checking draw weight?

$bowhunter$ · July 30, 2011, 06:53:00 PM

whats the best way to measure the draaw weight on a trad. bow? and i draw long so i need to be able to measure the draw as i go

thanks ahead,

steven

July 30, 2011, 06:58:00 PM

i put a close pin on my arrow to mark my draw length, then pull with my spring loaded scale till the close pin touches the riser, its pretty acurate........i think.

$bowhunter$ · July 30, 2011, 07:07:00 PM

where do you get a cheap spring loaded scale? all i have on hand is an eletronic berkly fish scale

Ric O'Shay · July 30, 2011, 07:10:00 PM

Jack Howard always said to anchor the bow on a board so the handle doesn't move. Then using a dowel (like an arrow) marked in 1/4" increments from about the 26" to about 30", then place the hook on the scale at the nocking point with the dowel attached to the string and draw the bow with the scale out to your known draw length or 28". Then read the scale.

If you hang the scale from a beam or the ceiling and then place the string on the scale and draw the bow by pulling down on the handle, you will get an inaccurate reading. Why? you ask? Because the scale is also reading the mass weight of the bow BEFORE you start the draw.

Danny

July 30, 2011, 07:11:00 PM

most sponsors here have them, threerivers i know have them, im guessing about 20-25 bucks

Hawkeye · July 30, 2011, 08:16:00 PM

I haven't been happy with the accuracy of my cheap handheld spring loaded bow scale. I've wondered about trying one of the electronic types...

If nothing else, I need to check it against a calibrated scale so I can use "Kentucky windage" when I use it. I THINK it reads about 3# low.

7 Lakes · July 30, 2011, 09:00:00 PM

Hawk, if you are hanging a 3 pound scale from your string you have to take that into account.

sticksnstones · July 30, 2011, 09:56:00 PM

I just re-checked mine last night at the local shop. They checked my draw length 3 times 31", 31.25", 31.25" then we put the bow on their scale and they read off both weights to me. They did it for free since I pay their range fee three times a week. If you want the gear to do it yourself, I'd second 3 Rivers because they've always treated me right.

Hawkeye · July 30, 2011, 11:08:00 PM

Mike,

This is the kind you clip on the string and draw the bow as if you are shooting it. The suspected discrepancies are because of listed weights on several bows (by different bowyers)compared to what my scale said.

statedriller · July 30, 2011, 11:36:00 PM

I have a cheap suitcase scale from Walmart that is very accurate. Worth a look...

Stiks-n-Strings · July 31, 2011, 01:56:00 AM

I had one of those cheap handheld spring scales and it was junk.

I now use one of the electronic ones and it is accurate within 1/4 of a pound from what I can figure. I'll have to look to see what brand it is but it was only 25$

Rob DiStefano · July 31, 2011, 06:42:00 AM

i'd used spring scales for decades and they're all off, some as much as 5# or more. a digital scale will be far more accurate. i use the easton digital bow scale - super accurate, but costs a bundle. i'd used cheaper digital scales that weren't designed for checking bow weights, and they work ok for the most part. the easton was made for bows, and makes it too easy to use.

scales aside, the dowel w/clothespin is the only sane, simple, real-world way to check draw weight.

Eugene Slagle · July 31, 2011, 07:22:00 AM

I agree with Rob but with one crevat.

The spring scale that I have I know is accurate to within +/- 1LB because I calibrate it myself using free weights & bow string.
I simply use weights that are marked for 5, 10, 20 & 50LB then verify them on my digital medical scale, then hang them from the scale using the bow string to calibrate it.
So they can be accurate.

As far as measurements go I hang the scale & attach it to the bow string with my measuring arrow & draw to the length I'm looking for & have someone read the results.