How to Build a DIY Home Archery Shop — Every Tool You Need

How to Build a DIY Home Archery Shop — Every Tool You Need

One bad bow shop experience can change how you think about your gear forever and it’s happening more often as fewer quality archery shops remain in some areas. So we get practical about what it really takes to build a DIY home archery shop that helps you tune your compound bow, build better arrows, and stop waiting on the busy-season backlog for every small change.  We start with the overlooked foundation: your workspace. We talk about why a flat, heavy workbench matters, how lighting saves you from tiny-hardware disasters, and why dedicated storage is the difference between a smooth workflow and a frustrating mess. Then we break down the real “must-have” tools for home bow tuning: a safe bow press, a dependable drawboard, and a bow vise that lets you level your bow, set center shot, tie D loops, and work hands-free. We also share what to inspect and maintain so your equipment stays safe over time.  If you’re not ready to jump straight into full tuning, we map out the best on-ramp: arrow building. We cover arrow saws, squaring tools, arrow spinners, fletching jigs, and the glue and primer basics that make builds repeatable. We also share a simple rule that prevents costly mistakes: build and test one arrow first, then commit to the dozen. Along the way, we touch paper tuning, levels for third axis, and when it still makes sense to lean on a reputable shop for peace of mind and warranty support.  If you’ve started your own DIY archery setup, share what you bought first and what surprised you most, then subscribe, leave a review, and send this to the archer who’s tired of guessing. Shop DIY Home Archery Shop Equipment : https://extremeoutfitters.com/collections/home-archery-shop [https://extremeoutfitters.com/collections/home-archery-shop] 🏹 Shop Extreme Outfitters for all of your archery & bowhunting needs: https://extremeoutfitters.com Use code ARCHERYPROJECT to save 10% Quick reads, pro tips, and the latest episodes—delivered straight to your inbox every week. 👉 Sign up here: https://thearcheryproject.com/ [https://thearcheryproject.com/] ✅ Watch the video podcast here!        https://www.youtube.com/@thearcheryproject JOIN OUR COMMUNITY: ► Facebook: http://bit.ly/44UD7Vo ► Instagram: http://bit.ly/40Q2jLf

Top Bow Sights for 2026 — What's Hot Right Now

One upgrade can make your bow feel brand new, and it is not another stabilizer or a fresh set of strings. It is the bow sight you trust when a whitetail steps out at 28 yards and when TAC puts a target at 110 on a steep angle. I’m breaking down the premium 2026 archery sights that are driving the biggest shift I’ve seen in years: micro-adjustable vertical three pin slider sights that work as a true hybrid setup for hunting, 3D archery, and Total Archery Challenge. We dig into Spot Hogg’s Boonie and the new ROTI housing, including the PRIZ prism accessory that can move your sight picture up and unlock serious extra travel without changing your arrow build. I also talk through the real trade-offs, like what happens when you add glass in wet weather and why housing size can limit distance. If you want bright pins without relying on a sight light, rugged durability, and a system you can move from bow to bow, this part will help you decide fast. Then we get into two of the biggest movers this year: the HHA NYTRX XV3 Pro and the Dialed PRUF. I cover what makes a slider feel “crisp,” how good indicators save you when dialing under pressure, why removable wheels and dual sight tapes can be a big deal, and the setup steps that separate a great sight from a frustrating one. We also hit the fundamentals that matter more than brand names: leveling first, second, and third axis, setting peep height to maximize travel, and trueing your sight tape by actually walking it back. If you’re building a hybrid bow setup for 2026 and you want fewer mistakes at full draw, subscribe, share this with your bow buddy, and leave a quick review. What sight are you running this season, and why? 🏹 Shop Extreme Outfitters for all of your archery & bowhunting needs: https://extremeoutfitters.com Use code ARCHERYPROJECT to save 10% Quick reads, pro tips, and the latest episodes—delivered straight to your inbox every week. 👉 Sign up here: https://thearcheryproject.com/ [https://thearcheryproject.com/] ✅ Watch the video podcast here!        https://www.youtube.com/@thearcheryproject JOIN OUR COMMUNITY: ► Facebook: http://bit.ly/44UD7Vo ► Instagram: http://bit.ly/40Q2jLf

Outdoor Life 2026 Bow of the Year — Full Breakdown & My Take

A bow hardly anyone is talking about just took the top spot, and it didn’t win on hype, sponsorship, or a spec-sheet race. We walk through Outdoor Life’s 2026 Bow Of The Year results and explain what actually matters when seven flagship hunting bows get pushed through a three-day test with three different shooters and 50-yard accuracy on the scoreboard. We break down the full methodology, from the close-range feel scoring (draw cycle, back wall, grip, post-shot feel, and features) to the long-range grouping that decides the final winner. Then we unpack the real-world takeaways for bowhunters: why raw speed like the PSE Sicario’s numbers can come with a forgiveness cost, why ultra-light bows can feel jumpy until you add weight, and why details like valley feel and grip repeatability can make or break your confidence under pressure. The biggest theme is shootability. We talk Hoyt’s standout grip and back wall, Mathews ARC 34’s smooth draw cycle and grip swap conversation, Darton’s push toward tuning without a bow press, and the Elite Varos features that helped it separate when groups got tight at 50 yards. If you’re searching “best hunting bow 2026,” “Outdoor Life bow test,” or “bow of the year,” this is the grounded breakdown that helps you walk into a pro shop with a smarter plan. Subscribe for more practical archery gear talk, share this with a buddy shopping for a new rig, and leave a review with your pick: which 2026 bow would you rank #1 and why? 🏹 Shop Extreme Outfitters for all of your archery & bowhunting needs: https://extremeoutfitters.com Use code ARCHERYPROJECT to save 10% Quick reads, pro tips, and the latest episodes—delivered straight to your inbox every week. 👉 Sign up here: https://thearcheryproject.com/ [https://thearcheryproject.com/] ✅ Watch the video podcast here!        https://www.youtube.com/@thearcheryproject JOIN OUR COMMUNITY: ► Facebook: http://bit.ly/44UD7Vo ► Instagram: http://bit.ly/40Q2jLf

Long ATA Bows: I Was Wrong and Here's Why

I've been a short bow guy my whole life — 30, 31, maybe 32 inches max. But after hunting and shooting TAC events with my Mach 33 this past year, something shifted. This episode breaks down exactly why I've changed my mind on longer ATA bows, what finally pushed me over the edge, and whether the trade-offs are actually as big a deal as I always thought they were.  We get into string angle, draw cycle, speed vs. forgiveness, arrow tuning sweet spots, what bow I'm building out for TAC this year (hint: it's a Mach 35), and which long ATA bows are worth looking at right now — including the new PSE Sicario 35. I also break down who the longer bow makes the most sense for and when sticking with a shorter ATA still has its place. If you've been on the fence about trying a longer bow, this one's for you.  Head over to extremeoutfitters.com [http://extremeoutfitters.com/] for all your archery gear — use code ARCHERYPROJECT to save 10% off your order. Listen to the full episode now. Key Topics Covered  - Why Zakk changed his mind on long ATA bows after years of shooting 32" and under  - The Mach 33 hunting season breakdown — 6-7 animals, all great shot placement  - Ground hunting with a 33" bow and why the maneuverability concerns are mostly in your head  - String angle: the single biggest reason to go longer - Speed vs. forgiveness — why chasing IBO numbers is a trap for most hunters  - The 280-295 fps sweet spot for tuning and broadhead flight - Why 80 lbs on a long ATA bow draws completely different than a short bow  - The Mach 35 TAC build: HHA Nitrix XV3, Epsilon rest, plans for Shrewd TRAK bars  - Shooting the Mach 35 at TAC Tennessee with zero bars — and still shooting lights out  - Bow-by-bow breakdown: PSE Mach 33/35, Hoyt RX10 Ultra, Mathews ARC 34, AX 333, Darton Tri-Tech 33/35 - New PSE Sicario 35 — longer brace height, more draw length options, same speed platform  - Who should shoot long ATA and how draw length factors into the decision  - Budget option: PSE Alaskan Pro at ~$700 as an entry-level long ATA bow  - TAC Pennsylvania preview — Extreme Outfitters booth, custom arrow building on-site  Gear & Products Mentioned -  PSE Mach 33 - PSE Mach 35 (FDS cam, 80 lbs) - PSE Sicario 33 - PSE Sicario 35 (new) - PSE Alaskan Pro - Hoyt RX10 Ultra - Mathews ARC 34 - Mathews AX 333 - Darton Tri-Tech 33 - Darton Tri-Tech 35 - HHA Nitrix XV3 (vertical 3-pin, .019) - HHA Tetra - Hamskea Epsilon rest - Easton 5.0 arrows (~435 grains) - Easton FMJ Maxes (465 grains, hunting setup) - Shrewd TRAK bars (front and rear) - PSE 2-piece quiver  🏹 Shop Extreme Outfitters for all of your archery & bowhunting needs: https://extremeoutfitters.com Use code ARCHERYPROJECT to save 10% Quick reads, pro tips, and the latest episodes—delivered straight to your inbox every week. 👉 Sign up here: https://thearcheryproject.com/ [https://thearcheryproject.com/] ✅ Watch the video podcast here!        https://www.youtube.com/@thearcheryproject JOIN OUR COMMUNITY: ► Facebook: http://bit.ly/44UD7Vo ► Instagram: http://bit.ly/40Q2jLf

Bow Tuning Q&A: Fixing Tear Issues, Arrow Builds & FAST Bow Setup | FRIDAY KILL NOTES

Your bow didn’t “just stop shooting” overnight, and the fix usually isn’t a mystery product or a random twist of the rest. We take a stack of listener questions and turn them into a clear troubleshooting path for the most common accuracy killers: drop-away rest timing that’s ripping fletchings, cam timing that’s out of sync, and setups that drift so far off-spec you end up chasing one paper tear after another. We also get into what modern speed is doing to real hunting and 3D setups. If your new rig is so fast that your 20 and 30 yard pins are basically touching, you’re not stuck. We talk through smarter pin-gap configurations, how to “change the zero” without overthinking it, and how to validate your holds with practice so you’re not guessing when it matters. Along the way, we break down when paper tuning is non-negotiable, why it gives immediate feedback, and how it can even help spot equipment issues beyond your form. On the gear side, we cover sidebars and bow lean at full draw, why grip repeatability matters more than bolting on stabilizers, and how to think about arrow builds for Total Archery Challenge and hunting. We share practical ranges for total arrow weight, point weight, and typical FOC, plus thoughts on durability with low GPI shafts, inserts vs half-outs, and when carbon vs aluminum risers really comes down to feel, sound, and balance. If this helped, subscribe to the show, share it with a buddy who’s fighting a paper tear, and leave a review with the tuning problem you want us to tackle next. 🏹 Shop Extreme Outfitters for all of your archery & bowhunting needs: https://extremeoutfitters.com Use code ARCHERYPROJECT to save 10% Quick reads, pro tips, and the latest episodes—delivered straight to your inbox every week. 👉 Sign up here: https://thearcheryproject.com/ [https://thearcheryproject.com/] ✅ Watch the video podcast here!        https://www.youtube.com/@thearcheryproject JOIN OUR COMMUNITY: ► Facebook: http://bit.ly/44UD7Vo ► Instagram: http://bit.ly/40Q2jLf