Tuning and setup

Change draw weight and set tiller: Kestrel, Phoenix and 2017+ Osprey

Change draw weight and bring the bow back into tiller without hurting the timing system. The orange timing screw always comes loose first and goes tight last.

  • Difficulty Moderate
  • Time 20–40 minutes
  • For 3 Oneida models

From Oneida's Kestrel manual. Phoenix and 2017+ Osprey still to be confirmed.

All how-to guides

We're still double-checking this guide against how we do it in the shop. If anything doesn't match your bow, stop and text us or call 270-318-2020.

Before you start

  • Never put a Kestrel in any bow press.
  • Loosen the orange timing screw before you turn either weight bolt.
  • Stay inside your range: Oneida made the Kestrel in 30–50 and 50–70 lb.
  • Wear safety glasses. Never dry-fire.

Steps

  1. Phoenix and 2017+ Osprey owners: call us first; we're confirming they use the same screw and steps.
  2. Find the orange timing screw and hub (#2), cams (#3), timing cable (#5) and weight bolts (#12) on Oneida's diagram.
  3. Look first. Stop if the timing cable is frayed or a cam or timing part is damaged; Oneida recommends a dealer replace them.
  4. Loosen the orange timing screw.
  5. Turn both bolts exactly the same amount, one turn at a time, switching each turn: clockwise adds weight, counter-clockwise removes it.
  6. Measure tiller from the string to the nose of each cam, lined up with the center of the hole (Fig. 7).
  7. Turn the longer-measuring end's bolt clockwise, or the shorter end's bolt counter-clockwise, until they match.
  8. Tighten the orange timing screw before you draw.
  9. Check the weight on a scale.
  10. Check brace height from the deepest part of the grip to the string (Fig. 8) against your model page.

Tips

  • Noisy or erratic? Oneida's first checks are brace height, hinge oil, a loose saddle screw, a loose timing system and tiller. (Kestrel Manual p.3)
  • Make small moves and re-measure after each one.