Limb problems

[FunTee]

I have to say that even though I think there have been some misunderstandings in this thread, I am VERY impressed with Border's customer service. I've never even shot any of Border's limbs but from reading this thread I would be happy to buy some, which leads to my slightly off topic question:

I'm based in Hampshire and I was wondering if you have a stockist in the south of England as it's a bit of a hike to get up to your store?

Thanks

[Zippo]

I think if you want the latest technology, you'll need to have it shipped to you. But I'm sure the shipping shouldn't cost too much. After all people from all over the world buy from border. Shipping might sting a little, but I guess its worth it.

[buzz lite beer]

Just to re affirm Border Archery have one of the best customer service relations of any manufacturer I've had dealings with, I can imagine like many other manufactures they get there fair share of bogus warranty claims but when the claims appear to be clear cut they bend over to get you shooting as quickly as possible.

[Jay.g]

Originally Posted by Zippo

I think if you want the latest technology, you'll need to have it shipped to you. But I'm sure the shipping shouldn't cost too much. After all people from all over the world buy from border. Shipping might sting a little, but I guess its worth it.

Yep! Soon I should have the first pair of Borders Limbs in New Zealand.

[Dougal]

Thanks for the replies all.
So far I have heard of one set of limbs, other than mine ,that have broken in a similar place, at the limb bolt.That was a set of Hoyts.

Ever since I got the bow, whenever I string it, I "predraw" it before shooting the first arrow, but don't release the string.I check the bracing height, shoot 6 arrows and then adjust the bracing height again. From then on , the bracing height never moves.

About 9 months ago, I had readjusted the string as described.I shot one arrow, then on the second the string came off and the limbs flew down the hall.Obviously I hadn't checked the string in the nock carefully enough and it slipped. From what you've said, maybe thats what caused the limb to break.
We'll never know for sure I suppose.If thats the case though there must be lots of limbs out here of all makes in potential breakdown.

I know a lot of archers are very "into" the technicalities of the sport, how everything works and the theories behind them.I'm one of those archers who just shoots the arrow, a bit like those people who can drive, enjoy driving, but couldn't tell you for all the tea in China how the petrol they put in one end of the car makes the wheels go round.

[BorderBows]

Dougal
We are happy to stand by our offer of help. We are not sure what caused this break, it could have been your accident, but again we are not sure.
Its our job to help build a good solid product, both in the field and after.
We have a solid product, and we strive to continually make it better.
We are outside the legal/obligational responcability of these limbs, but by the nature of them having the Border name on them and you being a direct border customer, we want to help.

There must be alot of limbs with big questions as to there relaibility due to a misshap. Most will probably be OK, some will bite some time in the future. It would take continual monitoring with very very expensive gear of every limb to work out if they were safe.

Look at motor bike helmets. just a little drop and you should get a new one...
Looks fine, feels, fine, probably fine, just dont know.
It would be easy for us to say, ah yes that caused the it. But that wouldnt correct due to the doubt as to what caused it.
These limbs have seen (from what you have said) alot of use, and have also had a misshap, They are also getting quite long in the tooth. There are alot of things in there that we cant predict. A reason for a breakage would be pure speculation.

[Dougal]

At todays SAA champs, I spoke to 2 dozen or so archers, some internationals , some coaches, and one well known archer/archery retailer.
Nobody has seen a break in that part of a limb, in any make of limb.Hoyts and W&W limbs have been known to break but slightly further down the limb,maybe 3 inches down from the bolt.

So it seems at the moment that I am unique, (always knew I was)
I would love to know what caused the break, so I can avoid doing whatever I've done.I suppose with hundreds of thousands of limbs out there, somewhere, one will break.

I did not intend casting doubts on Border or their skill and workmanship, as stated earlier their response has been fantastic.

[buzz lite beer]

If the limbs had "flew off down the hall" the forces required to not only throw them there would obviously be immense but along with that they would have to continuously rattle to and fro in the limb pocket about the dovetail dowel to get out in the first place subjecting them to huge stresses in one particular area. Any limb made from any material would be lucky to survive without any internal structural damage occurring.

[Dougal]

Originally Posted by buzz lite beer

If the limbs had "flew off down the hall" the forces required to not only throw them there would obviously be immense but along with that they would have to continuously rattle to and fro in the limb pocket about the dovetail dowel to get out in the first place subjecting them to huge stresses in one particular area. Any limb made from any material would be lucky to survive without any internal structural damage occurring.

So anybody who has had a string break at full draw COULD expect their limbs to break? How many people in that instance would put those limbs to one side, and buy another set?

As already said, my technical knowledge is sparse so forgive me....when you release the string , the arrow tip moves directly forward, not sideways , not rattling about.The string prevents the limb tip from moving upwards out of the limb pocket as its attached to the bottom limb, doing the same job there.
Without the string to restrict its forward movement, the limb tip will continue to travel at speed away from the riser.Whether the limbs leave the pockets is don to the depth of the pockets.As the limb leaves the pocket, its under very little stress sideways, most of it is backwards and forwards.

I say it again, my limb has broken across the thickest part, where the bolt is.I assume its the thickest part in order to deal with the stresses it suffers, and equally, I would have assumed that the weakest bit, and therefore the bit most likely to break, would be somewhere else.

[danilo5t]

Hi Dougal,
I am new to this forum and this is my first post, I am an italian archer.
I think that your limb's breakage is not common but it may happen after a string failure, the limb tips free of the string moved at high speed forward putting enormous stress on the limb bolt which was the only point that secured the limbs to the bow, no wonder they broke, they are not made of stainless steel or titanium and of course they are not meant to take that kind of abuse which is particularly severe on a high speed limb.
What to do to avoid in the future?
Well, the string is critical, in the old days of kevlar archers passed most of their time string making, nowdays with the new string materials we think strings last forever, that is not true, my advise to you is to make your string yourself, sizing the end loops to match the limb tip groove, I find that commercial strings loops are too big, since they must fit different make of limbs.
bye.