Setting up and working on your own bow can be fun and rewarding. As the saying goes, "If you want something done right, you have to do it yourself."

If you set up and tune your bow, you will take the time necessary to do it right the first time.

The bow mechanics' most valuable tool is the bow press. Apple Archery makes a variety of bow presses from economical ones that cost a few hundred dollars to fancier models that cost more than $1,000.

With a bow press, you can change your own strings and cables, tie on a string loop, put in a peep sight, and change out limbs, cams and many other tasks. Over time, a press will pay for itself over and over again.

BOWMASTER

If you are on a tight budget like many are these days, a few companies are offering portable bow presses that work great and are extremely economical.

The Bowmaster Portable Press retails for less than $50 and can do everything a big press can. It fits in the palm of your hand so it can be taken into the field for bow emergencies or used at home.

The Bowmaster is made completely of metal and utilizes a jack screw to take the pressure off the limbs. Simply turn the T-handle on the jack screw and the bow will quickly be ready to work on. The multi-stop cable can fit almost any bow and is what makes this press so lightweight and portable.

ARROW CUT-OFF SAW

If you enjoy setting up a bow, you will also enjoy building your own arrows. A must have tool for arrow building is an arrow cut-off saw which allows you to cut your arrows to their proper length. Cabela's and Apple Archery make great arrow saws. They have a tape measure on the saw so you know exactly how long the shaft is when you cut it.

A simple tip: if you are using inexpensive shafts that aren't as straight as high dollar shafts, cut a little bit off both ends instead of just one end. Shafts are typically less straight at the ends. Cutting both ends will result in a straighter shaft.

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