Disclaimer; I am not a DIY guy. I will pay more to just have it work correctly when I pull it out of the box. I have the Pac Press that I bought brand new with all of the items they (he) sells to go with it, about two years ago. If I had to do it again, I would buy one from a company that actually manufactures them. Mine works, but its like a DIY project, and I have had to do several things to it, to make it function correctly.
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Bow Presses
- Thread starter Plebe
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I don't doubt you at all but can you explain what things you had to do to it to make it work properly?
Yes. Putting the pieces together was very difficult due to the "white pieces" of plastic stuck to the inside of the tubes to make every thing fit tightly. I ended up having to remove them with a screw driver to get the pieces to fit together. This solved the problem, but obviously, made the fit sloppy. The handle started grinding to the point that metal shavings were coming out of it after the second time I used it. Called the guy and he told me to take the handle off and completely remove the long threaded rod that extends and retracts the "arm", flip the washers, and put it back together. I did, and it fixed it temporarily. Had it happen again, did the same thing again, and it worked great for a little while. Swapped it again, and its currently working for the handful of times I have used it recently. During this process, the "arm" got to where it didn't want to pull out from the sleeve for me to swap the threaded rod. The last time I did it I had to put one end in a vise and pull the other end to get them to separate. I was honestly to the point of putting a winch to it to get them to pull apart. During this time, I had to break out the hammer and gently tap on the top of the arm, wiggle it, pull it a couple of inches. and repeat the process - took a while. To be honest, I haven't really used it too much after that for fear that I wont be able to get it back together, and since its currently working........... I see guys using one hand to turn the "crank" and press their bows, and there is no way I could do that with my press. Thought about sending it back and just letting him go through it, but by the time I pay for shipping back and forth etc..... I could probably buy a used one locally. There are some good features about it, but for the money I spent, I guess I feel like it should work like a manufactured one. Just my experience.
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Huh, you must have a different model than mine. There are no plastic pieces inside any tubes on mine. The main arms are one piece. The foldable upper arms that actually press the limbs slide along the main arms. There are angled set bolts that you tighten to the main arm once you have the width adjusted for the particular bow you are trying to press. On my press there are three of these angled set bolts that you tighten down to make it very solid. The adjustable arms slide along the main arm very easily when these bolts are untightened. The jack I have on mine is not hydraulic but it is also very robust. Maybe he has changed things a lot from my model. At the time I originally bought mine he didn't have the fingers that ride along the end of the limbs much like the LCA presses work, he had the "U" Brackets which work fine but I like the upgrade of the fingers that cradle the end of the limb better. Both work fine however in my experience. I also like that you have coated riser pins that you can adjust which provide better stability IMHO.
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I keep thinking about an LCA press, but the one thing that keeps me using this cheaper setup is the bow is more contained / feels safer. Right now shooting Xpeditions that are way past parallel… do folks feel comfortable with the bows just hanging in the LCAs? The worst thing about this Apple press is loosening draw stops every dang time I press it, otherwise it works just fine…
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He must have a linear model. I have the same pac press as you. The u shaped fingers. I priced his linear presses this week and decided to pass on one. I can get an ez green and add a hand wheel to it for less. Maybe his are better maybe not but I’ve used several LCA presses and like them. No slop and smooth. As far as the safety bar or whatever he calls it that goes under the riser to secure it from jumping out the bottom can be fabricated in mere minutes and added to the LCA press without welding to it and voiding warranty. I’ll go with a well known company for my next press. I’m all for supporting the small guys in most cases but this isn’t one of those times. Especially since I have several more weeks waiting on my new Athens.
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@woodsdog2, I appreciate you following up on pac-press availability. Truth be told, I've read a lot of good stuff about them, but they're hard to get a solid read on, probably because of the numerous iterations as well as generally a lack of official media demonstrating the product.
What I'm seeing from the field is...
The Specialty Archery Products Pro Press is the most adjustable press on the market for all bow lengths and limb angles. And handles X-bows. Seems to manage solutions for containing all varieties of bows pretty well. Also approved by all the manufacturers listing approved presses (that I've seen). The drawbacks are size and expense, priced highest, at $970.
The Howard's Total Vice Bow Press Work Station isn't far behind in cost, at $850 + $63 for the axis knuckle. But it's a fuller package with 3rd axis adjustment and an included draw board mode, one that doesn't rely on a separate winch, which seems possibly a more reliable design than others. It can manage bows of all lengths as well as x-bows, and is more streamlined by design than the Pro Press, but lacks the range of adjustment that the Pro Press provides, in particular where pressure is applied by the fingers. I don't see it listed as approved by manufacturers, but it seems like it would work pretty well for most bows nonetheless.
Last Chance Archery presses...until you get to the Ultimate EZ Press at $785, you're limited in what you can work on and the cost of extra components or separate presses soon catches up if you're working on a variety of stuff. And even then, limb adapters may be required, at extra expense. Yet, they're the most abundantly used press, very well respected overall, and produced by a veteran owned company. Some issues with the builds have been reported, mostly in their economy lineup. Containment and adjustability lag the Pro Press. Approved by all manufacturer (that I've seen).
SniperArchery 5.1 Pro Press, looks like a well built, space efficient design with a lot of capability. But being direct order from Spain and little reviewed, a risk, and not a small one at the cost plus shipping.
All in all, I wish I had a better handle on the pac press, because it's a bargain compared to the field.
What I'm seeing from the field is...
The Specialty Archery Products Pro Press is the most adjustable press on the market for all bow lengths and limb angles. And handles X-bows. Seems to manage solutions for containing all varieties of bows pretty well. Also approved by all the manufacturers listing approved presses (that I've seen). The drawbacks are size and expense, priced highest, at $970.
The Howard's Total Vice Bow Press Work Station isn't far behind in cost, at $850 + $63 for the axis knuckle. But it's a fuller package with 3rd axis adjustment and an included draw board mode, one that doesn't rely on a separate winch, which seems possibly a more reliable design than others. It can manage bows of all lengths as well as x-bows, and is more streamlined by design than the Pro Press, but lacks the range of adjustment that the Pro Press provides, in particular where pressure is applied by the fingers. I don't see it listed as approved by manufacturers, but it seems like it would work pretty well for most bows nonetheless.
Last Chance Archery presses...until you get to the Ultimate EZ Press at $785, you're limited in what you can work on and the cost of extra components or separate presses soon catches up if you're working on a variety of stuff. And even then, limb adapters may be required, at extra expense. Yet, they're the most abundantly used press, very well respected overall, and produced by a veteran owned company. Some issues with the builds have been reported, mostly in their economy lineup. Containment and adjustability lag the Pro Press. Approved by all manufacturer (that I've seen).
SniperArchery 5.1 Pro Press, looks like a well built, space efficient design with a lot of capability. But being direct order from Spain and little reviewed, a risk, and not a small one at the cost plus shipping.
All in all, I wish I had a better handle on the pac press, because it's a bargain compared to the field.
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I think your synopses of all the options out there is absolutely spot on @Plebe. All have pros and cons. I like the Howard's too from my reviews of his videos. Seems like very high quality and has a lot of the pressing versatility of the pac press but also a draw board and axis adjustments. Kind of a melding of the LCA with draw board, pac press and super build and look quality of the Sniper. But yeah, $913 plus shipping costs is a basically a new flagship. I think a decent press is a good investment and if you can get a couple of buddies in on it for all of your use that can help defray some of those initial costs. I've found that I can charge my buddies and their buddies a little bit to do some bow work for them and it helps me recoup some of that initial investment.
Now not to change the subject or derail the thread on presses but man, what are any of your thoughts on a shooting machine? Absolutely not a need whatsoever I know but I keep getting a digital flyer from the folks at Coop's Bowsmith and I tell ya, its tempting. I think it would be fantastic to set up a bow completely to spec and test it through the machine then you know issues are you and your form not the bow. The confidence that would bring people and in my opinion in the long run, the money it would save as it would make people really start to look at their form and shooting rather than trying to buy their way out of problems. A lot of money but I'm curious what others who like to work on their own gear think about them and then also the options that are available. The only two I am aware of are Spott Hogg's Hooter Shooter and the Coop's Bowsmith. Their full package also has a fold away paper tuning frame that you can also mount your chrono for speed testing and figuring KE, M and other useful information for your system and others.
Now not to change the subject or derail the thread on presses but man, what are any of your thoughts on a shooting machine? Absolutely not a need whatsoever I know but I keep getting a digital flyer from the folks at Coop's Bowsmith and I tell ya, its tempting. I think it would be fantastic to set up a bow completely to spec and test it through the machine then you know issues are you and your form not the bow. The confidence that would bring people and in my opinion in the long run, the money it would save as it would make people really start to look at their form and shooting rather than trying to buy their way out of problems. A lot of money but I'm curious what others who like to work on their own gear think about them and then also the options that are available. The only two I am aware of are Spott Hogg's Hooter Shooter and the Coop's Bowsmith. Their full package also has a fold away paper tuning frame that you can also mount your chrono for speed testing and figuring KE, M and other useful information for your system and others.
+1 for the LCA Easy Green, worth the wait.
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I have been very happy with my LCA pack and go I got from podium archery. JJ is so great to deal with.
I am no pro but I love being able to put a twist in the string if needed. I like the pack and go because I take it to my hunting camp to help out others.
I also like buying from LCA because he is an Air Force Veteran as well.
I am no pro but I love being able to put a twist in the string if needed. I like the pack and go because I take it to my hunting camp to help out others.
I also like buying from LCA because he is an Air Force Veteran as well.
I’m glad for this thread as I was just about to pull the trigger on a monster press. Got me second guessing
Anybody near Fredericksburg VA there's a listing on craigslist for a nice press.
https://fredericksburg.craigslist.org/spo/d/quantico-bow-press-and-draw-board/7470399915.html
https://fredericksburg.craigslist.org/spo/d/quantico-bow-press-and-draw-board/7470399915.html
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I think this is a great option as well!!
- Joined
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I would contact him if you have concerns and be honest about them. If he doesn't shoot straight with you, you do have many other options. The build quality is excellent of my Monster Pac Press though I have to say. I also have to tell you that when I received my LCA EZ Green, the surface paint at the attachment was already rusting and flaked off. I'm not trying to bad mouth LCA at all I do really like my EZ green but it isn't always gold that glitters either. Should I have called them and told them about it? PRobably, but it is such a minimal issue I didn't. The rust hasn't increased in size or anything but to spend that kind of $$ on a brand new press through LAS, shipped factory direct from LCA, it was a little disappointing.
That’s a killer price
Ugh. Why WHY did you have to post this. I’m like…..40 minutes from there
LOL. That press alone is 650 or so and a draw board is 230.
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It's a good deal...but if you want to press xbows and unusual stuff like short Gearhead bows, it'll still cost more.
I think that's my hang up with LCA. By the time you get a kit together that will handle most everything...the really expensive stuff is in the mix and maybe handles some of the stuff better. I do like Veteran Owned, so that's a plus for them to me.