Any (good) bow Techs around here??

[nu2elite]

So many of the bow shops I visit are more about selling the bow and less about maintaining or repairing the bow. The sales floor takes up 90% of the space and the shop where the work is done is a small spot behind the counter. This bothers me when most of what I read about Elite and other bows says they really need to be on a draw board to accurately check timing. The shops I've been in might not have ever seen a draw board. Thats not saying they are not good Techs but makes me wonder if they can really service my Elite Answer (when I get it)?

Three years ago I bought my first modern compound bow. I had three bad experiences with three different high quality bows. I will take blame for not being educated enough but I believe the Tech really did not know what to do in two of the cases and the third, I just didn't like the bow.

I have done a lot of research and believe that a good bow Tech is as important as having a good bow. IMO a Tech is not someone that can tie in a peep and a D-loop. A Tech knows all the things about a bow that most people never think about. When I buy the Elite Answer, I want a Tech that wants the bow to be as good as it can be. A Tech that checks for cam lean and timing and any other critical part of the bow every time he/she sees the bow. A Tech that is capable of correcting, adjusting, repairing the bow. I don't care if he/she is part of a shop or not. For a change, I want to have confidence in my equipment! When I miss a shot I want to know it's not the bow it's me and I need to work on my stance or grip or whatever.

Is there a recommended Tech around Indianapolis? Anyone want to be that Tech?

[thumper]

Man you are in luck , some of the worlds best tuners happen to be on this forum . One will get ahold of you shortly , I would think . None of them will come on here and say their the best , to much class. You should probably think about starting to work on things yourself . Everyone here is extremly helpful with tuning tip's . With what you pay a pro shop , your equipment pays itself off in no time . Also very satisfying .

[nu2elite]

Yeah, and as the old saying goes: if you want something done right ...........

I know there are plenty of good Techs out there! I just need to find one! I'd like to have a press and nice draw board but pretty costly for me to use 2 or 3 times a year. Then you have to figure in the cost of me screwing something up!

[cokepelli]

Yeah, and as the old saying goes: if you want something done right ...........

I know there are plenty of good Techs out there! I just need to find one! I'd like to have a press and nice draw board but pretty costly for me to use 2 or 3 times a year. Then you have to figure in the cost of me screwing something up!

Not too expensive...Approximately 30 dollars for parts to build a drawboard and a bowmaster bow press won't break the bank. Should be able to do most to all of what you need done.

[bfoot]

So many of the bow shops I visit are more about selling the bow and less about maintaining or repairing the bow. The sales floor takes up 90% of the space and the shop where the work is done is a small spot behind the counter. This bothers me when most of what I read about Elite and other bows says they really need to be on a draw board to accurately check timing. The shops I've been in might not have ever seen a draw board. Thats not saying they are not good Techs but makes me wonder if they can really service my Elite Answer (when I get it)?

Three years ago I bought my first modern compound bow. I had three bad experiences with three different high quality bows. I will take blame for not being educated enough but I believe the Tech really did not know what to do in two of the cases and the third, I just didn't like the bow.

I have done a lot of research and believe that a good bow Tech is as important as having a good bow. IMO a Tech is not someone that can tie in a peep and a D-loop. A Tech knows all the things about a bow that most people never think about. When I buy the Elite Answer, I want a Tech that wants the bow to be as good as it can be. A Tech that checks for cam lean and timing and any other critical part of the bow every time he/she sees the bow. A Tech that is capable of correcting, adjusting, repairing the bow. I don't care if he/she is part of a shop or not. For a change, I want to have confidence in my equipment! When I miss a shot I want to know it's not the bow it's me and I need to work on my stance or grip or whatever.

Is there a recommended Tech around Indianapolis? Anyone want to be that Tech?

You should go to a archery shop rather than a chain. The Elite customer service may be able to recommend a shop in your area. Ask if they use a draw board, if not, do not use the shop. I am amazed at the number of shops that do not have or use one. On Elites, they are a necessity for correct tuning. If they have one and know how to use it chances are they will be able to tune your bow correctly.

[nu2elite]

I agree about not using a chain store. I've never used one. My experience has been, very few shops have a draw board and don't understand the importance. As far as compound bow mechanical knowledge I have very little but I understand how much easier archery life would be if every bow was timed more accurately and tuned correctly. I know, many bows are sold and carried out of shops out of tune/time and performing poorly. The bow performs poorly the customer gets frustrated and gets the opinion that the bow sucks. Really it's the person thats suppose to make sure the bow is set up correctly that sucks. This was one of my bad experiences (another brand). Even I can understand the need to make sure a bow is timed correctly at full draw and thru the cycle. Why can't they? Is it just that most don't care or lack of knowledge?

[cokepelli]

Is it just that most don't care or lack of knowledge?

Probably a bit of both. I have learned by researching and trial and error. I have made mistakes yes but have learned from them. It doesn't take long. Just do your research on what you want to do. Take your time. Take pictures and notes throughout the process. YouTube is a great resource and of course the Elite forums and AT. If you find a good tech then great but since I have learned how to do almost everything by myself I am much happier with the results. There are things I still have to learn, however I know that I will attempt them on my own and if I run into trouble I will run right here and post up my problems. There are many great and knowledgeable people on here to help answer any questions. Good luck!

[bfoot]

Probably a bit of both. I have learned by researching and trial and error. I have made mistakes yes but have learned from them. It doesn't take long. Just do your research on what you want to do. Take your time. Take pictures and notes throughout the process. YouTube is a great resource and of course the Elite forums and AT. If you find a good tech then great but since I have learned how to do almost everything by myself I am much happier with the results. There are things I still have to learn, however I know that I will attempt them on my own and if I run into trouble I will run right here and post up my problems. There are many great and knowledgeable people on here to help answer any questions. Good luck!

Could not agree more. The real solution is to tune your own bow. Fear keeps most from trying but it is not hard and you can make a draw board for as little as $35 including a digital scale (buy the Saga110 on Ebay for 9.99 best out there). To make the best one for about $100 see "The $160 Draw Board" post on AT in the DYI forum.

For a press an inexpensive portable press will work for tuning as long as you are not taking the bow limbs off. The first time you tune your bow it will pay for itself. Download Nuts&Bolts tuning guide free at AT. Best one there is easy to understand and tells all you need to know to tune binary cam bows. About 150 pages. I printed it out and put in a binder and it stays on my workbench. Explains in everyday language all you need to tune as well or better than most shops. If archers knew how easy it was they all would tune their on. No shop will take the time and care you will on your own bow (with a few notable exceptions). Super tuning a bow is taking the time to do it right and that can take a whole day. This is really getting ever bit of performance out of a bow.
If you get a chronograph for another $100 you can "super tune" and get the most speed out of your bow. Suggest the Pro chrono Pal as the most accurate for the price.

If you go this route and need advice pm me and I will be glad to help.

[nu2elite]

cokepelli, thankx yeah these forums are great. you get thousands of knowledgable people all in one place!

bfoot, i guess thats the route i'll have to take.