Bow maintenance -

[psebow]

okay, so I bought a used bow last year and went into a local archery shop (not going to name it) to look at some new bows and they mentioned I for sure should get my used bow into get the cams oiled and the bow strings looked at.  They recommened if you use your bow a lot that the strings should be replaced yearly. 

Bascially, it will cost me over $100+ a year to get my bow oiled and re-strung (not to mention all the "other stuff" they will find wrong with it)?  Does this sound reasonable?  Thanks

I am not sure about the oiling but I don't use my bow that much and everything I read said that bow strings should last for a few years.  Am I wrong or was this shop just trying to get my business?  Thanks for the help

[HD]

I bought my pse thunder flight when they were first introduced, I swapped out the string for a zebra twist and have not changed it yet.
(the bow is over 10 years old)

I always check my string before I use my bow (bows) and maintain it with string wax.
Just make sure you check for fraying and wear.

I hope this helps, as for oiling, I put a few drops on every year and havn't had a problem.

It's just what I do, so I would wait to see what everybody else has for input.

Hunter

[Mayfly]

As far as new string goes this is what I was told...

I have had the same bow for almost 10 years now and this last fall I took it into my local shop and he said that next year I should think about getting new strings. I cannot imagine why you would need new strings every year unless they are really bad strings to begin with or if they have been damaged somehow.

[Randy Kaar]

i got a new bow 4 years ago and still have the original string
on it. i think about time to get a "tune up" on it. this summer
a trip to mnarchery will be in the plan! my buddy rickhead is
in the market for a new bow.

randy aka bh

[Mayfly]

Ya know....psebow.

Why not tell us who is feeding you this line of crap?? Protect your fellow outdoorsman.

[Super Star!]

wow what a joke.. I got some ocean front property here to right off of 494... lol

i shoot my bow almost every day of the year try to shoot about 30 times and i have yet to get a new string ever and i have only had about 5 differnt bows. i could see on a old one but a new one.. i would say the shop is hard up for money and would never step foot in there again....

talk to the MN ARCHERY guys on here there good people i have sent them pms and talked with them on the phone. always a great help and in no way do they tell me to buy this and that...

[repoman]

im interested in knowing who fed the line of crap to you . oil only costs about 5.99 and bowstring wax about 4.99 you can do all that by yourself it takes 5 min tops . and i never hear of changeing your string unless its frayed or broke , as long as you keep it waxed you shouldent have any probs.   

[Cody Gruchow]

well it all depends on how much you shoot. i shoot atleast 4 times a week year round and i have had this bow for about 3 years and i have replaced the string every year it only cost me about 80 dollars and they wax the string also. and for oiling you should be able to do it yourself, as for this archery shop, they are probally just making recommendations and i couldnt imagine a shop doing something without your permission.

[tripnchip]

PSE, i have had my bow for a bout 5 years now and yes lat year i did put new string and cable on it.It was all in good shape but had strected, so I replaced it. I don't remember exactly what I pid for zebra string and cable but it was over 100 installed. Having to change every year is a crock, maybe for a compition shooter it might be true but not the average guy. If you do go new string go the best you can aford, it will last longer and wont stretch like cheaper ones. As for the oiling and waxing that should be part of puting a new string on. As stated you can wax and oil things  yourself.

[MnArch]

Hey PSE,  Here's what's going on......You may need a new string.  Each bow company uses a different string company for their bows, some are in-house strings.  But the fact of the matter is each bow is a little different and the strings have experienced different lives, so replacement intervals vary. I've seen hard-core hunters wear out a string in one season. Same goes for year-round and tournament archers. They use their bows more than average. Some don't bother waxing, and the strings can wear out pretty fast. (rubbing on clothing really gets them).  So you may need a new string. We make string replacement recommendations based on condition for the most part. They cost anywhere from $10-$80 depending on which material you choose and which string the bow requires.  At my shop Minnesota Archery I personally hand make each string that goes on a bow.  You have your choice (one or two colors) of over 25 colors and each string is pre-stretched so you don't need to spend a month shooting your strings in.  And, I don't charge for set-up when I put our strings on. (Peep intalled, adjusted, served in..... nock height adjusted, installation of string loop, cam or cams adjusted, center shot checked, installation of string dampeners, etc.) All said and done, it adds up to a bit of work to get the job done really well, so eighty... or even a hundred bucks like your quote is certainly not some kind of scam, as long as all the details are attended to and depending on your setup.

As far as getting your bow oiled........you may be getting fed a bit of a line. Most people take a non-scented oil and put 2 drops between your cam and bow limb and charge you 10 bucks. Any person in the world could do this for free. If they need to remove the cams for some reason, that's a different story. In all reality, many bows say right in the owners manual DO NOT OIL CAMS.  But it all depends on whether or not you have a sealed ball bearing or what kind of bushing your cam is equipped with.  If your bow's bushings do require lubrication, I use a passive restraint grease. It's formulated for metal-to-nylon contact (nylon bushings) and it hangs a lot better than oil because of its density. Sealed ball bearings are just that......sealed. No lube required.

I wax my customers strings for free, but if you want to buy a tube of string wax it costs under $4.

Just a little info, 
Matt

[repoman]

Hey PSE,  Here's what's going on......You may need a new string.  Each bow companye uses a different string company for their bows, some are in-house string.  But the fact of the matter is each bow is a little different and the strings have experienced different lives.  So you may need a new string.  They cost anywhere from $10-$80 depending on which material you choose and which sting the bow requires.  At my shop Minnesota Archery I personally hand make each string that goes on a bow.  You have your choice of over 25 colors and each string is pre-stretched so you don't need to spend a month shooting your strings in.  And, I don't charge for set-up when I put your strings on.

As far as getting your bow oiled........Your probably getting fed a line.  Most people take a non-scented oil and put 2 drops between your cam and bow limb and charge you 10 bucks. Any person in the world could do this for free.  In all reality, most bows say right in the owners manual DO NOT OIL CAMS.  But it all depends on weather or not you have a sealed ball bearing or what kind of bushing your cam is equipped with.  If your bow does require cam lubrication, I use a passive restraint grease.  It hangs a lot better than oil because of its density. 

I wax my customers strings for free, but if you want to buy a tube of string wax it cost's under $4.

Just a little info, 
Matt

words from the wise 

[Faceman]

I tell you what, i dont do alot of shooting or hunting yet with my bow but when I do more and start needing more things and service, I am definately going to MNArch. I have only heard good things about them and they pretty honest.

[psebow]

Wow, this is a lot of great information!  I really appreciate it.  I would love to go to MN Archery but I live in the cities and so heading to Litchfield to get my bow tuned-up wouldn't be ideal (but if I buy a new bow would consider a trip to MN Archery!)?  Does anyone have a recommendation for a local twin cities archery shop?

It's funny, I am a new bow hunter and will probably spend hundreds of dollars at the right shop.  The one shop I went to in the north metro just didn't feel right and didn't pass the smell test.  I know I am new, but teach me how to oil my bow don't tell me that your the professional and that I should have them do it.  Learning is part of the fun, don't get me wrong - I am not a professional and it probably is a good idea to get a pro to look at your bow but atleast tell me you are willing to teach me.  Sorry, just going off a little :) 

thanks for all the help - this website is the BEST! 

[Super Star!]

Wow, this is a lot of great information!  I really appreciate it.  I would love to go to MN Archery but I live in the cities and so heading to Litchfield to get my bow tuned-up wouldn't be ideal (but if I buy a new bow would consider a trip to MN Archery!)?  Does anyone have a recommendation for a local twin cities archery shop?

It's funny, I am a new bow hunter and will probably spend hundreds of dollars at the right shop.  The one shop I went to in the north metro just didn't feel right and didn't pass the smell test.  I know I am new, but teach me how to oil my bow don't tell me that your the professional and that I should have them do it.  Learning is part of the fun, don't get me wrong - I am not a professional and it probably is a good idea to get a pro to look at your bow but atleast tell me you are willing to teach me.  Sorry, just going off a little :) 

thanks for all the help - this website is the BEST! 

Id  make the trip to Mnarch

[JohnWester]

Wow, this is a lot of great information!  I really appreciate it.  I would love to go to MN Archery but I live in the cities and so heading to Litchfield to get my bow tuned-up wouldn't be ideal (but if I buy a new bow would consider a trip to MN Archery!)?  Does anyone have a recommendation for a local twin cities archery shop?

It's funny, I am a new bow hunter and will probably spend hundreds of dollars at the right shop.  The one shop I went to in the north metro just didn't feel right and didn't pass the smell test.  I know I am new, but teach me how to oil my bow don't tell me that your the professional and that I should have them do it.  Learning is part of the fun, don't get me wrong - I am not a professional and it probably is a good idea to get a pro to look at your bow but atleast tell me you are willing to teach me.  Sorry, just going off a little :) 

thanks for all the help - this website is the BEST! 

psebow...
I live in Hastings and I went out there on a weekend.  just head out in the morning and plan on making a partial day of it.  Go out there, have whatever done, and shoot at the range.  It only took me an hour and a half to get there from Hastings, and I think it was well worth it.  Look at it this way, if you go to another shop, you'll want them to have a range to try things out, and you'll probably spend a half day or better there anyway... so why not Minnesota Archery?  they know what they are talking about and will get it right on your setup.

[Grute Man]

Take the trip to Litchfield PSEBOW.  I know of a few shops here in the cities but they pale in comparison to Minnesota Archery.  Matt and Barry will give you the best service and advice.  Like John was saying, just make a partial or a day of it.  I took my daughter out there and spent a few quality hours with her.  She keeps asking to go back and we will.  We stopped on the way home and had dinner.  It was a great day.

ROAD TRIP!!!   

Grute