string making

[Full Draw Too]

Hi Guys, i'm just about done with my first bow! it's been a long haul and alot of learning along the way. Some may take this stuff for granted but when you never did it before there is LOTS to learn. I want to thank all of you for being there with just the pushing on the key board and getting answers!LOL ANYWHO, I want to make a Bow string for my first bow and I'm wondering just where to start? what kind of string? and how many strands? can you tell I have lots of questions here? There are so many different kinds of strings and types or styles to make , where do I start? I'll sit back and wait for the Bowyers to give me the much needed advice on this topic.

John 14:6

[Roy from Pa]

http://www.rmsgear.com/store/pc/tutorial_string_2bundle.asp

Also do a search on you tube for Flemish strings, tons of them on there.

[jsweka]

Yes,  lots out there on YouTube and that's how I learned.

Don't be intimidated.  Building a string is much easier than you think and I kick myself now for not learning how to do it sooner.  I wasted a lot of $$ on buying strings over the years.

[Pat B]

Chad Weaver's(LBR) DVD "Doing the Twist" is a very good instructional video. Chad is a regular member and a sponsor.

[takefive]

I learned from the link that Roy posted, but as it's been said there are many other tutorials out there.  It took me awhile to twist and wrap in the right directions and to make decent loops and get the length right.  Don't get discouraged; it gets easier quickly.  I started with B50 Dacron, but mostly use D97 now just because it stretches less.  Bet if you do a search on here you'll find some good info on how many strands to use for the draw weight of your bow.

[MikeWinVA]

There is a fellow on Youtube that makes lots of PVC bows.  He has instructions on how to build a continuous loop jig from Home Depot parts and it is pretty good.    Loop Jig

If you want to build a flemish string jig, I used this site:    Flemish Jig  He has a video and a printable layout for the jig.  Just need nails and a 2 x 4 for this one.

[mikkekeswick]

String strength - 4/5 times the draw weight of the bow.
50# bow = 200 - 250# string.
B50 breaks at about 35# per strand.
Most of the 'fastflight'(dyneema) type strings break at around 70#
From there it's simple maths.
Endless loop strings are the fastest but noisy.
Flemish twist lose a little speed but are quieter.
Thin strings are faster than thicker strings but a thicker string is much quieter.

[MikeWinVA]

Flemish twist is a bit more forgiving of length due to stretch, setting brace height and if you make it too long.  

You can twist and untwist to adjust for brace height, if it stretches just wind it up a bit the same if you made it too long (which is what I tend to do).

Use B-50 or B-55 if you are not using hard tip overlays.  The lighter, faster, strings with less shock absorption and lower string counts can cut into the string groove in tips that are not reinforced.

[ColonelSandersLite]

I recently started making my own strings and here's the resources I found most useful.

This tutorial is very clear:
   

Serving a bowstring:
   

This has a good layout to use if you want to make your own Flemish string jig (dirt cheap and easy):
  http://poorfolkbows.com/flemish1.htm  

Making a serving tool:
 


Oh, it's worth mentioning that I reccomend 2 modifications to that flemish string jig as presented.

First, use a pair of heavier nails on the left side of the board as shown in that diagram.  This makes a sturdy platform for twisting, as is used in that bearpaw video.

Second, put a nail every half an inch in order to be able to make bowstrings in 1" increments, instead of the 2" increments shown.  To dial in the scale, just start with a single nail about midlength down the board to make your first bow string.  Stretch it out as best as you can once you made it and see what length it comes out to.  Place your length scale nails from there accordingly.  Remember that shifting your scale a 1/4" will result in a 1/2" difference in your final strings.  I would advise against writing a permanent set of numbers on the scale until you've made a few bowstrings to dial it in.

[L82HUNT]

Originally posted by mikkekeswick:

Endless loop strings are the fastest but noisy.
Flemish twist lose a little speed but are quieter.
Thin strings are faster than thicker strings but a thicker string is much quieter.

Endless are faster, by how much?  1-2fps  maybe

Flemish lose speed?

Thin strings are faster. If your talking 14 strands b50 compared to 10 of 452x.  Yes.   Talking 18 strands 452 compared to 10 of 452 maybe if you have a hooter shooter. By 1-2 fps.  

Thick string is quiter, NEver for me.  How is the string made.  If I make both my skinny will be quiter

[macbow]

I like the video on making the serving tool. Can always use another. I hate changing spools.

[frank bullitt]

Yes, string building was so simple 30 years ago when I started! Dacron and kevlar for string, nylon, and monofilament, for serving!

As for bowyers advice on strings,