Strings and string noise

[Little John]

I been playing around making strings for some time now. (10 years) In the past week, I made about 15 strings trying to see what is the quietest. All of them were out of DF97. I made anywhere from 18 strand down to 12 strand with a padded loop and center serving.I got a very quiet string at 12 strand and 4 extra strands in the loop and center serving. This string is as quiet as I have ever heard on a recurve. Well, I make 3 more for back ups on my elk hunt. I copied the original to a tee. Same amount of twists, same length center serving, same everything! Not one of the 3 extra strings are as quiet as the first.(Quite a fit more noise) I'm just trying to see if anyone can help me out here. What makes a quiet string? What did I do the first string that I missed the next 3? They are all the same length, 60" bow and 56" strings. There has to be an answer to this, I just can't seem to think it out.

[Orion]

I'm at a loss to explain it.  Have you shot them all about an equal number of times?  Did you twist them about the same, i.e., is one twisted a lot compared to one that has little twisting?  Same string silencers?  Are you shooting them all in the same place.  Some environs can aplify/accentuate sound.  

I've had 12 strand D-97 strings come on a few bows that I've purchased.  My preference is for 14 strands of D-97, which I make myself.  To me, the 14-strand strings seem just a tad quieter, but it might be in my head.  Sorry I can't be of more help.

[Little John]

Orion, the first string was quiet from the word go. I shot it about 100 arrows or so before putting the next string on. I have about 100 shots from all 4 strings now. I'm shooting them all outside and they are all twisted the same, same silencers. I did get the second string quieted down a bit more by moving the silencers around. I would hunt with any of the 4 strings, but the one that is on the bow right now, the first one I made, is way quieter. I sure wish I could figure out what is making it so quiet.

[T Nichols]

John, Have you ever noticed that each single strand of string is twisted? Are you sure you arranged then all with each strand laying the same direction off of the spool....I realized this years ago when I built custom string/cables for a couple archery stores around here.

If all the single strands that make up each Lay are not oriented the same direction, once you start twisting the Lays together, you'll get some strands twisting one way & some twisting another.....

You can see this Single Strand Twist that I'm talking about under a magnify glass....

Terry

[Little John]

Terry, I knew that they were twisted, but didn't think that would make a difference. I"ll try making another string tomorrow and make sure the string stays twisted as I take it off the spool. I'll let you know how quiet it is. JOHN

[T Nichols]

yep, I found this out the hardbway...if you twist the string in the same direction as the single strands are twisted, the string will lay totally diff than if the string is twisted against the natural single strand twist.....

just a thought.....

Terry

[Little John]

Terry, what is your take on adding wax to the string? I have been making them with just the wax that is on the spool?

[T Nichols]

I don't add any wax. I don't see any need to add wax other than to hold the tails together while your twisting them together.....

Once I twist both ends, I hook one of the ends & stretch the string a little just to get the 2 colors straight & then put 4-5 twist in string, just  to hold it together.

Then I put 250 lbs of pressure on it & it will stretch about 5/8 inch. I then twist it down to correct length, about 20-25 twist. I don't like abunch of twist, just enough to get nice round string......

Terry

[Little John]

I made another sting this evening and twisted it in the direction of the string twists. The string is quiet, not as quiet as the first, but more so than the others. BCY fibers told me I needed a 14 strand string instead of 12. I also made my nocks fit a bit looser on this string. This was the only real difference I could find on the original 4 strings. The first one just held the nock and the other 3 were just a tad tighter on my nocks.

[T Nichols]

glad you got things worked out. I also use 14 strand strings but out of 8125....seams though 16 strand is more stable....

Terry

[Overspined]

start building 3 bundle and I think they are quieter...JMO

[JRY309]

I make all my strings the same,a 12 strand D97 with two extra strands per bundle with .024 Halo serving.A 12 strand D97 is strong enough for upto a 100# bow.I use 12 strands on my bows from 50# to 83# with no problem at all.And it gives me the same nock fit on my bows.