Flemish string problems

[pseman]

What am I doing wrong?? I just started shooting trad back in February and have now had my second flemish string start unraveling. One was purchased from 3 Rivers, and this second one was a Lazer brand. I put both strings on, twisted them to the appropriate brace height and started shooting. Both strings started unraveling after only a few practice sessions. I have tried to braid the ends back into the string, but have had limited success(I don't really know what I'm doing). Is this uncommon? I have one string that I ordered from LBR(Chad) for my longbow that has no problems and I am about to order one for my recurve from him BUT, is there something that I may be doing to cause this??

I really like the look of the flemish strings, but if this is commonplace, I'm gonna go back to endless loop style.

[Fletcher]

The only time I've had a flemish splice string come loose on me was when I untwisted it too much.        The string needs twist to hold it together.  I like to see about one twist per inch and no less than one in two.

[styckbow]

I agree with fletcher the only reason would be is the string was untwisted too much I believe there are a couple of threads on this site on how too make a flemish string and also a number of sponsers that sell excellent flemish strings. If you would like to know the ones I have had expeience with pm me and I'll give you all the details Delin

[BearPaw]

Flecther is right put some twist in the string and you won't have a problems unless there was some minor nices in the string material when it was put together.I did have that problem early this year.I've been making string for quite a few years and I'm not afraid to put twist in them and good waxing also helps including loops.

[dachba]

Are you sure they are unraveling?  It's not uncommon, since the strands on a flemish are of different lengths, to see some ends come loose after bracing and shooting the bow.  To a new person, this may seem like the string is unraveling.  I handle this on the strings I make by trimming the strands flush before bracing the bow.  When you brace the bow, the strands will pull into the bundle making for a less scraggly looking string.

Dave in Ft. Collins, CO

[LBR]

Sounds like you just have a few tag ends popping out--that happens.  If that's the case, and they bother you, you can use nail clippers to trim them off if they are dacron.  If they are a different material, you can (CAREFULLY) trim them off with an x-acto knife.  Nail clippers won't usually cleanly cut the stronger materials.

Chad

[pseman]

How long can they be before I should be concerned? I have tucked/braided them back into the string as best I can, but if they pop out again, should I be concerned if they are over 1/4", 1/2", or more?

[LBR]

It's not likely, but there's a possibility the loops are slipping.  I've seen some really poorly made strings that still held up fine (including some of my first attempts)--only saw one that actually had the loops slip (wasn't mine).

It's hard to say without actually seeing the strings.  If they have a very short marriage (where the ends come back into the string to form the loop), it could be a reason for concern.  

Chad

[TRADITIONAL ONLY]

say, this is a little off topic, but could one of yall give me a link to the flemish string building thread...


its probabbly nothing major, when mine started doin that i didnt know any better and didnt think anything about it, still works fine, but i usually replace my strings when they look fuzzy all over (it took a long time shooting one to make it look likr that though...).. just my two cents worth..

[macbow]

If it's a fast flight string looking fuzzy it's nothing to be concerned about. A little wax doesn't hurt anyway.

on the unraveling question, I think the guys got it right it's just the tag ends, I sometimes use a lighter to burn them back a little. If your brace height was getting lower as well then unraveling may be it.
Ron

[pseman]

Thanks for the replies. I'll trim back any loose ends and keep an eye on them for any further unraveling.

[Aeronut]

Here's a how-to.

 http://www3.sympatico.ca/ragiwarmbear/diy/flemish/flemish.html

Dennis