Trad Gang

Recently I have found myself shooting a lot in the garage (south-central Texas).  I've been storing several bows out there (strung and unstrung).  

Heat here is mostly 95-102 pretty much every day, so am I in danger of damaging my bows by leaving them strung in the garage?

Just want some opinions.  Maybe I'll convince my wife to let me put a bow rack in the living room someday. HA HA!

Brett

I would not leave them strung for long periods of time in high heat. I would assume it cools at night, might think about an insulated storage box if it stays that hot for long periods.

Personally I have no experience with those temps so I am just giving an opinion.

hey bret i got family that lives in your town well out side justa lil on south 123 but i would say yes you might want to unstring them each time and talk real nice to your wife and se may let you hang em in the closet maybe worth a try take care jake

Brett I wouldn't leave my bow out there for any length of time,shouldn't hurt it but heat can cause delamination and warping.

Thanks guys, I'll move them all inside.

Good decision Brent.  Heat scares me, strung or unstrung. . . and inside cars- watch out!

Have always been told the heat is not good for the laminations.

Had an old Herters perfection sitka delam on me after being in storage in Florida for six months, move them inside.

Glad I came across this post.  I have the same issue in fort worth. I think I will move mine inside

Brett - I have a light poundage bow that I leave strung up in my garage here just north of Austin.  It has my formaster on it and I'll use it early in the morning before I get anyone up for work.  I noticed last week that my upper limb prop twisted on me once the temps went above 100 last week.  I'd move 'em indoors.

i lost one last year by getting in from bowfishing early in the morning after being out all night and leaving the bow in the boat. That afternoon when I got up it had delam'd and that was in the shade of my walkaround on my airboat!!

Depends if the garage gets hot or not. I leave a bunch strung in a glass enclose sunroom but it never really gets real hot in there and I keep them away from the windows! Shawn

I'd get 'em outta there.  If you get one scorcher...

The only time mine are outside is when I'm shooting or going to a shoot or hunting. When traveling, I try to keep them inside the truck. Don't like the 102+ temps here and the bed of a truck can get pretty hot. But, it is where I live and I make the best of it. Treat your bows like you'd want to be treated and they will give you years of great service.

Hey Brett, My Adkins Garage hits 118 midday with the doors open and up in the rafters 130  :scared:  , I used a lazer thermometer to check it... shoot,, I moved the wife upstairs and keep my bows on the bed next to me (King) that way if I get the desire I can feel those graceful curves.....  :bigsmyl:

QuoteOriginally posted by Mike Most:
Hey Brett,
... I moved the wife upstairs and keep my bows on the bed next to me (King) that way if I get the desire I can feel those graceful curves.....   :bigsmyl:  

 Dead man walkin...   :rolleyes:

I had an old Groves delaminate one time, being in a closed vehicle for only about an hour. It may have been hotter at the time, not sure, but anything approaching 100 degrees would worry me.

How hot is too hot? Not meaning direct sunlight.

I never leave mine strung, outside the A/C, unless I am shooting them.

Bisch

My garage stays pretty cool, even on hot 90+ degree days, but I'm in Maine. I leave a few strung, most unstrung. I have a strange feeling most of these bows will still be around, in good working order, long after I'm gone.

Hey Mike, Now that's funny    :biglaugh:

Had a takedown bow, unstrung, delam in a hot trunk at a 3 day shoot. Lesson learned for me!
Even though it wasnt under pressure, the concentrated heat split the glass from the wedge.

Rule of thumb for a bowyer is never take them out of the form until the temp is below 90 degrees or you'll get too much spring back.

i wouldn't leave a bow in 90 degree temp strung for long periods of time. even if the lamination's hold, you can get string follow going. even on a glass bow.... besides loosing draw weight, it can throw it out of balance too..... i keep mine unstrung in hot weather unless I'm hunting or shooting.  kirk

In 1972. I called my dad to send out my Indian recurve to hunt Catalina.  He called me back to say my precious recurve had delaminated in the attic while i was overseas.  Never again, not even a hot car!!!

I had a Black Widow delam on me years ago. It was in the upper 90's while I was shooting. I got just about to full draw and WHAM,the upper limb let go and smacked me in the head. I didn't even realize what had happened until the blood dripped in my eye. 67#s packs a whallop when it hits you in the head! I called Widow and they said that the glue probably wasn't cured right and the heat caused it to let go. All my bows are hung in a room with ac.I hate the heat and keep it cold enough that a side of beef could probably hang right next to them.

TTT  becareful this is turning out to be hottest year on record for most everyone

Just had one delaminate in the garage.  Get them outta that heat guys!

TTT  becareful this is turning out to be hottest year on record for most everyone

I need to stick a thermometer in my closet...

Just wondering if a high of 85 degree in a well insulated work shop in the afternoon with 2x6 walls and all windows having miniblinds to keep the light out is o.k. hanging unstrung?  I haven't had any problems over the past ten years but my thermometer is 103 on my front porch in the shade and 85 in my attached shop inside...I never leave them strung out there but just curious and asking you bowyers if it's o.k...

Brett,I think you made a VERY WISE decision getting your bows inside out of the heat. Might not hurt them but why take a chance

Mine are hanging on my rack in my cool basement. It is HOTTER THAN HELL here in Michigan right now.