String making questions.

[mellonhead]

I made a post a few days ago looking for advise on string materials.  I was gonna order a new string for my Hill bow.  I have decided to take advantage of the opertunity and learn how to twist my own.  I have tore a few strings apart and redid them for practice. What I am wondering is there an easier string material to learn on?  I would prefer to use a material that I don't need to pad the loops on.  Any and all advise would be welcomed.  Thanks.

Toby

[McDave]

As long as you have 14 or more strands in your string, there should be no need to pad the loops.  If you use the old standard, B50 Dacron, you might want to use 16 strands, depending on the bow weight.  For some of the modern fast flight strings, 14 strands might be a little overkill, but you can certainly do that as opposed to using 8 strands and padding the loops.  You would lose a few fps, but probably wouldn't notice the difference unless you shoot through a chronograph.

[slivrslingr]

Buy 2 spools of B-50, one black the other white.  You can make a ton of strings and it's affordable enough that if a few aren't quite right, you're not out much money.

[LBR]

Like anything else, good instruction is the key.

Dacron, to me, is the most frustrating material to learn with.  It has so much stretch and creep that gauging the correct length can be tough.

Padding the loops is quick and simple.  Don't let that be a deciding factor.

14 strands of some material is fine, with others it's not.  Thread diameters can vary a LOT.  450+ is a pretty fat thread, and 14 strands in a string is overkill.  8190 and BCY-X are tiny threads, and 14 is too few for most draw weights IMO, and certainly not enough in the loops.

Even with the most expensive materials, you don't have a ton invested per string.  When you buy a finished string, you are paying for someone's time and experience.

The best all-around high performance material on the market right now is BCY-X.  If you want to stick with Dacron, then go with B-55.  Halo, #62XS, or the new Power Grip are all great serving materials.

Again, instruction is the key.  You can make a good string from the worst material, or a lousy string from the best material--the difference is how it's made.

Chad

[Pat B]

Check out Chad's(LBR) string making DVDs. Best instruction out there!

[Caughtandhobble]

Here's a video from Ryan at S2 Bow Strings, I found this very helpful. Good luck, and have fun!!!

 

[Sockrsblur]

X2 would recommend Chads video! I am new to making strings this year and will admit that I thought I was getting all the advice I needed off youtube but the way Ched explained it was more complete and easier for me to duplicate. Having a notebook and taking notes helped my progress greatly and I have a written recipe for different bow strings.
Two years ago I'm embarrassed to admit Bill adjusted my brace height at Denton Hill because it was off 2" on my zipper and it was not something I checked. Now I'm twisting, serving,stretching, and quieting strings for multiple bows. I'm not a pro but I've learned a lot and that feels good... Thank You Chad!

[LBR]

Thanks men--glad to help!

[monterey]

There is also a good tutorial here on TG by Rob Distefano.  Not sure of the URL cause it was so goo I converted it to PDF and saved it.

[monterey]

Correction, Rob's is a video.  The PDF was 4esttrekkers board bow.  Sorry!