My first Flemish String

[Bob G]

Got the bug to build my own bowstrings, got all my stuff together, built a jig and off I went. Well, I just finished the first one, It's no work of art but I believe it is servicable. Now I'm left with a few questions.
 First I have a lot of tag ends sticking out where the loop braids back into the string. Will I not have these as I get better and can I just trim these first ones off?
 Second should I let the string stretch out before I do the serving or go ahead and do it now? And how long does it take to get the stretch out (how long if you are scared to pull your first string to full draw)?
 Third will the feeling ever come back in my fingers from twisting?
 Thanks for your help and all the build alongs. one can learn sooooo much here.

[George Tsoukalas]

You can trim the tag ends or leave them. I usually just leave them. Yes, let the string stretch before serving. Measure the brace height and you can tell when it stops stretching. Why are your fingers numb? You only need to reverse twist the loops. Twist away and towards you. If you do it that way, once the second loop is twisted then hang one of the loops on a nail and twist the body of the string counterclockwise.  Jawge

[portugeejn]

I try to leave my new strings strung for at least overnight, and preferably 24 hrs before I serve them.  If I can't wait as long as I'd like, I serve them so the twist of the serving will be tightened as I twist the string to make it shorter.  The string will always stretch a little (or lot) more, and I've never had to lengthen a string once it was served-only made them shorter.  

Your fingers will get stronger as you make more strings, and your technique will get better and it won't get as tiring.  

I trim the tag ends off with a pair of fingernail clippers I keep in the string box for that reason.  It seems I always have a few, some strings more than others.  Then I wax the string well and rub it with some old canvas pieces I have or some leather.  That will form the last of the tag ends into the string, improve the appearance and lengthen the life of the string.

It can become addictive, and I've found myself making strings for friends and extras for the bows I own.

RonP

[wihill]

String making is something that eventually I hope to learn.  That's awesome that you even got to the point that it's servicable!  Just wanted to say great job.

[rbbhunt]

I usually get the initial stretch out of it by stringing the bow or stretching it such as by pens in the loops and holding one end under my feet and the other by hand and pulling while vigorusly rubbing wax into it with a piece of leather.  Don't be afraid of rubbing it till it gets a little warm.

[Bob G]

I left the new string on the bow last night and it stretched about 1/2" on the brace height. I twisted it back and shot it a few times this morning, it droped another 1/2" on the brace height. Should that do it or will it stretch anymore? Thanks for all the replies. This is neat.

[zilla]

I built a simple string stretcher. Used a 1/4" eye bolt, a piece of chain and a toggle bolt.  I stretch the crap outa the new string and then adjust to length, and serve while it is on the stretcher.

[Eric Krewson]

If you make a string a little too long for your bow and have to twist it up a lot to fit the bow it will continue to stretch for a long time.

If you make a string with 15 to 25 twists initially it will settle in much faster.

You will have to find the right formula on your jig to make just the right length string for your bow.

On my jig I find I have to put my peg in the 61" hole and make my loops 7 1/2" on the top and 7" on the bottom to make a perfect string for a 62" bow.  

Numb fingers are a sign of carpel tunnel syndrome, I have the same problem myself and can only make about 3 strings a day max.

[Danny Roberts]

I put my serving on right after I'm done with my 18 strand string and start shooting and have experienced hardly any stretch, just lucky I guess. Have fun !

[Apex Predator]

When I first brace the bow I do the old string wax and piece of leather trick.  You want to rub it a whole bunch until it gets hot.  It will take most of the stretch out right then.  I may lose 1/4-3/8" brace over a day or two after I do that.