First string...please evaluate my work!

[Oliverstacy]

It may be a bit ugly…it may be a bit sloppy…it might be served to long…but I made it so I like it!        

Got my jig in late last week and after some unforeseen delays I’ve finally made a Flemish string.  Had to chase the cat away a couple of times and figure a bunch more things out but I finally did it.  Watched a friend build a couple and tried to twist one while he was watching…he later fixed it, but this one’s all mine.

I don’t think I want to shoot it because the loops might be a bit big but other than that I think it turned out okay for my first.  I even hit the length I was aiming for on the first try, it is on my 62” 50 @ 29” Martin Savannah.

16 strand B-50...this is the first time I've ever served a string, always wanted to do that after watching people for years do this very thing!

First loop:
   

Second loop:
   

One end of the serving:
   

The other end:
   


One problem area...looks like one strand of string was a touch loose and wrapped with the other bundle, it only does this for about a 10" section:
   

Thanks,

Josh

[Crooked Stic]

Nice lookin to me.

[Barry Winner]

Looks good!  Same color I have on my 53@28 Savannah.  The next one will be even better.

[d. ward]

Nice work thats a great looking flemish twist string right there..bowdoc

[Chris Surtees]

Good looking string and just think you will only get better with time      

[ishoot4thrills]

Looks like you been doin' it for years.

[cacciatore]

Well done,keep going

[Oliverstacy]

Do the loops look too large to shoot?  I held them up to my old string that is completely worn out and they are just a touch larger.  I'm worried about them slipping out of the nock grove as I shoot.

Also it's a 16 strand string...can I go down 2 strands to 14 and still be safe since its b-50?  I don’t know if it’s the material I was working with or if 16 is a lot to twist but they seem fat and awkward to twist.  Maybe since I’m just starting out it will all feel better tonight when I do another one.

Also after I got it all twisted up the string wanted to spin back like a telephone cord if I release tension…after I got it on the bow and served it didn’t want to do this.  I stretched it with my hand dandy tools, I took the bottom loop and put my spike antler in it and stepped on that and used my 3 point shed as a bar to push up to put some pre-tension in the string.  Actually that helped it not want to untwist also.

Thanks all for the replies; it took a while to build.

Josh

[unclewhit]

If that was your first try, You can make my strings any time . Good job.  

[Indie]

This one sure looks good to me!

Stefan

[Bjorn]

Wish mine were as good!

[Oliverstacy]

So it's good enough to shoot?

Thanks all for the kind comments...it was fun to make!

Josh

[Jeff Strubberg]

Plenty good enough.  If the string sits down in the nocks it will stay in place jsut fine.

And 16 strands is pretty big for a 50 pound bow.  I use 12 strands up to 55#, and 14 would give you a lot of insurance until you are more comfortable with getting all of the strands carrying equal load.

[Squint]

Nice string,and I agree with Jeff about 12 strands of B-50,Ive been shooting 12 strand,on my bows,49 to 53lbs for years,and never had one break.I put on new strings each year,I just like making them. Good luck
           John

[Oliverstacy]

Thanks guys a lot for looking...I'm going to build another one tonight and go with either 12 or 14 strands and start shooting it.

I'm also going to get some D97 string so I can make some FF strings.

Thanks for all the kind words…I think I’m going to save this one as a gauge for all the rest.  Plus 20 years from now I’ll still have it unlike the first set of arrows I made 20+ years ago, wonder how many arrows I’ve fletched over the years and the money it’s saved me!  Has to be close to 100 dozen arrows with all the new sets, ones I’ve re-fletched and sets I’ve given to friends in return for doing me a favor.  I could do the same with strings going forward.

Josh

[drewsbow]

Josh : Looks really good , nice job. I like to keep my lower loop as small as I can , this helps keep the string on the lower limb when unstrung. Keep going your doing great:0)  Drew

[jcarter]

Looks like a pro did it!

[john fletch]

Looks great to me.  I believe a custom string should have a tight loop on the lower limb and just enough width so the loop does not spread when it slides down the limb.  That takes most of the fear out of falling out of the string nocks.  I have seen a lot of bows that need a bit of tweaking of the string nocks either deeper or down angled so the strung loop sits right.  Your bows looks very good.

[d. ward]

Josh again nice looking string.I use a 12 strand B-50 with padded loop and serving on all of my 55# hunting bows.12 strands will hold 50-55 with no problemo.And actually gives a bit faster arrow speed then a 16 strand string on the same bow...bowdoc