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Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: MAT on August 26, 2010, 10:46:00 PM
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I know it sounds stupid but I'm a newby string maker with a homemade jig making endless loop strings. For whatever reason after twisting my strings are not round and smooth, they are, well, lumpy :confused: .
I'm laying the strings one under each other on the posts according to the video, and keeping a constant tension. I am also trying to keep from twisting the string when serving the end loops (before closing them) but that's not entirely possible is it? I suspect that may be my problem. Maybe I'm serving too tight? I hardly have any tension on the serving tool, but it still twists the string when wrapping.
I am also only using one 1 bundle so it's really a continuous loop (only have 1 spool of material), and I'm using 452x which is quite thin. I'm trying to make an 18 strand but even had problems when I tried 8, 10 and 14 strands.
Any advice to help smooth out my lumpy situation is greatly appreciated.
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When it stretches out it should get rounder and smoother.I know a flemish string does.
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With the string under tension (i.e., strung up on the bow) tie half a square knot around it with another piece of string or serving, snug it down, the drag it up and down the string a few times. If the "video" you are referring to is "Doin' the Twist", it's the same thing Joe does to remove the excess wax from a flemish string. That will help round it out.
Chad
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I almost forgot--make it long enough to add some twists. This is actually a good thing, even in an endless string, and will also help round it out.
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Thank. I'll give that a try. The video was refered to on this site and they were making an 8 strand D97. They also had plans for the jig I made using 2x4 and wood dowels. Except I made mine out of a unistrut and oak dowels. It's plenty sturdy.