Flemish strings

[X2]

Cant believe I didn't start making them sooner.  I ordered all the stuff about 2 weeks ago, and started asking questions at to how many strands, and what type of serving (thanks to all that helped).  I have made about 30 strings over the last week and a half.  I was off work during Christmas so I had lots of time on my hands.  I have learned a ton, and have it pretty well dialed in.  There is a lot more that goes into making them than I thought.  It is very easy once you get the hang of it though.  I got the amount of backtwist figured out, as well as how far in from each side to start my loops.  Now that I have taken into account the string stretch, I can get them withing a quarter of an inch every time.  If you have not tried making them, give it a go.  It is a lot of fun and makes the archery experience that much better.

[Dirty Bill]

Don't tell your pals.You'll be forever making free strings...  

[X2]

I hear that.  Now the wife and kid are asking how many different colors dynaflight 97 comes in, so I can make them different colored ones.  Now it will never end.

[Frank Warnke]

Ditto X2.
I'll be in big trouble when my daughter starts asking for custom colors to match her outfit when we shoot a 3D course.

[LBR]

The hardest thing about making strings (IMO) is getting good information to start with, then it's deciding what color combo and material to use next.

I think they have 17 colors now (not couting the 2-color spools), but the good news is BCY sells smaller (375') spools so you don't have to break the bank to get several different colors.  Buying them by the 1/4# (not to mention 1# spools) ties up a good bit of money quick!  Then you get into different serving material, colors, sizes......you can tie up a couple thousand dollars in no time.

As already noted, you'll stay busy with friends needing strings--but that will keep you in practice!

Chad

[Rob DiStefano]

The most comprehensive tutorial on both Flemish and endless string making can be found in Chad's excellent DVD - I recommend it highly to beginners and pros alike ...

 www.recurves.com/DVD-Doing_the_Twist.htm

[Overspined]

i googled and found directions on a website along with how to make the string making board. that and 6 strings later and now they look pro...

[SoNevada Archer]

I just ordered A DVD and string jig from 3Rivers
I can't wait to make a few strings. I don't know yet what type string material to use...

[Rob DiStefano]

Originally posted by SoNevada Archer:
I just ordered A DVD and string jig from 3Rivers
I can't wait to make a few strings. I don't know yet what type string material to use...

It's up to your bow - older bows can't use modern string fibers unless the limb tips get beefed up and for these you need to use Dacron only ... most bows built in the last 10 years or so can handle any modern string fiber (Dyneema, Vectran, Spectra, etc).  When in doubt, check with your bowyer or manufacturer.

[Raineman]

I dove in up to my neck also. Got Chad's DVD (didn't know PaleFace put that together) and some goodies from 3Rivers...arrived yesterday.

I don't have my string jig made yet ( its laid out....I am going to use one designed by Jerry Dewese) or the stretching jig.

Don't ya know...I had to try something....so I cut off some "sample" bundles and gave it a whirl. Here is my first loop after I went back a few twists and re-did my "out of sequence" mess up.