String jig question... what plan is this one...?

[Al Kidner]

Hi all,

 Well I'm planning on putting together a new string jig for the flemish splice. I have this string jig plan but I want to know if this jig is made to suit the actual string length, not the AMO length? I got the plan off the "How To" area of this site.

Many thanks,

AK.

 

[Al Kidner]

Oh I forgot to add that I can make strings up already, I just need a new jig as my old one went walkies someplace?


Many thanks,

al

[Rob DiStefano]

IMHO, all Flemish jig boards need to be "dialed in" by building test strings, with regards to string length.  

The entire process of twisting up a string to a specific final length has as much to do with the twister as the Flemish jig.  

This is completely the opposite of an endless string jig, where the length setting is very precise and very accurate from string to string.  YMMV.

[Al Kidner]

Thanks mate, I kinda thought that too. I'll run a few test strings to "dial' this jig in. I have a heap of B50 I never use so that'll do the trick I think.

AK.

[Killdeer]

Watch this space!
B-50 string sale coming soon!!

Killdeer      

[Rob DiStefano]

Originally posted by Killdeer:
Watch this space!
B-50 string sale coming soon!!

Killdeer          

Ya think?  :D

[Beepy]

Yeah, I just built one last week ( I just learned how to make them at a shoot last weekend!! WOOT).  I had to mount the two individual pegs about 1/2 inch further back after some test strings.

[Falk]

Al,
I've read your thread with the Widow strings etc. the other day and was going to reply but refused to - thinking, what the heck, if he's having fun building it ...

Now then, here you go again and well, I think I let you know, that I've built quite a number of strings and NEVER used a string board for flemish. The good side is, all those questions, "dialing in" (as Rob said) - finaly doing conversion charts etc. etc. - vanish into thin air - without a jig. If you don't want to start mass production, though dissapointing Killy then mabe :-) you don't need a jig at all for doing some spare strings for yourself.

I'll gladly explain via PM if needed, but essentially all there is necessary is the good old yardstick. Heck, you wont even need that ...

Cheers, Falk

[ZaneD]

I've got a great one that makes 'em by AMO length that I can take the measurements of if ya want.

                           Zane

[Al Kidner]

I'll take any offers to learn something new fellas, feel free to PM me.


AK.

[Rob DiStefano]

Try endless spinning and appreciate the precision.  :D

 www.tradgang.com/endless

[LBR]

I couldn't say which board you have by the drawing, but I will say that if you make many strings you'll appreciate a board that goes by actual string length rather than the bow length--lots of bows don't go by AMO.

A board isn't required, but it does make things easier.  It's just a quick and easy way to measure off and stagger the ends of the bundles.  You'll want your bundles to be around 16" or so longer than the string.  Rather than measure from the short end on the second loop, I measure from the first loop--eliminates a lot of guess-work.

Endless ain't exactly fool-proof (I'm the fool that proved it!).  I've used a home-made jig and currently use a Yellowstone "Dream Machine"--it takes a bit of practice too.  Different materials can act differently, especially if you allow for the stretch of one material vs. another.

Easiest solution I can think of is make the jig, but before you number the holes pick a peg and wind off a strand.  Measure that strand, subtract 16", and that should be the number for that jig hole.  For instance, if your strand measures 70", that should be the peg for a 54" string (actual string length, not AMO).

Chad

[tim-flood]

I copied it from some site and it works on the AMO length

[tim-flood]

Just make a string and then measure it and put your own numbers on it.

[Rob DiStefano]

IMO, Flemish string twisting is lots like cooking, where really good chefs add the ingredients mostly by feel.

Endless string spinning is very straight-forth and it's all very much a WYSIWYG by-the-numbers kinda process.  Yes, with endless you probably will hafta dial in the length for a specific bow, but once you know that length (typically after making one string) the measurement is golden - just set the jig arms to that length and spin up with the same reasonable strand tension.  With endless, it's OK to go a tad longer in order to add in a dozen or so twists to round off a flat string, so the lattitude for failure (not hitting the right string length) is less than with Flemish (IMO).

Of course, if yer like Chad and you twist up hundreds if not thousands of strings you'll develop the craftsmanship feel for what will and won't work to hit a specific string length.  Then, too, Flemish strings rely extremely heavily on gobs of twists, so here again if ya build a tad longer just twist up.

As with all bow strings, it'll take some shooting to stretch out and "settle in" a new bowstring.  That factor also needs to be cared for and added in to the string making process.
     
Ain't all this string stuff fun?  :D

[Beepy]

Man, after looking at that site of spinning endless strings -- I think flemish twist strings have to be easier to make!

[Rob DiStefano]

Originally posted by Beepy:
Man, after looking at that site of spinning endless strings -- I think flemish twist strings have to be easier to make!

Yes and no - each has their own issues and learning curves.  

Spinning strings absolutely requires a big jig that can't go afield with ya - make it or buy it.  Using the jig is a total no-brainer after you go through the process just once.  Dialing in strings for each of yer bows is also too easy.  Once you have a setting for a particular bow, the next hundred strings ya spin will be perfect little clones.  That's about it.

Twisting strings is even easier 'cause you really don't need any jig and you can make a fresh string while yer at hunt camp.  However, even with a jig, IMO there are greater variables to string twisting than string spinning.


Both strings of the same number of strands of the same string fiber type are of EQUAL strength.  It's a myth that because Flemish bowstrings have more strands in the loops they're stronger than endless strings ... so, given the same number of strands of the same fiber, within the main body of the string, Flemish and endless will have the same exact same breaking strength.

After having spun and twisted thousands of strings over the last 40+ years, I've come to appreciate what I consider the superior consistency of endless strings.  They can be made to precise lengths every time.  They do not have the energy robbing "spring" effect of many multiple twists.    They can be made quite pretty by using two (or more!) different colored string fibers, for a "zebra" swirl effect.  It's also easy to pad the loops on really skinny strings.  


But hey, bowstrings ain't rocket science, and both types will get the job done.