How To Set Up A Compound Bow

By: Tabitha Dye

Break Studios Contributing Writer
To know how to set up a compound bow properly and correctly allows the
archer to maimi!e the bow"s potential in o#erall per$ormance% Upon ordering
your compound bow& immediately inspect all the parts along with the
accessories included in bo% Since the bow comes set up $rom the $actory&
a#oid making any unnecessary changes which may cause the bow not to
$unction accordingly and #oid the warranty%
What you need:
Compound bow set
Allen key
Tape measure
Bow s'uare
Screw dri#ers
Strings
Ad(ust the bow weight to your desired setting% Use the allen key to ad(ust
the screw on each limb% To increase the weight& tighten the screw while to
decrease the weight& loosen the screw% )e$er to the tiller $or the weight
between the upper and the lower limb% *nsure that the bow grip is at the
center o$ the bow while the arrow rest and the nocking point are placed
abo#e the center%
Set up the arrow rest% Arrow rest should be positioned in the bow window
allowing the contact point o$ the arrow (ust abo#e the pi#ot point o$ the bow%
Balance the arrow rest by +nding the limb"s center%
,et the nocking point% The common nocking point position is in the range
o$ between -./0 inches to /.1 inches% Attach a bow s'uare on the string and
on the arrow rest to measure the nocking point position% 2urther ad(ustments
may be needed to achie#e a better or stable arrow 3ight%
4nstall the nock +t% 5ocks are now made to simply snap onto the string to
attach it% *nsure that when you install the nock there is still enough space to
allow you to slide it up and down $reely% 4t should not apply too much $orce on
the arrow when you draw the arrow back since the arrow has the tendency to
rotate%
Ad(ust the cable guard and the cable slide% *nsure that the cable guards
are ad(usted to gi#e you enough clearance when the arrow is being released
and with enough side $orce $rom the cables% The cable slide should be
positioned properly setting the cables apart to lessen wearing o$ cables%
Ad(ust the draw length% Compound bows may ha#e ad(ustable or
replaceable modules to ad(ust the draw length% When your bow has
replaceable modules you may need to unscrew the module and replace it
with the new one%
4nstall the peep sight by inserting it in the string which is split in hal$%
)emo#e the tension o6 the string by pressing the bow in a bow press i$
needed% Set it at a mid range distance ensuring that it is s'uare to your #ision
at $ull draw% Tie strings abo#e and below the peep sight to hold it%
Tune the cams or wheels timing% Both cams should per$orm together at the
same time when drawing and releasing the arrow% Check i$ both cams reach
$ull draw and rolls o#er together7 i$ not& then cable ad(ustments or
replacements may be needed% Cam timing is not re'uired $or single cam
bows%
Set up the bow sight% *nsure that the sight bar and the bubble o$ the scope
are s'uare to the bow string% Set the scope"s ais planes accurately by
aligning the scope to the peep sight& ensuring the bubble is s'uare to the
sight bar and scope lens should be s'uare to the eye%
Test your bow% Try and test your compound bow% 8ore ad(ustments
according to your ability or to your liking can be done as you practice
shooting arrows%

Tips.Warnings:
Compound bow per$orms at its best when in its maimum weight%
2or older compound bows& when you change the bow weight you also change
the draw length and #ice #ersa7 howe#er& this is no longer the case with
modern compound bows%
To ease the ad(ustment process o$ the bow"s weight& set the tiller to !ero
which will allow you to easily ad(ust the wheel timing $ollowed by the nocking
point%
9osted on: 5o#% :;& 1:/: