What exactly is "set?"

[CrazyHorse1969]

Could someone out there explain (or, define), in layman's terms, "set" (as it relates to bows, of course). I think I know what it means, but I am simply looking for some clarification. Thanks!

[PatM]

Compressed(and likely stretched) wood cells that have exceeded their elastic limit.
 A couple of guys will be along soon to rant about the difference between set and string follow.

[CrazyHorse1969]

Thanks. Is it fair to say that as a result of "set" a bow limb could then not fully snap (for lack of a better word) back into shape after a bow has been shot and then un-braced? In other words, the limb starts to take on a slight bend.

[PEARL DRUMS]

Compressed(and likely stretched) wood cells that have exceeded their elastic limit.
 A couple of guys will be along soon to rant about the difference between set and string follow.

I got your back Pat...

[Knoll]

Compressed(and likely stretched) wood cells that have exceeded their elastic limit.
 A couple of guys will be along soon to rant about the difference between set and string follow.

I got your back Pat...

       

[crooketarrow]

 SET IS COMPRESSED WOOD SELLS It comes from 3 things. Once there compressed the wood sells can't be reconstructed. ONCE SETS THERE IT'S THERE

 (1)  unseasoned wood to start with. Poundages not a problem it the woods seasoned.
 (2) wrong design for (BOW) wood or design aplyed wrong.
 (3) poor tillering, to much wood removed to quicky. Fast tillering can = SET  SLOWWWWW DOWNNNNN when tillering there's no bonus for finishing quickly.

 I promass you when you finsh a tillering your bow your the day. Leave it untill tomorrow when you come back. I promass you ,you'll see places need attention.


  String follow is wood cells not destoryed as much as it would if it takes set. The amount of cells destoryed (compression) predicts the amount of set takes place.

[CrazyHorse1969]

Got it. Thanks.

[sleek]

String follow = natural deflex. Set = deformed wood from being stressed.

Rant over.

[Del the cat]

Set is the permanent deformation of any spring due to it being stressed.
It even happens in the steel valve springs in your car.
If you want a bow with no set, then don't bend it
Del

[Badger]

  Nothing to add except I have always wished I could nail down wether or not or how much of set is contributed to stretching of the back. Sawing a bows in half a few times does suggest that the great majority is in compression, but I think some woods do stretch, can't prove it and not sure it really matters.

[PatM]

String follow = natural deflex. Set = deformed wood from being stressed.

Rant over.

If it's natural how can it be string follow?  Strings don't grow on trees and bend them.

[PatM]

  Nothing to add except I have always wished I could nail down wether or not or how much of set is contributed to stretching of the back. Sawing a bows in half a few times does suggest that the great majority is in compression, but I think some woods do stretch, can't prove it and not sure it really matters.

 That is likely dependent on how much resistance to compression that the bow has. I can se an extremely compression resistant wood stretching a softer elastic backing to a greater degree.
 If you backed Ipe with Yew sapwood or Elm for example.

[Del the cat]

String follow = natural deflex. Set = deformed wood from being stressed.

Rant over.

Nah !
The commonly accepted understanding and usage is:-
String follow is temporary additional deflex after a day's shooting and will recover over a few hours unstrung (or overnight).
Set is the amount that doesn't recover, e.g It's permanent.
Del
(I'm happy to be corrected if someone has a better definition)

[PatM]

Here comes Jawge....

[sleek]

Well shiza, if im wrong id like to know.