Although some traditional bows use a type of braided bow string called a Flemish Bow String made from a natural fiber, all modern compound bows feature both strings and cables made from a synthetic fiber called Dacron which is much stronger than the natural material used.
Thus, these strings and cables are called “Fast Flight” stings and cables.
However, even Dacron bow strings eventually need to be replaced and thus, in order to replace the string on a compound bow, you will need both a new string of the correct length and a bow press.
Thus, it should be noted that the length of both the string and cable are printed on the inside of the bottom limb on all modern compound bows.
Table Of Contents
1. Step one
The first step to replacing the string on your compound bow is to place your bow in your bow press.
For those of you who are not familiar with this device, they consist of both bench and portable models and each type operates differently.
For instance, a bench mounted bow press has a horizontal bar at the bottom with two angled arms on either side that slide back and forth on the horizontal bar and which have a rubber roller at the end.
Also, there is a manually operated winch mounted in the center that controls two steel cables which are wrapped around pulleys on either side and which have nylon harnesses on the ends which the operator wraps around the bow’s riser before tightening the cables with the winch.
This, in turn, pulls the bow’s riser down and compresses the bow’s limbs which relieves the pressure on the bow string.
2. Step two
Once the pressure on the string is relieved, you will then need to examine the cam on each end where you will see a small, round, stud machined from the side of the cam.
Once located, you will need to remove the bow string’s loop from the metal stud. However, although compound bow strings do on have a top and bottom loop like a recurve or long bow string, it’s still very important that you note which direction the string is routed around the cam as you remove it so that you can replace the new string in the correct manner.
3. Step three
To replace the new string, first place one string loop onto one of the studs on one of the cams while making certain to route it in the correct manner.
Then, grasp the other end by the serving just below the other string loop and then twist the string five to fifteen times.
Then, route the string in the correct manner around the other cam and place the string loop on the stud.
4. Step four
Slowly loosen the pressure on the bow’s riser in order to replace the pressure on the bow string.
Then, use a ruler to measure the brace height and, if it’s correct, you are done aside from waxing.
However, if the brace height is too short, then you will need to compress the limbs again, remove the string from one cam, and twist the bow string some more.
But, if the brace height is too long, then you will need to remove some of the twits that you originally placed in the string and, you will need to repeat this process until you have the correct brace height for your particular model of bow.
5. Step five
Last, once you have the correct brace height set, then you will need to wax the bow string.
To do this, you will need a stick of bow string wax which you will then rub liberally up and down the bow string both above and below the center serving and on all sides.
Then, you will need to grasp the bow string tightly with your thumb and index finger and then move them up and down the string vigorously until the heat generated by the friction melts the wax and causes it to impregnate the bow string.
Then, once you have the bow string properly waxed, you are ready to shoot!
But, it should be noted that it will require some time for the string to stretch to its final length and thus, the point of impact will vary until it does.