9 Best Archery Bow Presses: Essential Tool for Proper Arrow Fit

Choosing the right bow press is crucial for maintaining your archery equipment and ensuring safe, accurate shooting. Our comprehensive guide evaluates the most reliable bow presses available, comparing their durability, precision features, and value to help you select the perfect tool for your needs.

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Reviews

RS Bow Vise Kit

The RS Bow Vise Kit lets you set up your bow in every position you need for practice or tuning. From shooting straight ahead to leaning side-to-side, it helps you find the perfect angle for your shot. The included levels make it easy to get your bow perfectly straight and your arrow pointing straight up.

Last Chance Limb Lock Kit Standard

The Limb Lock Kit Standard transforms your Last Chance Archery bow press into a versatile tool capable of handling the most demanding bowmodels. Its foam-covered rollers and adjustable design ensure your valuable equipment remains protected during even the most aggressive press cycles. The cleverly engineered rubber-coated fingers adapt to any limb angle, giving you the freedom to tackle bow press projects with confidence.

Last Chance Archery EZ Green Press

The Last Chance Archery EZ Green Press is a solid, bench-mounted bow press that makes quick work of bow maintenance and tuning. With its hand-crank design and precise finger system, it’s earned high praise from archery enthusiasts who appreciate its simplicity and reliability. The press handles just about any compound bow between 25” and 48” with ease, making it a wise investment for serious bow owners who prefer to do their own maintenance.

Last Chance Archery EZ Press Deluxe Bench Mount

The EZ Press Deluxe makes it easy to set up your compound bow with its special way of going from lying down to standing up. You can make it just the right height for your bow really fast with the hand wheel. The special fingers on the press help you push the bow like you’re drawing it back, but it never hurts your bow or makes it twist funny.

Bow Press with 360 Degree Rotation

The Bow Hand is a versatile archery tool that attaches to your bow or crossbow with quick-release clamps, featuring a 360-degree rotating clamp and adjustable stand. Made from lightweight durable materials, it offers convenient access to your bow’s components while supporting both recurve and compound bows. The telescoping stand adjusts from 41 to 75 inches, making it suitable for various mounting options.

Bow Medic L Bracket

This simple black bracket upgrades your Bow Medic portable press to handle split-limb bows that’re up to 6 degrees beyond parallel. The 8.75-inch-long bracket mounts easily with the press, though it can be a tight squeeze. While some users find it a bit awkward to work with, most love its solid construction and versatile design that works on both split and solid limb bows.

Last Chance Archery EZ Green Bow Press

This compact bow press packs big functionality into a space-efficient design, making it a top choice for home setups. The machined components ensure smooth operation, even under heavy loads, while the included bench mount makes installation a breeze. Whether you’re adjusting limbs or fine-tuning your setup, this press gets the job done without the cumbersome complexity of some competitors.

Bow Medic Field Press

This portable press makes it easy to make adjustments to your bow on the fly. Whether you’re tuning your string or changing draw lengths, it handles the basics well. With its simple design and decent build quality, it’s a practical addition to your gear collection, though some might want something more versatile for certain types of bows.

Carbon Express Bow Square Pro

The Carbon Express Pro Bow Square helps you get your bow tuned perfectly. It’s like having a ruler that can measure exactly where your arrow should sit on the string. The metal clips keep it in place while you’re checking measurements, and the anodized aluminum is super strong but light enough not to affect your bow’s balance.

Buyer’s Guide

Archery bow press machines offer archers a precise way to measure and adjust their bow’s limb deflection, crucial for achieving optimal performance and consistency. These devices apply measured force to the bow limbs, allowing detailed inspection of cam travel and draw length. Proper selection requires considering factors like maximum bow poundage capacity, adjustment range, and included accessories for comprehensive bow inspection.

Maximum Bow Poundage Capacity

The bow press must match your bow’s weight. Common pressing needs range from 60 to 100 pounds, but competition-grade bows may exceed 120 pounds. Consider a machine that can handle your bow’s maximum draw weight plus 20-30% for future upgrades or testing heavier bows.

Adjustment Range

Most bow presses offer 1-2 inch adjustment ranges, which are standard for modern compound bows. However, some older or specialty bows may require additional travel. Consider models that allow fine-tuning in 1/16-inch increments for precise measurements and adjustments.

Included Accessories

Basic bow presses include a mounting bracket and measuring tape. More comprehensive models feature specialized tools like cam stopbers, string stoppers, and height gauges. These accessories enable thorough bow inspection and adjustment, so select a press with extras to streamline your setup process.

Machine Construction and Durability

Construction materials range from aluminum to heavy-duty steel. Steel machines provide superior strength and stability for precise measurements, while aluminum options offer portability and lighter weight. Consider a frame construction that limits flex during testing to ensure accurate results.

FAQ

What is an archery bow press?

An archery bow press is specialized equipment designed to safely and efficiently apply consistent pressure to the limbs of a bow during construction or maintenance. This tool helps maintain optimal bow performance by ensuring even pressure across the entire length of the limbs.

Common features include adjustable pressure settings, modular designs for various bow sizes, and durable construction materials to handle the force required for bow pressing.

Why use a bow press?

A bow press ensures proper limb alignment and consistent pressure distribution, which can improve bow performance, accuracy, and longevity. It eliminates the need for manual pressure application, reducing the risk of human error and injury.

Using a bow press is particularly important for composite and recurve bows, where maintaining precise limb shape and alignment is crucial for optimal performance.

What are the main types of bow presses?

There are three primary types of bow presses: single-ram hydraulic, twin-ram hydraulic, and manual bow presses. Each type offers different levels of pressure control and capacity, suitable for various bow sizes and construction techniques.

Single-ram presses are the most basic and economical option, while twin-ram and hydraulic presses provide more consistent pressure and higher capacity for larger or more complex bows.

How much pressure should a bow press apply?

The recommended pressure varies based on the bow type and manufacturer’s specifications. Generally, carbon fiber and reflex limbs require less pressure (25-35% of full-limb stress), while older wood and sinew limbs may need up to 80% of full-limb stress.

Always refer to your bow’s manufacturer guidelines and use the appropriate pressure setting to prevent damage to your equipment.

How do I maintain a bow press?

Regular maintenance includes checking all hydraulic components for leaks, ensuring all moving parts are properly lubricated, and inspecting the ram and frame for signs of wear or damage.

Before each use, perform a full system check to ensure proper function and safety. Store the press in a clean, dry environment when not in use to prevent corrosion and maintain optimal performance.

Can I use a bow press for other equipment?

Bow presses are specifically designed for archery equipment and should not be used for other applications. Using a bow press on non-recurve or non-composite equipment could result in damage to both the equipment and the press itself.

For maintenance of other archery equipment, such as crossbows or traditional longbows, specialized tools designed for those specific applications should be used.

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