Flemish board

[nontypical]

I want to start making my own strings and I see/hear about boards that use the bow length formula,then theres the actual string length board.Could someone please show a picture/diagram of each.Getting confused b4 I start.

THANKS
PETE

[southpawshooter]

Pete,

Ya' don't need all that.  Do yourself a big favor and get the Doin' the Twist DVD.  It goes over in great detail how to make a string jig, twist a string, etc.  I do not use a jig for flemish - just 2 nails in a board nailed at the right distance is all you need.  Hard to explain, but the strands are all cut the same length and then stagger cut as you twist up the flemish splice.  This method is also shown on the DVD -  here's a link to 3Rivers and the DVD.

   Doin\\' the Twist

[elk ninja]

http://www.geocities.com/salampsio/flemish1.htm
Best build/ twist along I have seen.
Mike

[Big Dave]

Personaly I think that the jig just confuses people ,because about all it does is to stagger your string ends so that they are not even. Of coarse I'm going called on that because there are diff. adjustments for over all length.I agree with southpawshooter in that you only need 2 nails. Your nails ,whether on a board on in a post like I use should be about 16 in further apart than the finished string length.then you just stagger your string ends and use the twist method shown on the site that elk ninja gave you. My 2cents     :D    :D

[SCATTERSHOT]

I use the two nail method, too. I agree with Dave that the board is confusing.

[elk ninja]

I guess I just picket up on the board quickly.  I can see how it would be confusing.  The board, as opposed to the two nail method, allows two things though.  Less material to start with as well as easier storage (although both could be debated), and I think that the staggered ends allow a smoother trasition.  The board also allows multiple string lengths, and it is all laid out there, no calculations as to string length.  My $.02
Semper Fi,
Mike

[Pat B]

I used the 2 nail method for many years. One nail is permanent and the other is movable with 1" increments. This is on my work bench and is always handy.
   I do have and use a board now(home made) but only because I can make strings and watch TV at the same time. My strings have only one loop and a bowyers knot(timber hitch).   Pat

[Littlefeather]

I'm the same way, I like the two nail method over the jig. I learned from the jig method first then Charlie Lamb showed me the old school method. I'm glad he showed me. I'll not go back to the jig again. CK

[Apex Predator]

The most time consuming, frustrating part of making flemish strings for me is the measuring/cutting of strands.  The board makes it very fast and sure beats laying them out on the floor next to a tape measure to cut each one!  I love my jig!

[SteveD]

Hi Pete,
 Here is a flemish board.
 http://www.tradgang.com/stuff_bin/stringjig.jpg

[LBR]

A board is nice if you do more than a few strings a year, but not required.  Joe Stark (my partner in "Doin' the Twist") uses an endless jig to measure off his bundles, then tapers them off manually while twisting up the loops.  Obviously either one will work, and it depends on who you ask which method works better.  After thousands of strings, I still like my board.

Chad

[nontypical]

Guys,thanks a heap for the info.

PETE