For those of you who have experience with the "formaster", is it in any way "hard" on the bow? I've watched several videos and it just looks like it would be something like a mini dryfire. I was thinking of buying one, but would hate to ruin a bow. Hopefully, this is the right forum for this question.
Thanks,
Dick

Dick, no it is not damaging to your bow. You are providing resistance to the string releasing. If you weren't pulling through the shot and providing any resistance then I could see how that would be a dryfire situation. But this isn't the way we use the formaster or the way we shoot.

Having used one, I can't see how it could do any damage, limbs move very little upon release and there is no jerking of the arm with proper tension. If the arm does jerk it's still offering more resistance then an arrow being shot would.

I almost had a knot failure on my homemade one. I use mine with an arrow on the string so that the arrow will absorb the energy if something goes wrong. Its a great tool.

There are two types, you want the rigid foremaster.  Not the one with the elastic bands.

The instructions for the Rigid model have a draw weight limit, but it's higher than the elastic IIRC.

If you set it up right, the string only moves a few inches.

I use an arrow with mine so I think the arrow should assorb the bows energy without damaging it.

I also use it with an arrow on it just in case.

I made mine with misc stuff around the house for free. I love it and it has shrunk my groups and made me more confident. I use an arrow also because I anchor with my nose on the feather.

I use an arrow and also stand about five yards from my straw bales. The arrows easier to retrieve or encase of the rope breaking.