Earlier this year my flight instructor gave me this old Martin Cougar Speed Flite compound bow that had been laying in the back of the hangar for years. I've been having tons of fun shooting cheap aluminum arrows at a cardboard box full of newspapers in my backyard. Of course the original string that was probably 30 years old eventually snapped. (I've been wearing safety glasses when I shoot it because I knew that would happen sooner or later). I took it to several archery shops but nobody wanted to touch it because of how old it is. So I went down to Walmart and got some 50 lb test braided fishing line. I took 25 strands of it, pulled it tight to take all the stretch out of it, and then twisted it together. So in theory it's capable of handling 1,250lbs which should be more than enough for a 50 lb bow. I used a ratchet strap to compress the limbs, measured it to exactly 35 inches like the original string, then tied it off on each of the cables with some electrical tape under it to prevent chafing. I wrapped a piece of black duct tape around the middle to give a thick piece to nock my arrows and grab it with my release. I've put about a hundred arrows down range with it so far and it seems to work great. It's actually a lot quieter than the original string as well. What do you guys think? Will this hold up? And yes I'm still wearing safety glasses when I shoot it just in case!
