Stringing Question

[zjcanada]

Good morning, been a lurker for a little while, and joined just now.

I've started building my own bows as a fun hobby, and have read a lot. I've been following Sam Harper's red oak board bow build-a-long.

Things are going well so far (first attempt I didn't use red oak, discovered how poorly spruce is for the project. haha)

Anyway, I'm fairly rural, so getting any supplies in person is tough. I happened to be in a city where theyhad a archery supply place, and the fellow there was very helpful, until I told him i was building my own bow. I needed a string, and he just kind of pushed one on to me and that was that. Had the kids and wife in the car, and being young, they weren't impressed with the stop so i rushed in and out.

Sorry to ramble, my question is. I have what i guess is called a longbow, it is 68 inches, nock to nock. the fellow gave me a (package says) Dacron recurve string AMO 68inch, 14 strand. at first look, it seems like it will be dreadfully short.

As i become familiar with the community I will start posting some pictures etc. thanks in advance for any advice/info.

[John Scifres]

3-4" shorter than nock-to-nock should be right for your bow.

[k-hat]

What John said.  If it's a flemish twist string and still a touch short, you can undo the lower knot and use a timber hitch.

[macbow]

From an archery shop you probably got a endless loop string and chances are it will be a about an inch short.
If you have not had a string on your bow yet might not be a good idea to try it.
If your boww is already tillered might try it and stop if the brace height is too much.

[wood carver 2]

Where in Canada are you?
There's an excellent archery shop in Waterloo, Southern Ontario.
It sounds like they were pretty rude because all you wanted was a string. I guess they weren't thinking of all the arrows and accessories that you'll want to buy.
When I took my first home built bow to get a string, they took their time getting me set up right, weighed my bow for me and got me set up and shooting my first arrows before I left.
Dave.

[wood carver 2]

BTW, Welcome! and pictures! pictures!    
Dave.

[zjcanada]

Thanks for the responses folks, like coming back from work with some brain candy waiting for me.

i got the string itself from a archery shop, but it looks like IT got it from a website company called tailor maid bowstrings

i had my wife check to see responses shortly before i went to work, and seeing as im isolated and bored, i get to do some building there. taking the advice John, I first measured the string itself 'ended up being 63 inches, and my bow had it's nocks 68 inches apart. even at the most liberal number he gave, im still at least an inch off.
long story short, trimmed the bow itself by 2 inches. haven't tried it out strung yet at all, have a few hours of re-tillering to do.

wood carver 2, i'm in manitoba, western manitoba. although i was in fort francis a few weeks back, though that doesnt help now i guess.

gonna bring the camera with me to work on friday, i'll get a few pictures going. thanks again for the tips, and feel free to throw more knowledge my way.

[wood carver 2]

There are a lot of sponsors here that sell anything you might need. Just look at the headliner at the top of the page.
Dave.

[Grey Taylor]

First time I've heard of the bow being trimmed to match the string   :p  

Learning how to build your own strings is your next step. It's easier than you may think and it will give you a lot of flexibility in your bowmaking path.

Guy

[zjcanada]

I guess that makes me somewhat of a pioneer in bow making/modification? hahaha

as to making my own strings. yes, i've considered it, and will likely give it a go. If anyone has any sites or tutorials they can direct me to, would defiently check it out. thanks.

[Grey Taylor]

There are some good tutorials here on TradGang and on YouTube but I prefer one of the DVD's produced and sold by   Champion Custom Bowstrings  .
If you ever have any questions Chad will do what he can to clear them up and get you making a quality bowstring.

Guy