DIY Wood Bow Press

If you ever need to make repairs to your compound bow or replace a bowstring, you will require a bow press. A bow press compresses the bow's limbs so you can remove the bowstring or other parts that are held under tension. You can build a do-it-yourself wooden bow press with a pipe clamp, pipe and a few other parts. To complete this project, you also will need access to a power drill and a table saw.

Things You'll Need

  • 4-by-14 1/4-by-1 1/2-inch block of hickory
  • Table saw
  • Drill with hole saw bits
  • 3/4-inch pipe clamp
  • 3/4-inch diameter, 60-inch long section of black pipe
  • Adhesive
  • 8-inch piece of indoor/outdoor carpet
  • 4 #8 by 3/4-inch long wood screws
  • Grease
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Instructions

    • 1

      Saw the hickory block into two pieces with the table saw. Each block should be 3/12-by-7-by-1 1/2 inches.

    • 2

      Measure 1 1/16 inches up from the bottom edge of each block and drill a 1 1/8-inch hole in the center of each block.

    • 3

      Drill a 3/4-inch hole, 4 1/8 inches from the bottom edge and in the center of each block.

    • 4

      Form the cam channel in each block with the table saw. Make a cut from the top of each block to the side of the 3/4-inch hole to create a slot in each block.

    • 5

      Cut a notch in the face of each block that is 1 inch from the top of each block and 1/4-inch deep.

    • 6

      Set the table saw to 7 degrees and cut a notch from the top of each block down until you meet the 1/4-inch notch made in the previous step. These notches will function as shelves to hold the bow limbs.

    • 7

      Cut the indoor/outdoor carpeting to fit the bow limb shelves and attach to the face of the shelves with adhesive. Allow it to dry.

    • 8

      Drill two 11/64-inch holes into each outside face of the ends of the pipe clamp.

    • 9

      Mark the pipe clamp hole positions on the backs of hickory blocks. Drill 1/8-inch pilot holes, 1-inch deep, into the hickory blocks where marked.

    • 10

      Screw the ends of the pipe clamp to the hickory blocks with the wood screws. Grease the screw end of the pipe.