Skinny strings

[Michael Pfander]

I have been making skinny strings [6 strand] for about 4 years now.  I pad the loops to make them 12 strand.  These are flemish twist strings.  I started out making them with D-97 and now make them with Astro-Flight.  The problem I can't seem to resolve is stretching.  I thought that after a week of shooting there would be no more stretch with these materials.  That has not been the case.  They seem to stretch forever.  They don't fail so I can't figure out where the extra length is coming from.  Thoughts.....

MAP

[Swamp Yankee]

I'm no flemish string maker, but the D10 skinny strings I'm using now don't move a bit after I burnish in the wax and 20 or 30 shots.

[Bowmania]

They're not stretching.  They're growing.  LOL!!!
That's why they don't fail.  

On a serious note, I don't think a 12 strand string is considered a "skinny string" unless it's for a 150 pound bow.

Bowmania

[frank bullitt]

What weight are you shooting, sir?

I have made 8 and 10 in Astro Flight, no complaints, yet. Also, what are you using in the padding, dacron or the Astro Flight? How much twists in the string?

[Steelhead]

I have used 8-10 strand Astro Flight built by Steve above.I have not had any problems with stretch once the string settles in.

I do burnish the strings as well with some wax and a small piece of leather immediatly upon stringing them up.After shooting it and keepping the bow strung for a few days it has settled in for me.

[David McLendon]

Switch to Ultra-Cam.

[Michael Pfander]

The strings are 6 strands between the loops.  I pad the loops with 6 more strands of what ever string material I'm using.  What I mean is that I have to keep adding twists to maintain brace height for the life of the string.

MAP

[Steelhead]

I would make 2 more strings in 8 and 10 strand and see what happens.I think the Astroflight in 8 or 10 would be better.I have not tried 6 strands in Astroflight.But have tried 8,10 and 12 and was very satisfied and had no issues.

I would go ahead and burnish that 6 strand and see if that does not help you out.wax it well and go up and down the string fast to build up some friction and heat with a piece of leather about 3 by 3 inches.

[cacciatore]

Hi Michael,I have some D97 that stretch forever and some D10 that don't move also if you cry.

[David McLendon]

If you want a 6 strand string then changing to 8 or 10 will be of no use to you. Ultra Cam will not creep after it settles in and it doesn't move much or at all then depending on the bow poundage. I use 6 strands of UC for 55# and under and 8 up to 65# with no problems.

[frank bullitt]

Michael, you didn't answer my question on the weight, or the twists.

Fellas, I make Ultra Cam strings for a well known bowyer, and have made the Astro Flights also in the strands mentioned. Never seen this much creep in either.

D-10 and Astro Flight are one in the same, just different companies. No one has the Magic Material!

[Bjorn]

My experience has been the same, 6 strands of D97 creeps daily and Ultra stays put. For my 50# bows I use 6 strands of UC and loops padded to 14. SBD builds a string to those specs and does a great job.

[Rob DiStefano]

i've spun up 4 and 6 strand padded loop endless strings of dynaflight'97 and f8125 with no stretch/creep at all.

[Michael Pfander]

Frank: Pardon me I wasn't paying as much attention as I should have.  I mostly shoot bows that draw between 58# and 62#.  I use the old 10x draw weight formula for string size.  The Atro-Flight breaks at 125 so I figure 6 is enough.  I normally put in no more than 10 to 15 twists before I put it on the bow.  The string I just made is a good example.  It'
s for my 70" 21st century I made it 66 1/2" twisted it to 66", put it on the bow and had my 6 1/2 brace when I started to serve it.  When I had finished I was at 5 3/4".  I made it Monday of this week.  This AM as I write this I added twists to bring it to 6 5/8" before I shot.  It now measures 6 1/4".  I had assumed that I was doing something wrong but I guess it is what it is.
MAP

[michigan bill]

frank bullitt has made a half dozen or so astro flight strings for me and i don't think i've had 1/32 of an inch stretch in all six strings combined.
bill