Find the Limb Centers

In order to have a reference point from which to adjust the arrow's left/right position on the bow, it is necessary to find and mark the exact center of the limbs on a recurve bow, or what is termed the "balanced limb center" on a compound bow, as defined below.

Recurve Bows

To find the limb center for recurve bows, place a piece of masking tape across the inside of each limb near the riser. Measure the width of the limbs, and make a small vertical mark on the tape in the exact center of each limb.

Compound Bows

To find the balanced limb center location for the preliminary setup of your compound bow, place a piece of masking tape across the inside of each limb near the riser. Measure the width of the limbs, and make a small vertical mark on the tape in the exact center of each limb. Next, measure 3/16" (4.8 mm) to the left of the mark (for right-handed archers) and make a larger vertical mark on the tape. (Left-handed archers place a larger mark 3/16" (4.8 mm) to the right of the limb center mark.) This second mark will be used for arrow centering. (See Fig. 2.) This procedure is done to compensate for the amount the eccentric wheel or cam is offset from the actual center of the limb. The 3/16" (4.8 mm) measurement is an average "offset" difference for most compound bows and does not need to be a precise measurement in the preliminary setup stage, as you will locate the true balanced limb center when performing the fine-tuning procedures.

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