String stretch: How much, how often?

[Geezer]

I measured it today and found it had stretched 1/4" over the last 4 months.  Is that pretty common?

[Bjorn]

Most materials will stretch a bit and then quit. I'd say 1/4" in 4 mos is very good depending on how often you use the bow and whether or not you leave it strung. B50 stretches the most. Many of the various FF types hardly stretch at all.
String guys refer to it as 'creep'; stretch is when it elongates and goes back.    

[manitou1]

When I put a new string on a bow, it seems to stretch about 1/4" initially, then "sets" and doesn't stretch much more.
At one time I did get a bad custom made string and it stretched indefinitely until I removed it from the bow.  I believe it would have come apart eventually.

[Geezer]

AWP: Thanks for the advice.  I had two strings from one maker come apart on me so I quit him.  So far this new one hasn't come apart, but it is stretching more than I thought it would.

I use D97 strings. A new string will stretch a bit and I have to readjust brace height several times. After a couple hundred shots the string settles and I only have to adjust every once in a while and the adjustment is only 1 or 2 twists (I am kind of a fanatic about keeping my brace height correct).

Bisch

[Razorbak]

Properly made string should stretch no more than 1/4" then stop. The stringer was either to long to begin with and or the braids wasn't tight enough when string was made. A lot of good string makers on this site. If I didn't make my own I would buy from any of them especially Allen from LRU strings since I had one of his strings on a bow I receive  and it was perfect. Stretched less than 1/4" and stop after that

[Pat B]

I use nothing but B-50 on all the bows I make(selfbows). I make each string. I prestretch each string as I make it and it stretches a little more with the first 100 shots but after that I rarely have to adjust it. Even if I do have to adjust the string it only takes a minute and I consider it part of my archery experience.

[LBR]

"I measured it today and found it had stretched 1/4" over the last 4 months. Is that pretty common?"

It's not uncommon.

All materials have some amount of stretch, that will recover once the tension is removed.  All have some creep, which won't recover.

How much depends on a lot of variables:  material, temps, strand count, draw weight, how it was made, etc.

Chad

[Pat B.]

When E.F. Hutton speaks ------

You have to be a bit older to remember...

But Chad is here today ..

[JamesKerr]

Originally posted by Bisch:
I use D97 strings. A new string will stretch a bit and I have to readjust brace height several times. After a couple hundred shots the string settles and I only have to adjust every once in a while and the adjustment is only 1 or 2 twists (I am kind of a fanatic about keeping my brace height correct).

Bisch

I do the exact same thing except I use fast flight plus. I find that strings stretch around 1/4 to 3/8" on average and then don't stretch or creep anymore.

[toddster]

Depends on material and how well waxed.  for a new bow or string, I shoot it at least a hundred shots, then I set brace height and nock point, usually good for about a year, depending on how much you shoot.  I waxed my string (loops and all) once a month.

[AkDan]

I shoot the D material and my skinny hasnt moved in awhile.  Until its unstrung and strung again!  

Buying a string depending on where they come from will stretch based on the person building and how well they took the initial creep out.   if someone sits there and puts a freshly twisted string on, it's going to moves like crazy!