pre stretching bowstring

[walkabout]

i made the string for my sisters bow, and was wondering how much weight i should apply to stretch it before use. the bow draws between 35 and 40#. ive rigged a turnbuckle and a scale to it and put 55# on it so far, is this enough to make sure its safe and stretched? string is 14 strand b50. any help is much appreciated.

[Osagetree]

Yes, that is more than enough weight. Leave it hang a hour or two and most of the stretch is gone. Rub the wax back in as some will squeeze out while stretching. Just rub the string with your thumb and fore finger.

Joe

[walkabout]

thanks. ive done them before but wanted to be certain. on my last bow i braced the bow with it and then kept retwisting as it stretched till it didnt stretch anymore, then adjusted if it stretched during shooting.

[Pat B]

While your string is stretching give it a vigorous rubdown with a small piece of leather. It will heat up and help the string stretch plus melt the wax and distribute it throughout the string. I usually do this by slipping the loop over a cup hook, pulling the string by hand and rubbing it. Also, once on the bow you can do this too.

[walkabout]

ill have to try that, thanks for the reply. ive made strings before but wanted to be sure of the stretch with this one since im giving the bow to my sister.