How Make a Bow Press

A bow press is a necessary tool if you wish to perform any repairs to your compound bow or if you simply need to change your bowstring. A bow press allows you to compress the limbs of the bow until the string is slack so you can remove the string or work on any other parts under tension such as the pulleys. You can construct your own bow press using a pipe clamp and a few other parts.

Things You'll Need

  • 4-inch by 14 1/4-inch by 1 1/2-inch oak board
  • Table saw
  • Drill with hole saw bits
  • 3/4-inch pipe clamp
  • 3/4-inch by 60-inch black pipe
  • Heavy duty adhesive
  • 8-inch by 8-inch indoor/outdoor carpet
  • 4 3/4-inch wood screws
  • Grease
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Instructions

    • 1

      Cut the piece of oak so you have two blocks that are 3/12-inches wide, 7-inches long and 1 1/2-inches thick.

    • 2

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

    • 3

      Drill a 3/4-inch hole in the center of each block, 4 1/8-inches from the bottom edge. This will form the bottom of the cam channel in a later step.

    • 4

      Cut the cam channel with the table saw. Create a slot from the top of each wood block to the 3/4-inch holes drilled in Step 3.

    • 5

      Cut a 1/4-inch deep notch into each blocks' face 1-inch from the top edge.

    • 6

      Adjust the table saw to a 7 degree angle. Cut another notch into the top of each lock down until it meets the notches cut in Step 5. This creates a shelf for the bow's limbs.

    • 7

      Spread adhesive to the face of each bow limb shelf cut into the blocks of wood. Cover with indoor/outdoor carpeting and allow to dry.

    • 8

      Drill two 11/64-inch holes into the faces of both ends of the pipe clamp. These will be used to attach the wood blocks to the end of the pipe clamp.

    • 9

      Transfer the pipe clamp hole positions to the backs of oak blocks. Drill 1/8-inch pilot holes 1-inch deep into the wooden blocks at the transferred marks.

    • 10

      Attach the clamp ends to the wooden blocks with the wood screws.

    • 11

      Grease the pipe at the screw end.