string-making question

[Andy Cooper]

Just because, I'm thinking of learning to make my own flemish strings. About how many 60" strings can be made from a 1 lb spool of B55?  Thanks!

(I'll probably wind up with enough to make several lifetimes of strings!  :eek:    :D  )

[lpcjon2]

Get two colors to make it look better and easier for you and you will have more than enough to make plenty for years.

[FerretWYO]

I have one I have never used up    Maybe a sponsor or someone who builds a lot can answer this one.

[Lee Robinson .]

depending on the number of strands...if one color (one spool being used for ALL the strands), I would say 50. That is a guess.

[LBR]

Depends on the number of strands, length of strands, etc.

I've never counted with B-55, but I got 80 (12 strand) strings from a one pound spool of Dynaflight '97.  Dynaflight is a smaller strand, so you get approximately 6,700 feet of material per pound compared to 4,300 feet for a pound of B-55.

Without doing the math, I'd say Lee's estimate of 50 strings should be pretty close.

Chad

[Andy Cooper]

Thanks y'all. Looks like I should maybe stick with the 1/4 lb spools! Is the DVD 3 Rivers has on stringmaking good?

[LBR]

They carry two right now--one of them is quite a bit more in-depth (nearly two hours).  They will have a new one before too long--should be out before the end of the year.

Chad

[CG]

Lee's guess is right on the money.  Assuming a 56" string (would make a 57" string once placed under tension), allowing an extra 22" for the ends, then you would have 6.5' per strand.  15 strand strings would get you 44 strings, 14 strands 48, and 12 strands 55 strings per 1# spool respectively.

Andy, I may be down in your part of the world in the next week or so.  If you like, I'd be happy to show you what I know.

[Rob DiStefano]

get a pair of 1/4# spools, 2 different colors, and yer set for making a good 2 dozen strings @ 14 strands/string.

don't forget a string serving stool and serving thread!

[Andy Cooper]

Originally posted by LBR:
They carry two right now--one of them is quite a bit more in-depth (nearly two hours).  They will have a new one before too long--should be out before the end of the year.

Chad

Thanks, Chad. Your strings are so good, though, I may just chuck the whole idea!