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People that own a bow press

Andrew920

Well-Known Member
SH Member
Sep 26, 2022
397
996
93
Michigan
I’m fairly new to archery/hunting. I’ve set up a little home workshop. I cut and fletch my arrows, monkey around a bit with my bow as well. I’m interested in being able to replace my strings, and do my own work on my bow. Bow presses are pretty expensive. I’m wondering if it’s worth the money to own a press. Seems like a press is a tool that would get infrequent use, which would make it a poor investment. I could be wrong, so how often to you actually use your press?
 

Samcirrus

Well-Known Member
Vendor Rep
SH Member
Apr 14, 2020
1,561
2,593
113
36
I just got one here on a classified.... I've used it 5 times already in 4 weeks. Thats 5 1 hr trips. It hasn't paid for itself yet, but give it a year and yes you'll be glad you had one. Especially if you have a circle of friends that'll use it.
 

MattMan81

Well-Known Member
SH Member
Jan 13, 2020
5,073
9,816
113
The Mitten
Do it. I finally got one and I love it! I used a bow master for the last 4 years. Wish I would have purchased one sooner. AT has a big section on how to DIY several styles. I purchased a jack to build my own. But picked a used one up for $100.
If all you are ever gonna press is a bow, that ez green can be found on sale for less than $400. I was gonna get one, but it didn't do cross bows.
With the kids shooting bows, and how much I don't trust bow shops, it was an easy choice for me.
 

Cajunyankee

Well-Known Member
SH Member
Dec 5, 2017
768
728
93

I use this press and have swapped bow string, top hats, etc. it’s a cheaper option and doesn’t take up much space.
 

BackSpasm

Well-Known Member
SH Member
Apr 10, 2019
1,672
3,746
113
33
Tennessee

I use this press and have swapped bow string, top hats, etc. it’s a cheaper option and doesn’t take up much space.
I want a big boy press one day but my synunm has stood in the gap for cam swaps, axle checks, string changes, peep installations, you name it
 
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Samcirrus

Well-Known Member
Vendor Rep
SH Member
Apr 14, 2020
1,561
2,593
113
36
I built my own couple years ago and it is soo awesome to finally have a press. I would totally recommend it.
I looked into and began to collect materials to do so, but then I've been having to do 60+ hr weeks for the last month so I figured me spending x hours building vs x hours of overtime would equal a bow press....so I cheated and bought one.
 

HuumanCreed

Well-Known Member
SH Member
Aug 21, 2020
2,724
5,028
113
40
Westminster Maryland
If you're not in a hurry or have the time, building one is great. You dont even need to have the ability to weld. Its not going to look as pretty but bolts work just as well.

But honestly $400 for a press is probably one of the best value for your archery passion!

Switching out the wheel for a hand drill is my need mod myself!
 

Arrowsquirrel

Well-Known Member
SH Member
Feb 5, 2019
1,045
1,829
113
32
I looked into and began to collect materials to do so, but then I've been having to do 60+ hr weeks for the last month so I figured me spending x hours building vs x hours of overtime would equal a bow press....so I cheated and bought one.
That's was a smart choice. I would not build one again. I'm glad I did now that it's done but by the time I got materials and all the labor it takes it would have been much better to just buy one. 1000109217.jpg
 

Stump06

Well-Known Member
Jan 15, 2018
316
408
63
35
SE GA
I love having a press to do my own work. Changing the strings are not bad. One piece of advice I'll give is take a bunch of pics of your rig before you do anything. That way you can look back and tell if you're putting them on correctly. It is a tool that gets used sparingly but when I need it, I am glad I have it. I love being able to do all my work in house
 

Andrew920

Well-Known Member
SH Member
Sep 26, 2022
397
996
93
Michigan
Interesting answers. I’m definitely leery of the string presses. If I get one it’ll be the last chance pack n go press I think. I’m lucky that I have 2 trusted shops within 20 min of me, but I prefer to work on my own weapons.
 
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87v6bird

Member
Jul 25, 2020
52
86
18
34
AL
I use a bike clamp and a Bowmaster G2. That combo has done every bit of the tuning on my bow. I couldn't justify the price of a standard press to myself and so far have not found an instance where my setup isn't sufficient.
 

raisins

Well-Known Member
SH Member
Jan 17, 2019
6,284
8,115
113
47
I’m fairly new to archery/hunting. I’ve set up a little home workshop. I cut and fletch my arrows, monkey around a bit with my bow as well. I’m interested in being able to replace my strings, and do my own work on my bow. Bow presses are pretty expensive. I’m wondering if it’s worth the money to own a press. Seems like a press is a tool that would get infrequent use, which would make it a poor investment. I could be wrong, so how often to you actually use your press?

I'd get a press. I used a cheap portable one for years and they stink. I wish I'd gotten a LCA EZ Green years ago.

You only use it a few times a year, most likely, but when you do use it then it is great and keeps you out of bow shops. This saves you money and eventually you'll be better at working on your own gear than the average bow shop employee (unless it is the shop owner, they usually don't pay the techs well enough for folks to stick around and really develop expertise).

If you plan on shooting for a long time, then a press should (until they redesign bows) be a one and done investment.