PVC Bow Failure - Limb Snap

Here we have another type of PVC bow failure. I constantly warn against burning PVC pipe. While small burns on lighter weight or low stress bows is not a big issue, even small burns on highly stressed designs can be catastrophic. A burn or a melted area can start a crack in the pipe at full draw, which will result in the bow snapping apart.

It's not very common, but if several factors are stacked against the bow such as being too short for the length, a very heavy weight, stacking heavily, being in a cold environment, having been in the sun too long before being made into a bow, or being burnt or melted in a spot, the bow could fail.

Here the bow was under very little stress, so the burn is somewhat severe but not unreasonable to what could easily happen. I also draw the bow to the point where the snapped limb nearly misses my head. If the bow snapped at full draw, which it may do if under stress, the limb would have hit me in the face.

So that's it. Please don't try this at home and be very careful about burning PVC pipe. Be safe and thanks for watching!