How do you string your longbow??Push-pull or stringer??I use a Webster on my Hills,whats the safest way??
Lotsa ways, some recommended for safety (you and the bow) and some are quick and easy.
A lot depends on the design of the bow. Straight limbed bows are almost made to be strung by push pull, while severe R/D makes it tougher to handle for a lot of folks. A recurve CAN be strung manually but really should be strung using a good stringer.
I usually just push pull with longbows unless it is a very heavy pull R/D. Then I will use a stringer to make it easier.
ChuckC
I push/pull brace most bows. The ones I can't I use a stringer.
Step through and bend her over.
I push-pull my ASLs. They're 68" and I'm about 69" so I'm playing in the margins as far as reach goes. If I shot a 70" I'd likely need a stringer but 68" is my pet length. Recurves, stringer; always.
Push-Pull for me and longbows, stringer for recurves.
QuoteOriginally posted by Elkchaser:
Push-Pull for me and longbows, stringer for recurves.
Same with me
Stringers for everything for me.
Push/pull is fast, easy, and risky. Stringer is risk free and just a touch slower.
Webster the safest, usually use step thru for stable longbow limbs, stringer for heavy reflex deflex longbows, acs limbs and recurves.
for longbows/selfbows I do the push-pull....most strings dont work well on longbows especially if they have small tips.
all other bows I use a Selway Stringer as it does not cover the upper limb tip...and is more safe in my opinion for the bow.
I do not string any bow without a stringer. Seen to many mishaps without one from cuts and bruises to knocked out teeth and eyes. Safety counts it only takes one mishap to learn the hard way. I don't care to play bow stringing roulette.
I always use a stringer for my longbows and recurve so.
I use a Webster for everything it will work on...a have a few bows that require a Selway type stringer...I push/pull string a few of my bows sometimes
DDave
I love the simplicity of a longbow-so push pull for me. If I'm shooting a RC or heavy RD it's with a stringer.
Stringers are not without issue themselves. I have seen, and I have had a stringer come off the bow tip while at flex. That gets scary too and could be dangerous. Be careful, whatever you do.
ChuckC
Push pull for me.
Step thru for all my selfbows and ASL's.
Push-pull on all my longbows. Usually use a stringer for recurves.
Used to do push-pull, but kirk told me more bow limbs are twisted stringing and unstringing, so he recommended a stringer.
My SASS is R/D lb, so I use the stringer...every time... some limbs have thicker tip build ups so slidding up over can be more challenging...
Stringers are easy and I have one in several locations and never found it an inconvenience!
Push Pull another reason I love the Hill bows.
Push pull for longbows and stringer for recurves
push pull
Stringer for me...
Good luck, shoot straight and God bless,
Rodd
Stringer for me on all my stick bows. Very easy/safe to use and I always check to make sure the stringer is set.
I've had some scary (and painful) mishaps with stringers. I use push/pull on everything. My bows are all <50lbs now, which is much easier than heavier wts.
I am extremely careful and always turn my head away.
I push /pull most long bows up to about 55# but use a stringer or my shop pegs for recurves and hybrid LB's.
A lot of it has to do with experience with a push pull method, and your strength and dexterity of your fingers. The ability to put the weight of your limb on the heel of your hand and manipulate the loop with your fingers is needed. I can string a bow up to 60-65# with a push/pull method, but taking the string off i have problems over 55#.....
The safest way is to use a stringer. and use the RIGHT stringer for the bow. A tip to tip long bow stringer should NEVER be used on a recurve, and i don't recommend them for R/D long bows either....
Those tip to tip stringers should be outlawed IMO, Most bows are not designed to have all that pressure right on the point of the tip overlays.
I always recommend a stringer with a deep pocket that holds the string in place on the lower loop, and a rubber saddle on the other end that puts the pressure on the back of the limb..... Selway Recurve stringer is the best i've found.
For guys that use a step though method for recurves, i recommend using a rubber band to hold the string in place on the lower limb while setting the string in the upper grooves. A good step though style works very well if you have the strength to bend the limbs evenly without twisting them.
If you just use common sense and watch how the limbs are bending as you put pressure on the limbs you'll be fine. Whether you are push/ pulling, or using a step though method, or a stringer, make damn sure you are not twisting them & you will do no damage.... that goes for letting off the pressure too.... watch your limbs closely as the string takes the load.
Then very carefully look at the string grooves from the belly side of the limb , instantly and make sure they are laying in the grooves properly. This requires flipping the bow over as soon as the string takes the weight..... MANY guys have been slapped in the face by not flipping the bow around before inspecting the string fit....Some have even lost an eye....
One more thing to add about stringing a bow. Once you have it strung, and the string looks good on each string groove. Don't hang it up ans walk away. You should ALWAYS draw the bow a couple times to make sure that string centers up properly in the grooves.
Care and maintenance of your string grooves is something that is often overlooked. Some times you can get a wax build up and dirt that can cause problems. every now and then take some time to pull your string off and polish up your string notches with a piece of yarn or small parachute cord. Then clean and wax your string loops while you are at it. I like to heat my bee's wax with a heat gun or hair drier when doing that to make sure its smooth and not sticky.
Often times i'll take a little vaseline and rub inside the loop. especially in cold wet weather.
Sorry for getting so long winded here guys... but i've seen more bows ruined from stringing bows incorrectly than just about anything else. Mostly recurves. Stringing bows over 50# can be simple, or down right dangerous depending on how you go about it....... Be safe... & be good to your bows... Kirk
(http://i1377.photobucket.com/albums/ah80/Jerome_Bauman/th_bow%20stringer_zpslwnzevdh.mp4) (http://i1377.photobucket.com/albums/ah80/Jerome_Bauman/bow%20stringer_zpslwnzevdh.mp4)
with my extra heavy longbows that were 70" with small tips, I used the Bob Swineherd trick. It is simply an 1/8" cord with a loop on each end. The bottom loop goes above the bottom string grooves and the top loop goes into the top string groove just like a tip to tip leather cup stringer. When the bow is bent far enough the top string grooves open a bit, then the top string loop is pressed into its place and held. As the pressure is let off, the bow string takes the place of the stringer in the string groove. The first time I tried it my knees were shaking as I was certain the whole thing was going go wild when the string slipped crooked. To my surprise it worked perfect.