If you've spent any time tuning compound bows in your garage, you know that adding an ez green bow press draw board to your bench is a total game changer. It's one of those tools that, once you have it, you wonder how you ever got by with just a standard press and a handheld scale. There's something incredibly satisfying about being able to see exactly what your bow is doing at full draw without having to rely on a buddy to tell you if your cams are hitting at the same time.
I'll be the first to admit that for a long time, I was a "good enough" kind of tuner. I'd check my timing by drawing the bow back in front of a mirror or asking my wife to look at the cable stops. But let's be real—that's not exactly precision work. When I finally picked up the draw board attachment for my EZ Green press, my tuning went from guesswork to actual science.
Why This Specific Setup Works So Well
The beauty of the ez green bow press draw board is how it integrates directly into the press you already own. If you're using the Last Chance Archery (LCA) system, you know their whole vibe is "simplicity." They don't overcomplicate things. The EZ Green press is the workhorse for most home shops because it's affordable and indestructible, and adding the draw board turns it into a full-service workstation.
Instead of having a separate, bulky 7-foot long wooden board mounted to your wall (which I've tried, and it takes up way too much room), this attachment just slides right onto the press arm. It keeps your workspace clean and, more importantly, it keeps the bow at a comfortable height while you're working on it. You aren't bending over a table or reaching up high; it's all right there in front of you.
Installation Isn't as Scary as it Looks
I know some guys get a little nervous about taking apart their press to add attachments, but honestly, it's a breeze. You're basically swapping out the standard end piece for the one that holds the winch and the draw arm. It took me maybe ten minutes, and that included the time I spent looking for the right wrench because I'd buried it under a pile of fletchings.
Once it's on there, it's solid. That's the thing about the EZ Green line—it's all steel and heavy-duty hardware. You don't feel like the bow is going to snap out or the winch is going to give way. It feels secure, which is exactly what you want when you're cranking back a 70-pound flagship bow.
The Real-World Benefits of Using a Draw Board
So, why bother? Can't you just shoot the bow and see how it feels? Well, sure, but if you want to get those broadheads grouping with your field points at 60 yards, you need to be precise. Here's where the ez green bow press draw board really earns its keep.
Perfecting Your Cam Timing
This is the big one. If one cam is hitting the stop before the other, your nock travel is going to be wonky, and you're going to be fighting your tune forever. With the draw board, you can slowly crank the bow back, stop right at the end of the cycle, and look closely at those stops. If one is a quarter-inch off, you just let the tension off, put the bow in the press, add a twist to the cable, and check it again. It turns a frustrating two-hour ordeal into a ten-minute job.
Checking for Cam Lean
It's one thing to look at cam lean when the bow is at rest, but what actually matters is what those cams are doing when they're under full load. I've had bows that looked perfectly straight in the press but leaned like the Tower of Pisa once I cranked them back to full draw. Seeing that on the board lets you know exactly how many spacers you might need to swap or which way you need to yoke tune.
Setting Your Precise Draw Length
Most of us think we know our draw length, but manufacturer specs can be a little optimistic. You might have your modules set to 29 inches, but when you actually measure it on a draw board from the pivot point of the grip to the nocking point, you find out it's actually 29.5. The ez green bow press draw board lets you measure this accurately so you can get your anchor point perfectly consistent.
Safety and Peace of Mind
I've seen some DIY draw boards made with boat winches and 2x4s that honestly looked like a disaster waiting to happen. If a strap snaps or a screw pulls out of the wood while a bow is at full draw, you're looking at a dry fire at best and a trip to the ER at worst.
Using the official attachment for the EZ Green press gives me peace of mind. The winch has a clutch system so it won't just "run away" on you. If you let go of the handle, it stays put. That's huge when you're trying to get a close-up look at a cable or adjusting a peep sight. Always make sure your D-loop is in good shape before you hook it up, though. I usually add a safety rope through the riser just in case, because I'm paranoid like that.
Is It Worth the Investment?
If you're only shooting once a month and you take your bow to a shop for everything, then maybe you don't need this. But if you're the guy who's constantly tinkering—swapping strings, trying new rests, or obsessing over paper tuning—then it's a no-brainer.
The ez green bow press draw board isn't just a luxury; it's a tool that pays for itself. Think about how much a shop charges for a full timing and synchronization tune. Do that a few times on your own bow and maybe a couple of your buddies' bows, and the equipment has already paid for itself. Plus, there's the added bonus of knowing that the job was done right because you did it.
A Few Little Tips I've Picked Up
After using this setup for a while, I've found a few tricks that make things easier. First, get yourself a good digital scale to hook in-line with the draw board. This allows you to check your peak draw weight and your holding weight at the same time you're checking timing. It's great for making sure your limbs are backed out evenly or seeing exactly what that new set of strings did to your poundage.
Second, don't be afraid to use a flashlight. Even in a well-lit garage, seeing exactly where a black cable stop hits a black cable can be tricky. A little LED light helps you see that "gap" perfectly.
Lastly, take your time. The beauty of the manual crank on the EZ Green version is the control. You can move the bow a millimeter at a time. Use that to your advantage. There's no rush when you're in the shop.
Final Thoughts on the Setup
At the end of the day, tuning a bow should be an enjoyable part of the hobby, not a chore. Having the right gear like the ez green bow press draw board makes the process smoother and much more accurate. It takes the "voodoo" out of archery tuning and replaces it with repeatable results.
Whether you're getting ready for a total string change or just want to make sure your hunting rig is dialed for the upcoming season, this setup is one of the best additions you can make to your home shop. It's rugged, it's reliable, and it flat-out works. Stop guessing if your bow is timed correctly and start knowing it is. Your groups—and your confidence in the field—will definitely thank you for it.