Hoyt pro medalist td3

John blund

New member
Hi. I'm new to the forum, and this is my first post.
I have a 40 year old Hoyt pro medalist td3 that I absolutely love, but I have problems with the string. It is a 66 inc bow, braice height is recomended from 8 1/4 to 8 3/4. I am using dacron b50 strings, but the string for 66 inch bow is streching so much that the braice height is going down to about 7 inches after a couple of hundred shots. I have twisted the string about 50 turns, and it still streches. When using a 64 string, the braice height is 9 2/4. Can I use any other type of string on this bow? I fear the limb tips will split if using strings like fast flight. Any suggestions?
John
 

jerryRTD

Well-known member
Hi. I'm new to the forum, and this is my first post.
I have a 40 year old Hoyt pro medalist td3 that I absolutely love, but I have problems with the string. It is a 66 inc bow, braice height is recomended from 8 1/4 to 8 3/4. I am using dacron b50 strings, but the string for 66 inch bow is streching so much that the braice height is going down to about 7 inches after a couple of hundred shots. I have twisted the string about 50 turns, and it still streches. When using a 64 string, the braice height is 9 2/4. Can I use any other type of string on this bow? I fear the limb tips will split if using strings like fast flight. Any suggestions?
John
You are probably not going to want to hear this ,but I think its time to retire you present bow .
 

Stretch

Well-known member
You are probably not going to want to hear this ,but I think its time to retire you present bow .
I don’t agree. If the OP is only shooting occasionally for fun, the TD3 is very capable if you stick with Dacron and heavier arrows. It does need to be treated as “old” so inspected regularly etc. Bubbling in paint work means retire me now. Ultimately, if it breaks it is very unlikely to cause anyone any harm.

The string question is not going to be cheap though as you probably need to go to a custom string maker (if you don’t know anyone who can make a much shorter string).

Mind you I have shot strings with more than 50 twists :p but you’re 1 1/4” off so probably too many. It does seem that the original string was either too long in the first place or has stretched more than it should. Dacron stretches a lot… but not that much. A different brand dacron may be worth a try but you’d need to talk to (or visit) a dealer.

Stretch
 

Berny

Active member
The TD3 was sold with Dacron or Kevlar strings, the latter being the low-stretch string of the day
(fast flight not on the market 'til ~'87).
As i understand it, the problem with kevlar was that the string would break rather than the more recent
phenomenon of nocks splitting or limbs breaking with low/non-stretch strings, although this latter
event may have more to do with non-stretch strings, skinny strings, low weight arrows, over bracing & overdrawing?

So if a bow could take kevlar why can't it take a modern low-stretch string?
Perhaps with suitable care it can, there are plenty who claim they've been doing it with older bows from as far back
as the '60s & even the '50s - with care. Typically, padded loops (to obviate the ripping through the nock)
& one assumes a "proper" weight arrow, with proper brace height & sticking within the manufacturers recommended
draw length.

As flemish twist strings are reckoned to be gentler than endless-loop, why not try (carefully) with one of those
in 100% dyneema e.g. FF+, 8125, 8190 or even D97, taking care to consider those other attributes as identified above?
 

John blund

New member
You are probably not going to want to hear this ,but I think its time to retire you present bow .
I will try to solve the string problem and keep this bow. It has no vibration at all, and shoots really well. I came back to archery this august after a 38 years long break and are allready shooting 275 (30 arrows) at 20 yards on a 40 cm target. Nothing wrong with the bow
 

John blund

New member
I don’t agree. If the OP is only shooting occasionally for fun, the TD3 is very capable if you stick with Dacron and heavier arrows. It does need to be treated as “old” so inspected regularly etc. Bubbling in paint work means retire me now. Ultimately, if it breaks it is very unlikely to cause anyone any harm.

The string question is not going to be cheap though as you probably need to go to a custom string maker (if you don’t know anyone who can make a much shorter string).

Mind you I have shot strings with more than 50 twists :p but you’re 1 1/4” off so probably too many. It does seem that the original string was either too long in the first place or has stretched more than it should. Dacron stretches a lot… but not that much. A different brand dacron may be worth a try but you’d need to talk to (or visit) a dealer.

Stretch
I have tried 4 different dacron b50 strings (2 for 66 inch bow and 2 for 64 inch) with the same result. The longer strings are streching to much, and the shorter strings not enough. I don't make strings, and don't know anyone who does. Thats why I wondered about never material strings with less strech.
Hoyt recomended a 63,25 inch string, but that is not being sold in my country.
In winter I schoot maybe 500 arrows a week, but in summer maybe 1000 a week.
The bow is in very good condition.
 

John blund

New member
The TD3 was sold with Dacron or Kevlar strings, the latter being the low-stretch string of the day
(fast flight not on the market 'til ~'87).
As i understand it, the problem with kevlar was that the string would break rather than the more recent
phenomenon of nocks splitting or limbs breaking with low/non-stretch strings, although this latter
event may have more to do with non-stretch strings, skinny strings, low weight arrows, over bracing & overdrawing?

So if a bow could take kevlar why can't it take a modern low-stretch string?
Perhaps with suitable care it can, there are plenty who claim they've been doing it with older bows from as far back
as the '60s & even the '50s - with care. Typically, padded loops (to obviate the ripping through the nock)
& one assumes a "proper" weight arrow, with proper brace height & sticking within the manufacturers recommended
draw length.

As flemish twist strings are reckoned to be gentler than endless-loop, why not try (carefully) with one of those
in 100% dyneema e.g. FF+, 8125, 8190 or even D97, taking care to consider those other attributes as identified above?
Thanks for your suggestions.
 

Stretch

Well-known member
It’s a cast Magnesium riser that is more than 35 years old. I’d stick with Dacron or the riser may fail. However, it will probably shoot well with low stretch materials until that point. If that is OK and you’re happy to replace it if/when it goes, any older spec Dyneema would work. Angel, Fastflite, Spectra 652 would be first choices; 8125, Dy97, FF+ have a bit less stretch but not much in it. So SK65 base or SK75.

If you do go Dyneema shoot it with a few more twists.

Have you thought about making or buying a string jig and making your own?

BTW Kevlar broke because of the structure of the fibre, it lasted about 1000 shots and then just went. As I recall it was actually lower stretch. It killed plenty of risers and limbs that were supposed to be OK with it. I have a Marksman KG1 (new in 1988) that was supposed to be suitable for Kevlar and Fastflite but it lasted 18 months and snapped. Cast Aluminium, not Magnesium but… it is now a door handle.

Stretch
 

John blund

New member
It’s a cast Magnesium riser that is more than 35 years old. I’d stick with Dacron or the riser may fail. However, it will probably shoot well with low stretch materials until that point. If that is OK and you’re happy to replace it if/when it goes, any older spec Dyneema would work. Angel, Fastflite, Spectra 652 would be first choices; 8125, Dy97, FF+ have a bit less stretch but not much in it. So SK65 base or SK75.

If you do go Dyneema shoot it with a few more twists.

Have you thought about making or buying a string jig and making your own?

BTW Kevlar broke because of the structure of the fibre, it lasted about 1000 shots and then just went. As I recall it was actually lower stretch. It killed plenty of risers and limbs that were supposed to be OK with it. I have a Marksman KG1 (new in 1988) that was supposed to be suitable for Kevlar and Fastflite but it lasted 18 months and snapped. Cast Aluminium, not Magnesium but… it is now a door handle.

Stretch
Thanks. I've had this bow for 41 years. I think I will stick with dacron. Maybe i'll get in touch with another club and see if someone there makes strings. If not I have to keep twisting.
 

Corax67

Well-known member
Thanks. I've had this bow for 41 years. I think I will stick with dacron. Maybe i'll get in touch with another club and see if someone there makes strings. If not I have to keep twisting.
Finding a club is a great idea - we make all our own club strings, everything from short beginner junior bow strings up to 75” longbow and everything in between plus strings for members in a variety of materials.

Hopefully you’ll find a local club who do the same and can help you out
 

kurtz

New member
Hi. I'm new to the forum, and this is my first post.
I have a 40 year old Hoyt pro medalist td3 that I absolutely love, but I have problems with the string. It is a 66 inc bow, braice height is recomended from 8 1/4 to 8 3/4. I am using dacron b50 strings, but the string for 66 inch bow is streching so much that the braice height is going down to about 7 inches after a couple of hundred shots. I have twisted the string about 50 turns, and it still streches. When using a 64 string, the braice height is 9 2/4. Can I use any other type of string on this bow? I fear the limb tips will split if using strings like fast flight. Any suggestions?
John
Hi John the pmtd3 is a great bow and i have owned many over the years in the right hands it can perform to the highest standards as was proven by the great Darrel Pace and Rick Mackinney back in the 70s i believe DP shot a 1400 fita round with his PM just shows that its about the skill of the archer not just the science and technology as for strings ive always used FF and had no issues but i do have 18 strands in my strings with dacron 12-13 strands would be the same diameter as the 18 strand Fast Flight i draw 50# @28" the pro medalist limbs have reinforced tips so their should be little chance of damaging a limb however with the latest non stretch string material a low diameter string of say 12-13 strands well i would not want to put the limb tips under that sort of pressure. I appreciate that others may have a different point of view it is up to you to decide but always remember safety first.as for the length of your strings on a 68" bow i have mine made to 64.5" and twist into the brace height
and i do like to give my strings a good beezwaxing i am pleased that you still feel the bow is upto the job i have owned and shot most of the top bows and i rate the pro medalist very highly in my mind one of the best bows ever made and i would also like to add the yamaha EX carbon bow to my list of all time best bows from the past
kind regards
kurt
 

John blund

New member
Hi Kurt. I won the national indoor championship this year with the td3. The other archers could not belive the bow I entered with, and did not take me serius (I think). I'm sad to say it is now retired. The string problem became a big problem for me. I got an win&win atf-x with ns foam limbs. My personal best has improved quite a bit with the new bow, from 280 to 289 (30 arrows 18m) in just 2 months. I'm disapointed if I shoot high 270's now. The td3 is more pleasant to shoot and has a better draw cycle, but the atf-x seems to be more forgiving and is much faster. After all it's the scores that count.
 

kurtz

New member
Hi John i had a very similar experience at my club when i used my pm td3 to win the club day much to the astonishment of other members and like yourself i shot a w&w mine was the exfeel i have had to retire from shooting as i am now older and suffering badly from arthiritis mainly it effects my hands which restricts my shooting to just a few arrows i really miss the days when i was able to shoot a hereford round the only bow that actually increased my scores was the yamaha EX Carbon the bow was so fast it took me out of my regular comfort zone i wish i had never sold mine if you ever have the opportunity to buy one grab it and have a go you will be amazed at how good a bow it is and as you rightly point out its the scores that count
 

rogerh113

New member
Hi,

I have a Pro Medalist t/d - 2b which I shoot with no problems. I got the string from - Hand Twisted B-55/Dacron 2-ply Flemish Bow string for recurve or longbow | eBay You can get 2 or 3 ply, and the guy is super helpful. Absolutely no affiliation with the vendor.

One other important thing to check is limb twist. String the bow, tilt it so you can sight down the string, and see where the limb tip is relative to the centerline of the bow. If it is not on the centerline, it needs to be straightened. My lower limb was way off, possibly due to manual stringing of the bow via the old fashioned leg method. With a little effort I was able to straighten the limb.

The Pro Medalist t/d is a lovely bow, and I expect to get many more years of pleasure out of it.
 

Carolus

New member
I've got a 44# 66" TD3 I've shot for years. I use a 12 strand, 3 skein kevlar flemish twist string with the loops and center reinforced to 21 strands. I make my own strings, they are not difficult to make and there are many tutorials on the internet. I have had strings last upwards of 10,000 shots and never had one break (just retired them because they began to look shabby) By the way, Darrel and Rick won Olympic Gold and Silver respectively with td3's in 1984(I was an official on the field for that). Both fine gentlemen and great competitors to shoot with.
 
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