String chart

[Dan the man]

Hello
 I'm new here at Trad Gang this is my first post. I was wondering if any one has a link to a Bow string chart on how many strands to use? I'm tring my hands string making, Flemish with fast flight and 0.26 serving.
   Thx in advance      Dan  

[Falk]

Dan, you wont need a chart here. Just keep in mind the any string should be at least 4x as strong as your draw weight - better go for 6x to be save.
A single strand of FF has a breaking strength of 95# - now do the math  
Almost every modern string is way stronger then needed. Just use that many strands which give you the right diameter and feel you're looking for.

[OconeeDan]

What about dacron B-50?

[Lewis Brookshire III]

Falk if thats the case I would only need a 3 stranf FF string on my 45# bow. Why make strings so thick if they only need to be 3 strands?? There has got to be a reason its done, cause a string maker would save the money of less strands if that was the case. You would think anyway.

[Killdeer]

"Almost every modern string is way stronger then needed. Just use that many strands which give you the right diameter and feel you're looking for."

What Falk said, far more succinctly, is that we use more strands so that we don't slice our fingers off, and so that the nocks fit properly. Thicker strings are a bit softer in the bow's nocks as well. The lighter the string, the more excess energy (that not imparted to the arrow) must be absorbed by the limbs of the bow and your hand. It is all a balance.

Killdeer

[Charlie Lamb]

When I can find my Traditional Bowman's Handbook it tells exactly what key an archer must shoot in to be traditional.... from memory I can tell ya 3 strands is the wrong key.

You should be good to go with 9 strands and up. I don't care much for strings as small as 9 strands (still have all my fangers) and typically set 12 strands as the bottom end.

Here's a basic guide I use.

12 strand...50# and under
14 strand...50# to 60#
16 strand...60# to 70#
18 strand...70# and up.

*I like all my strings to have 18-20 strands in the loops if using modern materials.

Dacron/B50. Is 50# per strand.

[Dan the man]

Thanks everyone for your input this is a great site lots of infomation here.