Center Serving help

[Kentucky Jeff]

I've got a bowstring that needs new centerserving.  Its a semi-skinny string and when I serve it with .021 #62XS Braid I don't get a thick enough serving to hold a standard easton X nock etc.  

If I double serve its too thick.  

How do you fellas crack this nut?

[Chris P. Bacon]

Try using the thicker size, i believe 3R has a .025, or you could get the smallest, .018 and double serve it with that.

[Pete McMiller]

It's a bit problematic.  I make my own strings and have been using 8 strand in either 8125 or Dyna-10.  Currently with my Carbon Express nocks I just serve normally with a .024 braid and the nocks snap right on and don't need any modifications.  With Gold Tip arrows and nocks I have used 1)- tape, like masking tape, under the serving in the nock area.  Works OK but doesn't last as long as I'd like.  2)- Dentil floss to build it up after it's served but, again, it doesn't last too long before it gets frayed - the up side is that it's easy to replace. 3)- build up the area with normal string material after serving - same problems as dentil floss only it might last a bit longer.  4)- I have tried adding extra string material under the serving but it's a bitch to keep it all lined up while you serve but the biggest problem is that the string is no longer round.

I think the best solution might be to do your best with the string and serving and then modify your nocks to fit properly.

One other thing, make sure you have both a top and bottom nocking point.  I recently have tried the method posted on here by McDave (I think) and it works great.  Make them a little closer together and they will also capture the nock real well.

I'm interested in what other solutions guys have found to this dilema.

[JRY309]

Yes would try the thicker No 62 in a .025 or maybe Halo in .024.I measure the diameter of my strings with a caliper,I try to get my finished diameter around .105 to .110.This will give you a good fit for X-nocks.

[Keefer]

Jeff,
  You could also heat up some water and let the nock on your arrow sit in the water a minute and then remove it and set it on the string and just put a little pressure on it till it gets some memmory back into it and cools down...If too tight then sit it back in the water and reverse the process...

[Bud B.]

I have cut strings about 2" longer than the serving length I desire. With string wax bond those strands, be it two, three, or however many, to the center portion of your bowstring. Do this to thicken up your center serving.

Wrap as normal. Once you get about an inch of serving wrapped around try a nock on it for size and increase or reduce strands as necessary.

[Pete W]

.030 serving is what I use

[Night Wing]

I use Easton Super Nocks. I don't have a skinny string since I'm using 12 strands of D97. The serving is 62XS in size (.025).

[LEWIS VADEN]

What Pete W. said

[Bjorn]

You can use some dental floss right in the nock area to thicken the serving up a bit and make string nocks from the same material.

[Kentucky Jeff]

Well, I bought some .024 Halo and tried that and I'm amazed it makes that big a difference over the .021 62XS but it does.  Of course for $29 a spool it should fix my release too!  

Problem solved for now.  Onward and upward.

[smokin joe]

I get some flat dental floss from the drugstore and wrap a layer or two around the serving before I install my nock points (tied on points made of dentil floss). The tape-style floss is so thin that I can get a custom fit, and the tied on nock points capture the ends of the floss wrap. When I am done, I coat the whole thing with super glue.

I change my strings once a year, and the floss lasts the whole year.

It is easier to do than it sounds.
Joe

[Javi]

I just don't use a string so skinny that .030 Diamondback won't make my nock fit...  :D

[PICKNGRIN]

I have had good luck using a length of masking tape under the serving.  I use a piece about 3" long and only enough width of the tape to go around the string once.  I start my serving above the tape and then serve right over the tape.  The guys on "Keep It Simple Archery" (a sponsor here) have a video on their site demonstrating this with the tape and also using a couple extra pieces of bow string material under the serving.

[Bill Carlsen]

Before I serve my string I mark about 1" of the string where the nocking point will go. I serve that area with fine nylon thread, the kind used in sewing tents, for one layer. Then I simply server over it with my regular Halo serving and I have a perfect fit for my X nocks. I've tried the extra strings under the serving but man, it's a real pain for me to get right. I have never used the tape that Pickngrin describes. In the old days I used to serve over the regular serving with the nylon but in time it seemed to slip or wear. My new system is much better...for me.

[bigbuck150]

I think some .025  bow string serving  would give you the fit you need or you could use dental floss as mentioned above.

[yeager]

For the past couple of years I've been using plumber's Teflon tape as a base layer and then serve over that instead of double serving.  You just have to experiment on how much tape to use for the string material and strand count.  Plus, it's cheaper than using two different serving material.

[LBR]

I'm out of town now, but I can get .030 Halo and .032 PowerGrip well below retail.

Personally, I don't use low strand count strings.  Never found a real benefit to them.

[black velvet]

What Yeager said. That's how I do it.

[ChuckC]

I add strands of the same bowstring material under the serving till I get it right.  Serve right over the top of them.
ChuckC