Help!! New bow won't string!

spenceinva · Post by **spenceinva** » Thu Aug 17, 2006 6:05 pm

Got a new Vixen in the mail today, all was well until I tried to string it and I'm running out of daylight. I have the package with the stringing aidd but it appears I can't shorten the aid enough to get the limbs back enough to allow the string to go on, about a 1/2 shy. Anybody got a clue what to do?

Thanks,
Spence

Bucko · Post by **Bucko** » Thu Aug 17, 2006 6:20 pm

I had the same problem with my Phoenix except When I shortened the stringer a slight amount,I had achieved more flex in the limbs and had enough room to easily put the string on.

Take a break and sit back and reevaluate the situation,I'm sure it's something minor

spenceinva · Post by **spenceinva** » Thu Aug 17, 2006 6:27 pm

I've been taking a break for the last 1.5 hours, I have shortened the aid as much as I can and still get it on the bow and it still won't string. This sucks, one of the reasons I went with Excalibur is the ease of string change, not with this bow. I have two strings and neither will fit.

Spence

GaryL · Post by **GaryL** » Thu Aug 17, 2006 6:39 pm

spenceinva wrote:I've been taking a break for the last 1.5 hours, I have shortened the aid as much as I can and still get it on the bow and it still won't string. This sucks, one of the reasons I went with Excalibur is the ease of string change, not with this bow. I have two strings and neither will fit.

Spence

Measure your strings, they just might be the WRONG strings. If you have the stringing aid as short as you can get it and still get it over the limbs, then some thing is wrong if nether string will not fit.

What type of strings do you have ? Black, or mixed color ? any twist in the strings ?

wabi · Post by **wabi** » Thu Aug 17, 2006 7:01 pm

Could be the stringing aid. I had the same problem, and it turned out that the string on the aid was too stretchy. With the Vixen the best way is to hang up the stringing aid, and string it without the aid.
The online video "procedure & safety" at http://excaliburcrossbow.com/demo/listi ... gory_id=47 will show you how.

spenceinva · Post by **spenceinva** » Thu Aug 17, 2006 7:07 pm

Asking the wrong guy on color, I'll give it a try. The one that came with the bow is green? unbraided and on the bow as we speak, I shortened the string aid once it was on the bow, placed it n the trigger and then pulled up by hand on one side until the bow would string. This string is centered and 1/4" inside the marks, closer to the scope end mark. Also the string is resting on the track, is this normal?

The second string is twisted (came w/ right stuff kit) and camo colored? It measure approximately 34.5 inches.

I really appreciate any and all assistance, please forgive my frustration, I just like to play immediately!

Spence

Rich · Post by **Rich** » Thu Aug 17, 2006 8:35 pm

Spence,

Glad to see another VA Excalibur owner. What part of VA are you from? I'm from Gloucester.

Rich

spenceinva · Post by **spenceinva** » Thu Aug 17, 2006 8:56 pm

I'm in Richmond.

Fri Aug 18, 2006 7:51 am

Hi Guys,

The new Excel string is shorter due to the fact it is constructed of dacron. Just make the stringer as short as you can and that should give you enough room to put the string on. In extreame cases you may have to turn the point of the stringer forward, then tighten the string as much as possible and then spin them back into the proper direction. You'll find these strings stretch a lot in the beginning and will be easier to remove and put back on once used. If you're still having problems please contact me.

Peter

gad · Post by **gad** » Fri Aug 18, 2006 10:06 am

spenceinva wrote:...This string is centered and 1/4" inside the marks, closer to the scope end mark. Also the string is resting on the track, is this normal?
Spence

Its ok. You should have now a brace heigh about 1 1/4. Watch the string while shooting. If it passes the half away toward the front mark, your brace heigh may become dangerously short, as it must be at least 1" (1" on my exomax is exactly the middle between the marks). If it happens, just take off the string, give it a few twists (I would do 2 at a time) and put it on the xbow again.

I always watch the xbows with new strings to never go less than 1" brace heigh.

BOB7255KHZ · Post by **BOB7255KHZ** » Fri Aug 18, 2006 11:01 am

My instructions from my Excalibur dealer to putting on the string was this :

String the cocking aid through the limbs....pull back the cocking aid as if to cOck it....until it clicks in the trigger, then put safety on. Now string the new string through the eyelets/loops onto the end of the bow limbs. When aligned , release the safety....CAREFULLY press the trigger while holding the cocking aid string firmly ( and I mean firmly) to let the pressure off gently as it goes down.....the string wants to self align itself.....done. Remove cocking aid. Works for me on my Exocet 200.

My string is at the first line ( closest to the scope ) when it was new.....no twist in it.....and now after couple hundred shots or so....it still remains there, didn't seem to stretch any at all.
BOB

wabi · Post by **wabi** » Fri Aug 18, 2006 12:02 pm

I see Excalibur is finally using what I've favored for a long time - dacron strings! Yes, the dacron stretches more at first, and yes, the dacron is a little slower. But once it settles in, it remains constant for many shots. The dacron has several advantages over fastflight, and if speed isn't the only criteria you use for judging a bow you might soon learn to like dacron. The dacron is quieter, it is much less stressful on limbs, and in the event of the dreaded dry-fire it is much less damaging. I've been using dacron for most of my shooting for a few years now, and finally decided to use it exclusively. I was switching to fastflight for deer hunting, but in reality the added speed is probably insignificant, and the added noise might even make the deer react quicker to the shot. I think this year I'll just leave the dacron string on for my hunting, too.
One thing I would point out is that the dacron string is a larger diameter than fastflight type strings. This means your serving contacts the nock at a slightly higher point than the fastflight did. You may have a slight difference in point of impact when switching strings, so be sure to check accuracy at all ranges. On my old Vixen the sight difference was about 2" elevation @ 25 yards. With the Exocet & Phoenix it's less, but there is a slight change.

excaliburfanatic · Post by **excaliburfanatic** » Fri Aug 18, 2006 12:05 pm

put a little NUT in it

crazyfarmer · Post by **crazyfarmer** » Fri Aug 18, 2006 3:39 pm

i had to shortern my stringer so it just barely was long enough to slip over the limbs. I mean barely also. I had to bend the limb a little to get the plastic peice to slide over it.

im out in warsaw about 1.5hours NE from ya if you ever need help.. Rich is about the same due east from ya

dont try to do to much in oneday.. it takes a few days to get the hang of these bows

exocet · Post by **exocet** » Fri Aug 18, 2006 4:38 pm

BOB7255KHZ wrote:My instructions from my Excalibur dealer to putting on the string was this :

String the cocking aid through the limbs....pull back the cocking aid as if to cOck it....until it clicks in the trigger, then put safety on. Now string the new string through the eyelets/loops onto the end of the bow limbs. When aligned , release the safety....CAREFULLY press the trigger while holding the cocking aid string firmly ( and I mean firmly) to let the pressure off gently as it goes down.....the string wants to self align itself.....done. Remove cocking aid. Works for me on my Exocet 200.

My string is at the first line ( closest to the scope ) when it was new.....no twist in it.....and now after couple hundred shots or so....it still remains there, didn't seem to stretch any at all.
BOB

Hi Bob, this is (octagon) from PA Outdoors!! I am getting my Exocet in about 1-2 weeks!! Are you using the stock string that came with your Exocet? That is the one I am going to use, plus I get an extra one with the Right Stuff pack. I am getting the pack without the scope. Jack.