My Flemish mess.

[wihill]

What a mess.    :p  

Always trying to learn something new about this wonderful sport, I tried my hand today at making a Flemish Twist string.

Ordered up some B50, made a rude 2x4 equivalent of a jig courtasy of the instructions in the HowTo section, googled up a few different versions of "instructions", watched a youtube video or two - and dove in.

I don't know how you guys can turn these strings out with such frightening precision and cleanliness.        Strung it up on my 58" recurve and checked, double checked, and TRIPLE checked everything.  Gave it a couple pulls, and yep - still works.  

I'm going to take it off - I just don't trust it at the moment, but for a first shake at it, it wasn't TOO frighteningly ugly.

Fingers are still covered in wax, makes typing fun.  

Well, as long as I'm dirty, might as well make another one...

  :D    

[talkingcabbage]

watch out, it's addicting.  just don't do like I did and forget which way to wind that second loop.  the last string I made took me about 2 hours to figure out what I was doing wrong (I hadn't made a string in about 6 months, and forgot)!

Joe

[VA Bowbender]

It does take a bit of practice.  The more you make the better they'll get.  I haven't seen any you tube videos, do they show back twisting?

[wihill]

Nope, at least I didn't catch the  whole "backtwisting" part...         I must have unwound the string 3-4 times before I figured out what the heck I was doing wrong.  Frustrating watching that loose end spiral out, but that's why it's called learning.    :D

I never thought I'd appreciate a chip clip as much as I do now.

[DannyBows]

I feel your pain! I got a string board and a video and just couldn't get the twists right, or right length. Put it aside for now and will attack it again when I have more time. You did much better than I did, I couldn't have mine in the same room as my bows, let alone string one up with it!
Dan

[Lechwe]

Pictures!!!!!!!!!!

[Overspined]

i got instructions off of some random website and made a board and started twisting. I found that it will take a couple of strings until you get comfortable with it, but really going to a 3 bundle string if you haven't yet gives your strings an extra nice round look, and if you want multicolors. I am a bit cheap and the spools of FF last a long time, so all of mine are red/black, even the three bundle. I am proficient now, but I do take my time and just watch a TV show while twisting them up. Once you get a rythm, stick to your recipe, because the measurements are different for every change you make. Some start with 8" ends to start the loops, some with longer, etc. All of these things will change the length of finished string. I recommend measuring up for about 1" longer string than you need so you can always shorten by twisting, also when you shoot the string will stretch/creep a touch to lenthen. So if your string is short, it may end up close to good.

[jmc334]

Chad (LBR on here) has a DVD called doing the twist that will save you a lot of trial and error.

[wihill]

Second one came out a LOT nicer.   :D

This one I'd be happy to have on a bow... while not "perfect" or as nice as the ones I buy, at least the ends resemble a flemish twist.  

I still somehow managed to mess up the backtwist again, but I caught it early enough that I could unwind what I did and start over in the correct direction.  Still ended up short - 55.5" for a 60" AMO recurve, but by the time it stretches out a bit it should be perfect.   :D

I need to make a definate guide for the string ends to determine actual length, that's what's giving me the most grief.  The start is perfect, the second I usually choke up on because I'm more worried about what's going on down the string.

I think I need different wax too - I'm using this stuff from Bohning, SealTite?  The ends are still all over the place...       Maybe I'll swing past Hobbylobby and look for some bees wax.  

It's a lot of fun though!   I'll try and get some pics up tonight.

[vtmtnman]

Originally posted by Lechwe:
Pictures!!!!!!!!!!

See...I'm not the only one...          :D    

[Aeronut]

I start twisting 8" from the end of the bundles.  Twist for 3" then make the loop and twist the remaining 5" into the main string.

It is important that you have all the bundles even when you start the other loop or the string will be weird looking and unusable.  Twist this loop the same as the first.

Dennis

[wharvey]

Wihill
"The ends are still all over the place..."

I assume that you are referring to small strands sticking out. As long as the strings hold I wouldn't worry about it. What you did is to twist in some miniature string silencers.    

I've shot one bow using a string with this "feature" for a couple of years without a problem.

[frassettor]

Chris, Chris, Chris   :rolleyes:    :rolleyes:  Keep at it, would love to see one next time we get toghter

[Rick Perry]

"The ends are still all over the place..."


 just trim em off ....... nuthin to worry about  ......OR just leave em hangin they actually are very effective silencers !!!!!...... you will learn on every string and you will get better at it !!!!!

[kevsuperg]

if you havent already,try a flemish with a timberhitch at the lower limb. only have to twist up one loop that way. i've made em that way for years,never a problem.