Trad Gang

Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: Looper on May 28, 2010, 09:26:00 AM

Title: My Adcock just exploded....
Post by: Looper on May 28, 2010, 09:26:00 AM
I can't believe this.  Let me preface this by saying that I'm very conscience of the condition of my bow and equipment.  I always go through a "pre-flight" routine.  I feel the limbs, inspect the tips, and inspect the string every single time I pick it up to shoot. I don't drop my bow. I'm careful to not let the limbs hit anything. I leave the bow strung, unless I'm traveling.  I don't leave it in hot vehicles and keep it stored on a horizontal bow rack.

The bow specs are OL Adcock non-acs takedown, 68", 8" brace height, 14 strand FF, beaver silencers, double brass nock set, 63# at my 31" draw, new 635 grain arrows with new nocks (correctly fitted to the string).

Now to the point.  I was shooting a few arrows like I do every morning. Everything was going well. I was hitting my target, the bow was quiet. On about my 7th or 8th shot, something happened.  I thought I had dryfired.  Then I noticed the string was off the top limb.  I then looked at the bottom limb.  It was destroyed.     :banghead:  The pics will show what happened.

I really don't know what to do now.  This was my favorite bow.  In fact, it's my main bow.  I don't even have arrows for my other one.  My wife got it for me for my 40th birthday, and although it was used, it was a perfect fit for me. We spent more on it than we should have, but I figured I'd rather have one really nice bow than a couple of mediocre ones.  I planned on using it exclusively for the next few years and get really good with it. I was going to go shoot in my first 3d tomorrow. That's out now.

I guess I could have someone make up some limbs for it.  I don't think OL Adcock makes these anymore or even makes anything these days.  I really couldn't afford new ones right now anyway.
 

(http://i934.photobucket.com/albums/ad183/wclooper/DSC_0276.jpg)
(http://i934.photobucket.com/albums/ad183/wclooper/DSC_0282.jpg)
(http://i934.photobucket.com/albums/ad183/wclooper/DSC_0275.jpg)
Title: Re: My Adcock just exploded....
Post by: rastaman on May 28, 2010, 09:29:00 AM
Ouch!  :eek:
Title: Re: My Adcock just exploded....
Post by: string bean on May 28, 2010, 09:29:00 AM
Oh man I'd be sick sick sick.
Title: Re: My Adcock just exploded....
Post by: Gil Verwey on May 28, 2010, 09:33:00 AM
You ought to check with John Havard and see if his A&H limbs will fit your riser.

Good luck
Gil
Title: Re: My Adcock just exploded....
Post by: Steve O on May 28, 2010, 09:34:00 AM
Holy Smokes, I'm glad you did not get hurt.

Man, I never look at my bow, I just expect it is good to go.

Good luck finding something new.
Title: Re: My Adcock just exploded....
Post by: vermonster13 on May 28, 2010, 09:44:00 AM
Looks like the glue line gave out. Sorry for your loss.
Title: Re: My Adcock just exploded....
Post by: Mudd on May 28, 2010, 09:47:00 AM
I'm sorry 1st of all and I'm really glad you didn't mention that you got hurt. Thank God!

I'd guess by looking at the pictures that it had a glue failure. Why? I don't have a clue but I had it happen on one of my favorite bows once and like your situation my bowyer had moved on to building really fancy engraved muzzleloaders.

I truly am saddened for your situation and I hope you can get something worked out that you can afford plus puts you back to where you felt you were with your shooting before this happened.

God bless,Mudd
Title: Re: My Adcock just exploded....
Post by: BowZen on May 28, 2010, 09:52:00 AM
Glad you diodn't get hurt!!
Title: Re: My Adcock just exploded....
Post by: Steve Clandinin on May 28, 2010, 10:04:00 AM
Its sad life gets like that,as long as you didn't get hurt.If you need a loner or bow to shoot Pm me .All the best.Steve
Title: Re: My Adcock just exploded....
Post by: Looper on May 28, 2010, 10:16:00 AM
Yea, I didn't get hurt.

Thanks for the offer, Steve.  I do have a Hill Halfbreed that I'll start shooting.  I'll pick up some arrows for it at the Hickory Shoot tomorrow.  I'm nowhere near as good a shot with it as I was with the Adcock. Of course, I shot the Adcock every day.

I just hate to see such a beautiful bow broken like that. At least the riser is still fine, as far as I can tell.

Unfortunately, John's ACS limbs won't fit this riser.  I'm going to see if OL could make some new ones. If he can't or won't, does anyone have any suggestions?
Title: Re: My Adcock just exploded....
Post by: Jeff Strubberg on May 28, 2010, 10:19:00 AM
Gah!  It looks like the phenolic gave way and let the string dig right down through the bow limb.

Dang looper.  Wish I could help, but me trying to replace Adcock limbs would be like trying to make you a shovel out of a cucumber.  I hope you find some help for your old friend there.
Title: Re: My Adcock just exploded....
Post by: Looper on May 28, 2010, 10:29:00 AM
I think you're right, Jeff. I'm hoping Mr. Adcock will come out of retirement and revive this beauty.  I'll post some pics of the riser, later.  It's too pretty to use as a paper weight.
Title: Re: My Adcock just exploded....
Post by: luv2bowhunt on May 28, 2010, 10:30:00 AM
That is seriously ugly bud! Sorry to see that, but glad you didn't get hurt!! I am sure that you will be able to find something for her, just post a wanted over in the Trad Bow classifieds and I am sure someone will have something... whether it is priced right for you might be another question though.
Title: Re: My Adcock just exploded....
Post by: Matabele on May 28, 2010, 10:48:00 AM
Man thats terrible, that sucks especially when you look after your equipment so well.

My only suggestion would be to email a bunch of custom bowyers and see if any are prepared to adapt their limbs to your riser. Alternatively maybe post a request on the Bowyers Bench Forum and see if any budding bowyers might make a set of limbs for your riser.

Hope it works out for you!
Title: Re: My Adcock just exploded....
Post by: bolong on May 28, 2010, 11:04:00 AM
Man I hate to see that, at least you were not hurt.  :(
Title: Re: My Adcock just exploded....
Post by: Apex Predator on May 28, 2010, 11:10:00 AM
Looks like it may have started on the shoulders of the string grooves.
Title: Re: My Adcock just exploded....
Post by: Danny Rowan on May 28, 2010, 11:11:00 AM
I would still contact John Harvard. I would bet if you sent him the riser he could make some limbs for it. O.L. is dealing with a very sick mother and is not making any bows and has not for a very long time. Since it is a non ACS I would also bet that the bow hospital could make you a set of limbs if you sent them the riser, Contact Whip. Just a couple of suggestions. Most any good bowyer could probably make you a set of limbs if they had the riser. Just a matter of if they want to tackle they job.
Title: Re: My Adcock just exploded....
Post by: Bjorn on May 28, 2010, 11:14:00 AM
Major bummer man! Hope you are able to get some replacement limbs.
Title: Re: My Adcock just exploded....
Post by: Bob L. on May 28, 2010, 12:45:00 PM
Sent you a pm
Title: Re: My Adcock just exploded....
Post by: Lost Arra on May 28, 2010, 12:59:00 PM
Incoming pm
Title: Re: My Adcock just exploded....
Post by: ranger42 on May 28, 2010, 01:00:00 PM
Oh Man! I hate to see that happen. Hopefully, someone will help you out with some new limbs. Good Luck!
Title: Re: My Adcock just exploded....
Post by: stevemfwills on May 28, 2010, 01:06:00 PM
sorry for your loss
Title: Re: My Adcock just exploded....
Post by: wingnut on May 28, 2010, 01:38:00 PM
One problem your going to run into is the pre ACS bows were all hand made and hand fit.  So replacement limbs are going to have to be hand made and fit to the riser.

It's not that hard but still is going to be a problem.

Also OL used his own bolt and pin pattern.

Mike
Title: Re: My Adcock just exploded....
Post by: Looper on May 28, 2010, 02:41:00 PM
Mike, I hear what you're saying.  I've got an email in to Mr. Adcock.  If he doesn't respond, or can't help me, I'll see about having someone else do them.

To me, the biggest pain will be building the form.  The rest should be straight forward. The pins aren't centered, but it looks like it would be easy to make a pattern off the existing limbs.  Heck, a person could even grind off the old ones and put in new.  

I don't think the limbs are made out of any top secret materials, either.  It looks like bamboo cores, bamboo veneers, and clear glass.  The wedges look like ebony.  The tip overlays are micarta.

I'm just about talking myself into building them myself.  I just need to get a bandsaw and a sander.
Title: Re: My Adcock just exploded....
Post by: Ground Hunter on May 28, 2010, 02:45:00 PM
The king is dead - long live the king.  Looks like a good time to get a new bow.  Sorry for your loss.  Try to make the best of it.  H
Title: Re: My Adcock just exploded....
Post by: Looper on May 28, 2010, 02:59:00 PM
I can't let it die.  I haven't even bloodied it yet. I'll get some new limbs, even if I have to build them myself.
Title: Re: My Adcock just exploded....
Post by: Ground Hunter on May 28, 2010, 03:40:00 PM
Well there is Duct Tape.  H
Title: Re: My Adcock just exploded....
Post by: Robertfishes on May 28, 2010, 04:07:00 PM
you could place an add for a set of limbs, some times guys order several sets for a single riser..but like Mike said each one was hand fitted so you may have some problem with cosmetic fit..
Title: Re: My Adcock just exploded....
Post by: schlaggerman on May 28, 2010, 05:21:00 PM
That's what a limb looks like when a non-fast flight bow is shot with a fast flight string. Either the bow wasn't made for fast flight or the phenolic on the limb tips some how failed negating your fast flight protection.
Title: Re: My Adcock just exploded....
Post by: hickstick on May 28, 2010, 05:28:00 PM
I agree with Jeff..it looks to me like the FF string cut through the tip overlays....

I know how you feel...my fav custom bow cleaved in half at the handle/pivot at full draw last summer.  if I hadn't had a limbmount quiver on it I would bet I'd be missing a few teeth or worse!   glad you didn't suffer anything worse in the loss.  hope you can get it fixed.   me, I bought a BW off the classifieds here and couldn't be happier.
Title: Re: My Adcock just exploded....
Post by: Bjorn on May 28, 2010, 05:53:00 PM
OL never made any "non FF" bows or limbs.
Title: Re: My Adcock just exploded....
Post by: Friend on May 28, 2010, 06:20:00 PM
Sure glad you weren't harmed.

Had a Border w/Hex V limbs break on me and blacked my eye really good last year. I was glad that was all that happened. I can testify that those static tips really store the energy.
Title: Re: My Adcock just exploded....
Post by: jomama on May 28, 2010, 08:10:00 PM
Sorry about that, glad your not hurt.
Title: Re: My Adcock just exploded....
Post by: oldbohntr on July 05, 2010, 09:46:00 AM
I had a Paul Shafer recurve limb fail many years ago due to a starved glue joint, but it didn't look like yours at all. You've got a lot of wood still attached to both sides of the split, and mine didn't.  It looks to me like your glue joint held on both sides, and the wood was pulled apart. Experienced bowyers will know much better than I do, but I'd suspect a cracked tip overlay allowed the low stretch string to rip right down through the limb.  The lam coming apart was a side effect, not a cause.
Title: Re: My Adcock just exploded....
Post by: oldbohntr on July 05, 2010, 09:59:00 AM
Oh, yeah, failed to say that I sympathize with you.  That experience is heartbreaking. I sure don't want to go through it again, especially with my Adcock!  Don't lose the parts you have left...a set of limbs may come available, or OL might actually be able to help someday.  I believe him to be a good man who's having some tough times, and I sure hope he gets back in the groove again soon.
Title: Re: My Adcock just exploded....
Post by: wisconsin wood butcher on July 05, 2010, 10:32:00 AM
i'll bet it works out .its good theres no damage to physically   :campfire:  sorry to hear O.L is having troubles
Title: Re: My Adcock just exploded....
Post by: James Wrenn on July 05, 2010, 11:03:00 AM
Find someone to glue you up a set of Binghams td limbs.They will work on your riser with a little fitting to match the pin holes.The Adcock limbs were glued up on the same form.Many people build the Bingham bows so I am sure you can find someone to do it.You could just send them your riser and have them refinish it and mount the limbs.jmo
Title: Re: My Adcock just exploded....
Post by: newell38 on July 05, 2010, 12:19:00 PM
wow, that FF cut right through that glass!!! glue lines looked good but looks like a faulty tip material.  ive seen delams exactly like this one from fast flight strings on non fast flight bows.
Title: Re: My Adcock just exploded....
Post by: joekeith on July 05, 2010, 12:34:00 PM
Sorry about the bow.....if it was me I'd contact Mike @ Maddog Archery.  He can make ya a set of limbs.  He has one of mine and is makin' 2 sets of limbs for it.  Should be done any day now.  Send him a PM and see what he's got to say. Good luck, hang in there.  :archer2:
Title: Re: My Adcock just exploded....
Post by: lpcjon2 on July 05, 2010, 12:51:00 PM
That truly bites the big one,But the good side is you have an excuse to buy a new one.
Title: Re: My Adcock just exploded....
Post by: Ron+dog on July 05, 2010, 01:01:00 PM
sorry man same thing happened to me yesterday im sick discusted and heartbroken i can only guess you feel similer sorry for the loss
Title: Re: My Adcock just exploded....
Post by: eric-thor on July 05, 2010, 01:48:00 PM
sorry this happend to ya hope it works out .glad you didnt get hert.  :campfire:    :pray:    :coffee:    :coffee:
Title: Re: My Adcock just exploded....
Post by: Ted Fry on July 05, 2010, 02:51:00 PM
Just out of curiosity is that the laminated bamboo core?
Title: Re: My Adcock just exploded....
Post by: Looper on July 05, 2010, 03:24:00 PM
I sent the bow to a bowyer.  He wasn't comfortable putting his limbs on it.  
I decided I'd rather just order a new bow (with a warranty) and fix this one myself.
Title: Re: My Adcock just exploded....
Post by: Looper on July 05, 2010, 03:25:00 PM
Yes, Ted, it is bamboo.
Title: Re: My Adcock just exploded....
Post by: Ted Fry on July 05, 2010, 10:49:00 PM
In my opinion that stuff is a bit inconsistent, I had some issues with a batch I received, the amber , never had problems with the natural.
The problems I had  separated just like that between the core , since I dont use fiberglass that was not the issue, the problem was the core, shot for months then just went kablam!I dont feel fast flight was a problem nor tip overlay, most likely the core went first then caused the other issues.
Not saying its all bad but might be something to keep an eye on. Sorry for your loss.
Title: Re: My Adcock just exploded....
Post by: thunder1 on July 06, 2010, 12:50:00 AM
Glad your ok. I just suffered a loss a couple of weeks ago. It's a sick feeling.
Title: Re: My Adcock just exploded....
Post by: Rob DiStefano on July 06, 2010, 05:14:00 AM
bummer to hear about any bow blowing up, glad no one  was hurt.  

if the cost wouldn't be too much more than "normal", i'd go for new limbs - sending the riser to any competent bowyer will get that job done.  

as to cracks in the riser, wicking in quality (model hobby shop brand types) water thin cya will make those crack areas harder and stronger than the wood itself.  if the cracks are very noticeable, a pre-dusting with baking soda will do the gap filling AFTER some initial cya wicking in.  i would only use water thin cya, never the gap filling kind, nor would never use any cya accelerator.
Title: Re: My Adcock just exploded....
Post by: Bob Morrison on July 06, 2010, 08:40:00 AM
Ted is right. Amber Boo does not hold up like natural Boo. you can see in the pic, it looks almost rotten. We had to quit using the amber years ago.
Title: Re: My Adcock just exploded....
Post by: wingnut on July 06, 2010, 08:44:00 AM
Yep that's why a lot of bowyers have stopped using some of the actionboo products.  Too many Blams!

We played with it some and didn't like what we got.  We use natural boo that we grind so we know whats in the bow.

If this was a pre-acs bow it had some miles on it.

Mike
Title: Re: My Adcock just exploded....
Post by: inthere10x on July 06, 2010, 12:50:00 PM
Bowbldr and Wingnut,  
How concerned should those of us who have actionboo core bows be?
Title: Re: My Adcock just exploded....
Post by: wingnut on July 06, 2010, 12:55:00 PM
Don't panic about the actionboo cores.  They are very good.  It was just in our testing that we didn't like them.

Mike
Title: Re: My Adcock just exploded....
Post by: Ted Fry on July 06, 2010, 01:23:00 PM
Now you went and did it Mike,now there will be a run on the bank .
No really guys , no need to get all worked up , several thousand bows have been made with it, most of us have moved away from it as it was inconsistent, not bad, every now and then one would fail, most likely long before the customer ever received it. Most of us cant afford to make bows that we cant pass on to our customers. Thanks for backing me up Bob, sometimes I hate to hang out there on my opinion, shaky ground.
Title: Re: My Adcock just exploded....
Post by: Rob DiStefano on July 06, 2010, 02:52:00 PM
methinks that this thread alone has pretty much sealed the fate of 'actionboo' ...
Title: Re: My Adcock just exploded....
Post by: **DONOTDELETE** on July 06, 2010, 02:59:00 PM
QuoteOriginally posted by Rob DiStefano:
methinks that this thread alone has pretty much sealed the fate of 'actionboo' ...
I Agree
Title: Re: My Adcock just exploded....
Post by: dan d on July 06, 2010, 07:28:00 PM
The part that makes me nervous is it sounds like it's only a matter of time before a person has a bow blow up on them ! I see a lot of posts here where guys make it sound like it is a normal experience of a bow blowing up ! Do I need to start wearing safety glasses and protective clothing to shoot ? I hope I'm just exagerating this question by saying that, but in the back of my mind I am wondering.
Dan
Title: Re: My Adcock just exploded....
Post by: Looper on July 07, 2010, 02:16:00 AM
Ted, I think you may be right.  At first, I thought the overlay had failed, but it does look like the core separated within itself.

Rob, I decided that I'm going to build a set of limbs myself.  I'm planning on fixing the riser like you said.  The only issue is that it has a Thunderbird finish and a lot of checkering.  It will be fairly easy to get the Thunderbird off the non-checkered area, but I'm going to have to be real careful on the checkered.
Title: Re: My Adcock just exploded....
Post by: Rob DiStefano on July 07, 2010, 06:54:00 AM
QuoteOriginally posted by looper:
... Rob, I decided that I'm going to build a set of limbs myself.  I'm planning on fixing the riser like you said.  The only issue is that it has a Thunderbird finish and a lot of checkering.  It will be fairly easy to get the Thunderbird off the non-checkered area, but I'm going to have to be real careful on the checkered.
why are you taking off the finish?
Title: Re: My Adcock just exploded....
Post by: Bonebuster on July 07, 2010, 07:10:00 AM
"I can`t let it die. I haven't even bloodied it yet. I`ll get some new limbs, even if I have to build them myself." From page two.

Four pages thus far offering help and support.
Professional bowyers giving advice.  

Sorry about your bow Looper, but it looks like you`re gonna make the best of it and probably learn a ton! Something good FROM something bad!

Traditional archery at it`s best!  :campfire:
Title: Re: My Adcock just exploded....
Post by: Looper on July 07, 2010, 08:08:00 AM
Rob, wouldn't it look like crap if you don't remove the finish? I probably wouldn't have to remove all of the finish, but certainly where the checks are. Some are on the flats and some are in the checkering. I was planning on putting something other than Thunderbird on it, too. If that's not a big deal, great.
Title: Re: My Adcock just exploded....
Post by: Turkeys Fear Me on July 07, 2010, 08:24:00 AM
Just a hint.  Don't try to put poly over Thunderbird, it will fail.  Been there, done that.

Sorry about your bow.  :(
Title: Re: My Adcock just exploded....
Post by: Rob DiStefano on July 07, 2010, 08:35:00 AM
QuoteOriginally posted by looper:
Rob, wouldn't it look like crap if you don't remove the finish? I probably wouldn't have to remove all of the finish, but certainly where the checks are. Some are on the flats and some are in the checkering. I was planning on putting something other than Thunderbird on it, too. If that's not a big deal, great.
you don't need to do a thing before wicking in the cya.  take yer time and do a little at a time to fill up and harden those cracks.  water thin cya will get into the most micro of cracks and make a great bond.  

afterwards, you can prep the wood by buffing with steel wool and apply another finish ... or just buff out with 0000 wool and be done with it.
Title: Re: My Adcock just exploded....
Post by: Looper on July 07, 2010, 08:50:00 AM
Thanks Rob. I'll try that.