String making question

[Autumnarcher]

AS I mentioned in another thread, I tied my first strings tonight. Only problem is, they are coming out too short.

I followed the directions on the 3Rivers video to  the letter. Took the AMO length, subtracted 4" for recurve, and set the peg in the hole for a 52"AMO bow at 48". Tied it up, and it finished at 45". String loops are actually a little tight, so thats not the problem, and I didnt over twist it, if anything it could be twisted tighter. This happened on a string for a 66" bow too, about 3" short.

I adjusted and tied the string for the 66" bow on the 65" peg, and 51" for the 52" bow, and they are ok.

Is it likely the jig is off, or am I doing something else wrong?

[vermonster13]

The markings are for the bow's AMO length. SO a bow that says 60" AMO should have the string bundles made at the 60" peg.

[Autumnarcher]

Hmmm. ok. The video said to subtract 4" from the AMO and use that peg on the jig, but I'll give it a whirl the other way.

[Jwilliam]

I think your jig is off. I purchased a jig from one of the traditional suppliers and had the same problem. My strings kept comming out 3-4" shorter then they should be. I deceided to borrow my friends jig and build one like his. Never had a problem since I built my own board. It is my understanding that AMO string length should be 3" shorter on longbows and 4" shorter on recurves.


Bill

[frank bullitt]

Autumn archer, string jigs are not universal in my oppinion. Each individual will use different lengths to acheive same results. Keep records of your string lengths and markings on the board to customize the jig to your twisting. You will get it, just like a bowyer comes up with his recipe to build the bow for weight. Best to you and good twisting!

[LBR]

Took the AMO length, subtracted 4" for recurve, and set the peg in the hole for a 52"AMO bow at 48".  

That could be one problem.  AMO (ATA) says 3" shorter for any bow, recurve or longbow, but either one is hit or miss.  You need to know the actual string length--I've seen them vary from 1.5" shorter than the AMO bow length to 6" shorter.  I'd re-number the jig for string length--that will solve a lot of problems.

Something I always do is measure before starting the second loop.  Everyone is a little different, and so is working with different string materials.  For instance, the way I make strings requires me to start about 1/4" shy of the string length I want.......IF I'm using Dynaflight '97, 8125, or 450+.  If I'm using dacron, I start 5/8" or so past the length I want.  This gives me a string that's approx. 2" short when I finish twisting, which settles in just right after the string comes off my stretching jig.  This might work for you, or you might need to adjust a bit one way or the other.

Chad

[Autumnarcher]

I figured out the problem, the board is numbered for actual AMO of the bow, not the string length. I twisted a couple up today and they were perfect. Thanks to everyone for the tips.

I even twisted a 3 bundle tonight, it came out ok, but room for improvement is obvious. I put it on my carp shootin bow.

[vermonster13]

That's the way my board is marked.