Book for bow string making

[old_goat2]

So, I bought most of the gear to build Flemish twist strings and I have help from the guy's at rmsgear, but what's a good reference book? I've been watching YouTube videos and have a good idea of the mechanics involved in the process, but I'd like to eliminate some of the trial and error in getting the loops the right size and string the right length. I know I'll need to keep notes when I get going, but thought I'd see if there is a good reference book for this kind of info! I looked at the how to forum on here and searched "string" and didn't see anything.
Thanks

[Bill from NJ]

OG2,
Not a book, but I found to be much better.

Doing the Twist DVD

The DVD contains almost two hours of instruction on building your own Flemish strings. It features Joe Stark owner of Lone Wolf Traditional Archery and Chad Weaver, your contact at Recurves.com and Champion Custom Bowstrings. Photography by Rob Burnham and others, music by Jim Bowman.
**No bull - no advertising - just start to finish instructions*

DVD MENU:
1. Let's Get Started.
2. Building a 2 Bundle String
3. Building a 3 Bundle String
4. Installing Beaver Silencers
5. Installing Rubber Silencers
6. Building an Endless String Jig
7. Describing a Flemish String Board
8. Building a Flemish String Board
9. Making an Endless String
10. Making a Stretching/Serving Jig
11. Tying a Timber Hitch or Bowyer's Knot

[The Whittler]

I have watched a couple videos on Flemish and endless string making. If you don't mind me asking is there a video on Flemish string making and padding the loops. Thank you.

[McDave]

Originally posted by The Whittler:
I have watched a couple videos on Flemish and endless string making. If you don't mind me asking is there a video on Flemish string making and padding the loops. Thank you.

YES!  I learned string padding and a lot more from "How to Build a Great Bowstring" by Chad Weaver and Rod Jenkins, available from 3 Rivers and other places.

As far as Old Goat's question is concerned, I think each person has to write their own book.  Everybody twists a little differently.  I keep notes on every string I build.  By now I have enough notes to build a new string for any new bow I might get.  It might not be exactly what I want the first time, but it will work, and the next time I will have notes and it will be exactly what I want.

[monterey]

Bear Paw has a good video on their site.

[old_goat2]

I think what I want is McDaves notebook  

[McDave]

And you would be welcome to have it.  The problem is, I use a Brownell string making jig, which has its own unique markings, I use a particular type of string BCY10, and have my own way of twisting the string, as does everybody else.  So you would really be better off starting your own notebook.  If you make a string that is too long or too short, don't throw it away.  Keep the notes on it and hang it on a nail on the wall.  Maybe it will fit some other bow you come across someday.

I don't know if it's unique to BCY10, but at first I had problems with the bundles coming out different lengths.  I would finish the second string loop, pull the string tight, and one of the bundles would be drooping down.  Finally I figured out that different colors of BCY10 had different diameters, so they twisted different.  Now I separate each bundle in two, and mix half with the other bundle, so for example, rather than having one tan bundle and one black bundle, each bundle will be half tan and half black.  It makes for a strange looking string, but at least the bundles come out the same length after I finish the second string loop.

[Pat B]

Chad Weaver(LBR) has 2 videos for build strings. "Doing the Twist" was his first but a few years ago he put out another. Plenty of good info for the self made bow strings.

[old_goat2]

Doing the Twist isn't available, I ordered the new one, I suck so bad at taking notes it isn't even funny, hopefully I can make this happen!

[McDave]

Get some 3X5 cards, and fill out one for each string you make with the following information:

String for: 64" Bob Lee Legacy
8" and 9 1/2" tag ends for 2" and 3" string loops
Use position 19" (varies depending on your string jig)
12 strands of BCY 10 padded with 4 strands of same
Serving: Halo Beiter .021

I fill this out as I'm making the string, and sometimes have to go back and change things after I finish.  For example, as I recall I initially set the string jig on 19 1/8" and had to put more twists in the string than I liked, so changed my directions for future strings to 19".  For my jig, whatever I change on the jig has 4X the effect on the final string, so when I changed the jig 1/8" storter, the final string would be 1/2" shorter.

Later, if I have another 64" recurve I need a string for, I can try the Bob Lee string.  If it is too long, I use a shorter setting on the string jig, and vice versa.  That way, each string you make gets you closer on the next one.  Of course, if I need a string for a 68" longbow and I've never made one for a 68" longbow before, my first try might not be as close as I would like.

Actually, I really don't know what serving is on my Bieter Winder, because I obliterated the label when I put it on.  I think it was .021 Halo, but I'm not sure.  Note to self: next time you replace serving spool, make a note of what kind of serving you replace it with.

[old_goat2]

Originally posted by McDave:
Get some 3X5 cards, and fill out one for each string you make with the following information:

String for: 64" Bob Lee Legacy
8" and 9 1/2" tag ends for 2" and 3" string loops
Use position 19" (varies depending on your string jig)
12 strands of BCY 10 padded with 4 strands of same
Serving: Halo Beiter .021

I fill this out as I'm making the string, and sometimes have to go back and change things after I finish.  For example, as I recall I initially set the string jig on 19 1/8" and had to put more twists in the string than I liked, so changed my directions for future strings to 19".  For my jig, whatever I change on the jig has 4X the effect on the final string, so when I changed the jig 1/8" storter, the final string would be 1/2" shorter.

Later, if I have another 64" recurve I need a string for, I can try the Bob Lee string.  If it is too long, I use a shorter setting on the string jig, and vice versa.  That way, each string you make gets you closer on the next one.  Of course, if I need a string for a 68" longbow and I've never made one for a 68" longbow before, my first try might not be as close as I would like.

Actually, I really don't know what serving is on my Bieter Winder, because I obliterated the label when I put it on.  I think it was .021 Halo, but I'm not sure.  Note to self: next time you replace serving spool, make a note of what kind of serving you replace it with.

Thanks, this kind of template helps a lot when you don't know what you don't know, lol! I at appreciate the heck out of it!

[old_goat2]

Got the DVD couple days ago! Excellent resource! Answered a lot of my questions and even a few I didn't know I had!

[LBR]

Thanks OG2!  Like Dave said, LOTS of notes.  There are plenty of mistakes to make, don't waste time making the same ones over and over.  

Unfortunately "Doin' the Twist" isn't available anymore.  The one-man operation I had making copies fell ill and passed away, and didn't leave anyone with information on where he left the master copy.  Tried making copies from a copy, it didn't work, so...

Good news is "How to Build a Great Bowstring" has most of the same information, plus more info on endless strings (courtesy of Rod Jenkins), and the video quality is much better (DTT was filmed when digital video cameras first hit the scene--they had improved a lot when we did BGB).

If you have any questions or need any help, just let me know and I'll sure try.

Chad