Gone through 4 strings in 9 months

[CactusJim]

I couldn't be more excited for my first hunt coming up in a few weeks, I have been practicing a lot since I received my bow about 9 months ago and am confident at hunting ranges.

However, I keep running into the same serious frustration over and over. My bow eats up strings. Specifically the loop on the top string nock gives out. String life span has varied depending on string type and material. For example, endless loop string that came with my bow lasted 3 months before it snapped. The endless loop I had made at my local archery club lasted a few weeks, the replacement B-50 flemish twist lasted a few days and the replacement FF flemish twist from RMSGear lasted 2 weeks. Listening to an interview on the push podcast the issue of a rough or not properly shaped string nock was brought up as a possible cause for this sort of thing.

Is the fix as simple as a few passes from a rat tail file and it's done or is sealing/finishing required?

I would like to get this squared away ASAP so I can keep practicing before hunting season, and so I can simply continue to do something I really enjoy.

Thanks to the tradgang community for being informative and helpful.

[Jasper2]

I've touched some up with a small file and others with rolled up sand paper.  Don't know about the sealing or finishing part....I've never bothered with it personally but that doesn't mean that you shouldn't.  I don't really know for sure on that part of your question?  I do know that something is definitely wrong though.  Next to impossible to wear out a properly made string in that amount of time...regardless of material.

Take care,
Jason

[McDave]

Originally posted by CactusJim:

Listening to an interview on the push podcast the issue of a rough or not properly shaped string nock was brought up as a possible cause for this sort of thing.

Is the fix as simple as a few passes from a rat tail file and it's done or is sealing/finishing required?

Given the number of strings you've run through, this almost certainly has to be the cause.  If there is an obvious burr or sharp edge, then you could probably sand (not rat-tail) it off yourself.  If the problem is not obvious, then I would pay a bowyer to fix it for you.  Whenever you remove the old finish, you have to re-apply new finish to prevent water damage down the road.

[Keefer]

You might be able to find someone with some abrasive sanding rope that will give you a 12" piece and do a "SHOE SHINE" sanding motion across the back and down the sides as it will make a nice even sanding job and the abrasive rope can cut out or sand out any rough edge.
 You could also try a piece of emmory cloth and roll it around an old string and possibly do the same as abrasive rope sort of does.
 Not sure it makes sense but an even pull while sanding should take out any defects.

[black velvet]

From what you are saying it sounds lie a sharp edge somewhere in the string groove. I use a 5/32 chainsaw file to repair string grooves. After you smooth the groove you can seal it with a touch of superglue.

It matters where the string is getting cut. Most of the time it is in the string notches, but I have seen cases where a square coner on the glass down where the loop gets tight on the limb with an unloaded bow.  Some types of sand paper make a corner when wrapped around another something narrow. You do not want to do that because it will create a gouge instead of a nice groove with soft edges.  File into the glass from out in the string grooves.  A local auto parts store here sells a fabric backed sanding cloth in 800 to 1500 grit. Another thing that can take out very light file mars is a dry leather shoe lace.  Like was stated cap it off with the very runny type of super glue, two vert light coats should do it and then maybe buff those a little with a leather shoe lace in case there is any rough spot in the super glue finish.

[KSdan]

Agree with most here.  My strings last YEARS!.  

Easy fix though. Sandpaper is most conservative, but completely agree with others that a small file or other tool works well too.  Touching up a small burr or nick is just part of maintenance for bows that get plenty of use.    

AND FOR SURE, just seal the repaired area with a little superglue.

I watched Ken Beck of Black Widow repair a variety of nicks and such on my widow years ago with a file and superglue.  It was a great lesson.  

Dan in KS

[The Whittler]

Have an old bow that did that to one string and was told to just use emery cloth. Just use a strip off it (the length of the sheet) and roll it up.

If you can put your bow in a vice it will hold it better then you take each end and go around the limb nock. Just check with a piece of cotton. Good luck.

[JamesV]

Clear fingernail polish will work good.

[jsweka]

Rat tailed file and if you want to be cautious, wrap sand paper around the file and use it that way.  Don't be scared. As long as you don't go crazy the bow will be fine.

Anything will work as a sealer - polyurethane, super glue, nail polish.  Heck, if you get right down to it, the wax from the string would be enough to keep moisture out of such a small area.

[Eric Krewson]

I shot a 70# Bighorn with 2114 arrows in the early 90s, it shot like lightning at about 214fps if I remember correctly, this was long time ago.

I couldn't keep a string on this bow (B-50), they broke at the top loop every couple of months.

Dan Quillian told me I was dry firing my bow with the light arrows. I thought "you old goat what do you know" I had been been doing this archery thing for 20 years.

I set up some 2018s for hunting that weighed about 100 gr more than my 2114s and my string breaking stopped.

Time to eat some crow; old Dan had probably forgotten more about archery than I would ever know, he was right.

How heavy are your arrows?

[JohnV]

I go through one string every few years so you definitely have a problem that needs to be identified and fixed.

[Dan Jones]

The first step I'd take would be to see if you can locate the spot on the bow nock where there is roughness or a sharp edge or whatever is causing the problem. I'd use a Q tip or stretched out cotton ball or yarn or soft fabric to see if it locates the problem area. Do the string loops reveal a location? If you can locate the problem area, then I'd proceed with fine and finer grades of sandpaper. I'd be very careful about taking a file to the bow's string nock.

[Bill Turner]

Whatever the problem you need to get it fixed ASAP. A string breaking at full draw would not be fun, especially if your shooting at game. Great way to ruin an archery hunt, season or worse. With the problem you've described, I would be so worried about the string breaking, I wouldn't be able to hit anything.  

[CactusJim]

Thanks for all the advice.

I picked up some sandpaper on the way home last night. I identified a what appears to be a raised spot in the string nock that seems to correspond with the location of my strings breaking. I'm going to take a crack at it tonight and see what I can get done. I'll be sure to post some pictures here.

Either way, I will be buying 3 strings to replace my last one. I don't want to miss out on my hunt because of this, or break one in the field and be completely out of luck.

[Jack Skinner]

CactusJim it is a simple fix most times. Just some 220 paper wrapped around a rattail file not the file alone you don't need that much removal. Run the paper through the sting grooves. Then use the paper to round off the shoulders a little. Smooth it up with some 400 or 800 doing the same thing. Then you can use clear nail polish as stated above but a more durable finish should be applied at a later date. I have run into this twice over the years. Both times this fix worked just fine.

[Steve Jr]

I fixed about 30 longbows bows for a dealer. I used a chain saw file with some fine sandpaper. Then sealed them with some polyurethane. He never had any returned.The problem was the glass on the belly where the string contacted it. I basically just smoothed and cleaned them up.

Steve Jr