Flemish string making questions

[Missouri CK]

I've made several strings after purchasing Chad's "Doing the Twist" DVD.  I've had some that worked, an others that didn't. I'm getting the hang of it and I seem to have the basic technique down.

I have a couple of questions about some problems I'm having with a 2 bundle flemish twist.

First off, the last two strings I've made have not twisted well in the main long section of string that is in the middle.  It looks like two seperate bundles of string rather than a blend of the two.  I've taken great pains to really try to straighten out the stands before putting in the back twist as I remember they mentioned that could create a rope like looking string.  Any suggestions about what I'm doing wrong to create this problem.

My next question is the back twist.  How do you come up with the number of back twist to use?  On the DVD he used 33 but I'm sure that changes based on the number of strands used or the size of he loops.  In my latest string (a 12 strain) I counted 26's twist after I made the loops and up into the 40's if I counted all the twist that went into the loops and down into the part after the loops.  

I hope that makes sense.

Any suggestions appreciated.

Chris

[Missouri CK]

Third and final question...

On a couple of the other strings that I have created previously, the twist of the bundles look great except for a few areas where it is asymetrical.  Instead of the normal swirl of the two bundles I have a stand or two of the other color mixed in with the swirl?  For example I made a candy cane looking red and white string.  In middle of one of the white swirls I have a strand or two of red that shouldn't be there.  Hope that makes sense.  If need be I'll post some pictures.

Thanks again.

Chris

[Orion]

I've never seen the video, but I think I build my strings the same way.  Happens to me sometimes, too.

The twisting that you do on the loops doesn't doesn't impact the amount of back twisting, because you're twisting toward the end of the string.  The amount of back twist is determined by how long the section is that is weaved back into the main string to make the loop, the longer the tag end, the more the back twisting on the main bundles.  Depending on the string maker, this can be from four to seven inches.  Mine are usually about 5 inches, and I backtwist the main string bundles 12 full revolutions, sometimes a little more.  That may or may not work for you.

[JRY309]

Are you sure after you straighten out the strands you put the backtwist in the correct rotation?And are you RH or LH? For me and my strings I put in around 32 backtwists in both longbows and recurves.After I put in my backtwists in each bundle I clip the end with a clothes pin to hold it until I put the backtwist in the other bundle.Then my backtwists are there for when I make the other loop and get a nice round string inbetween the loop ends.Watch the DVD again and just double check yourself and your procedures when you make a string.I am no expert this is just my experience.

[portugeejn]

I've had the rope thing happen with backtwist when I twisted in the wrong direction by accident.  I usually end up backtwisting 15 turns and that works for me.  I think Orion is right about the tag end thing.  

I also have had the odd color string mix in, and I figured out that it is because I didn't get the separate bundle strings waxed and stuck together well enough. If I make sure there is plenty of wax and rub it well to stick the strings together, the odd strand thing doesn't happen.

Ron

[BMN]

I've only made a few strings and have struggled with this same problem. On the last string I made I tried something that seemed to help. After I put in the back twist and finished the second loop I put one loop on the floor and held it under my foot. I used my left hand to pull the string tight. I then took my right hand and rolled the main body of the string back and forth between my fingers so that the two bundles meshed into a nice round string. Then I twisted the string a few times and repeated the process. It really seemed to help to have the two bundles meshed together nicely before twisting it up.

I'm still trying to learn this string making thing. So far, my strings are functional but I think I can improve on how they look.

Bill

[UKarcher]

The back twist thing is down to how tight you twist the bundles. I personally put in 36 back twists, but that is just me. It's one of those things you have to experiment with until you find your magic number.
The problem with the odd strands showing in the wrong bundle has got to be that your accidently picking up the odd strand as you twist. The reason I can see for that is that you are letting the bundles separate because you haven't got enough wax holding them together.
Keep at it, practice makes perfect.  

[tim-flood]

you backtwist the same direction as the individule bundle when making the loops  I use about 18 - 24.