custom shaped grip..
(http://www.fz1gear.com/strunglee1.jpg)
the bow...
(http://www.fz1gear.com/strunglee3.jpg)
again...sorry..but to me?..as far as archery goes?..Bob Lee defines the term "Living Legend".
Thanks for reading my rant...felt like i owed him that..and L8R, Bill.
Jinkster,
I appreciate your tribute to Mr. Lee and his bows. He is a trad archery legend who takes a lot of pride in his work, offering us outstanding customer service.
I recall the "cracking" problems getting wide publicity a few years ago, but have heard nothing but accolades regarding Lee bows lately.
Outstanding bows from a legend!
Glad to here Bob Lee is going to fix her for you.Ive got an older 57#@28" Bob Lee "Thunderbolt" I could hook you up with for cheap Clint.It is a sweet shooter,just not the most attractive as my snake job on it didnt turn out so great.Have no idea what she`d cost to send down under.Give me a shout,maybe we can work something out.Gday.
chanumpa, this thread began by "Clint" 4 years ago. However, an update on the situation would be welcome if Clint is still around. :dunno:
QuoteOriginally posted by Blackhawk:
Jinkster,
I appreciate your tribute to Mr. Lee and his bows. He is a trad archery legend who takes a lot of pride in his work, offering us outstanding customer service.
I recall the "cracking" problems getting wide publicity a few years ago, but have heard nothing but accolades regarding Lee bows lately.
Outstanding bows from a legend!
Sorry...my bad..but someone else recently revived a thread which posted a link to this thread over on AT...where several folks gave thanks to that poster proclaiming stuff like"good to know" and "thanks i'll never buy a BL bow now"...so i responded accordingly with exactly what i copied and pasted above..sorry that in doing so i inadvertantly revived and older thread here..but it was being used in a very negitive fashion elsewheres and i didn't feel the Lee's deserved the recently revived bad press..and wanted the www to know. LOL!
Jinkster, I don't think you were "bad".
It never hurts to remind folks about Mr. Lee, his great products, and even better customer service.
yep this is an old thread.
the limbs were replaced and i'm still shooting the replacement limbs.