Older recurve with twisted limbs, can it be straightened?

[txfireguy2003]

I recieved an older Bear recurve bow which I know very little about, several years ago. I never messed with it much as I was just a boy and really didn't have the strength to shoot it. Well, I ran across it the other day and tried to string it up and I believe the limbs are twisted. When strung, the the string doesn't really sit in the groove that is carved into the limbs for it. It seems to want to sit off to one side. I didn't pay that much attention, and it's been a while, so I don't really remember the specifics of which side, same top and bottom or opposite side top and bottom. The local bow shop closed its doors back in December, so I can't take it to him to look at. What would you guys recommend if I wanted to try and get it back to shooting form. I've read before that the limbs can sometimes be twisted back straight if they are twisted, but how is that accomplished.

[meangene1969]

If it's a slight twist yes you can fix it. Ol man is a good man to ask

[Samiel2d]

pictures help. i twisted a limb on a PSE impala once, i simply turned the limb in the opposite direction of the twist. ive also heard that a blow dryer on low heat will also help again twisting away from the origional twist. i have not personally used the blow dryer method. i do know that a slight twist can be straightened with a little time and patience.

[lowinski1978]

I was wondering the same thing I have an old Ben Pearson Pony

[Bisch]

Pics would definitely help. If the twist is not too bad it can probably be fixed. I live in Georgetown and would be happy to meet you and see about it. If it is a slight twist we can fix it with a couple clamps and a blow dryer. Let me know what you think.

Bisch

[bassmatt72]

Hey, Maybe we could meet Bisch after our Saturday morning buisness! See what you can work out. I might be able to help you with the bow, I know a little bit and know several guys to ask.

[RickBarbee]

There are several methods of straightening out limb twist. I've straightened a bunch.

My method:

Do one limb at a time.

I use wet heat.

I soak towels, and heat them in the oven until they reach a temp that is just slightly to hot to handle bare handed.

Once the towels are heated I use gloves to handle them, and wrap them around the limbs, and leave them on there for about 5 minutes.

After about 5 minutes I remove the towels, and start taking the twist out of the limbs, and repeat the process until both limbs are straight.

Once I am satisfied with the straightness the heat has got me, then I string the bow, and straighten a little more if need while the limbs are still slightly warm.

Leave it strung until it has completely cooled down. I usually like to leave them strung over night.

Hasn't failed me yet.

Straightened out a Lynn Herndon 70" 35# target recurve once that was so badly twisted it was almost cork screw shaped. That was close to 20 years ago, and the bow is still straight, and shoots great.

Your mileage may vary.

Rick

[bm22]

i was once told by Rob Lee to run your bath faucet on hot water and string the bow and put the limb under the hot water for about 10 sec. then hold the riser and the curve part of the bow and twist in the opposite way. hold the string on the tip while you twist so it wont come unstrung while twisting. it has worked for me on a couple of recurves. you have have to try it several times, heat and twist, heat and twist.

[neon quiver]

I have straightened limbs using the method bm22 talks about in the post above. Heat and twist, heat and twist till you get what you want......
Mark

[Tom Kidwell]

Like Rick, I use wet heat... usually hot tap water. The big thing that I've found is that the limbs need to be straightened in small corrections instead of try to get the entire twist out in one operation. I rest the bow for an hour or so between operations and can usually get 1/4 to 1/2 inch of the twist out for each operation. Finally, when it's satisfactorily corrected, I rest the bow for a day, then string it for a week. Then she's good to go.... as long as she's treated properly after that.

[kestimator]

Thanks Tom and bm22! I fixed a recurve today between working at the computer using your technique

[bbs383ci]

need to try this got browning nomad that has a twisted limb

[ripstop]

Be sure and keep us up to speed on this one

[txfireguy2003]

Well, I got mine pretty close to straight with a hair dryer and handed it off to bassmatt for a new string. He said he got it a little straighter, made a string for it and is paying with it some. I haven't gotten it back yet, but I'm in no hurry.

Sent from my Samsung Captivate using Tapatalk.

[Ron]

Good to know.