Twisting my first bow string-ER

[Greg Owen]

So I have been sitting in a meeting for about 4 hours thinking about the string making materials I have at home. I realize I hate failure and to waste materials. Then I get an idea!
I will be attempting my first string this weekend.  I plan to make it 12 inches or so longer than my longest bow. So when I get done and find out how badly I missed my length, I can attach leather cups to the ends and use it as a stringer. I will have learned, and not failed because I have a useful bow stringer. What do you think?  Also, I will probably post in a week or 2 about having 50 bowstringers for free, just pay postage. LOL.

[A.S.]

[LBR]

If you need help with string material, serving material, or instructions give me a holler.  It's a lot of fun...and addicting!

Chad

When i make strings, I think I must twist a lot tighter than the original destructions in my book call for, so I make them longer and still end up with a string way short.   Sometimes the string is half wore out before I get it right.  I have decided that the Chad strings are a lot easier on my hands,  and it also eliminates a lot of potty mouth coming from my work room.

[Walt Francis]

When doing a Flemish twist I was taught to add 18" and then trim off the excess...I probably wasted a lot of material over the years, but have never had a short one.

[Doug_K]

Originally posted by Walt Francis:
When doing a Flemish twist I was taught to add 18" and then trim off the excess...I probably wasted a lot of material over the years, but have never had a short one.

I had alot of strings when I first started turn out too short, luckily I was usually twisting them for a 70" longbow, and have a variety of shorter recurves, so I scrapped few of them. Eventually I started making them long and trimming off the excess as Walt said.. Much less time consuming than making 3 strings (or unwinding and retwisting) to finally get the one you're aiming for. Personally i'd rather waste a little material than an extra 30-60 minutes.

As a side note, I made my own jig based off internet instructions, so maybe commercial jigs are a little more accurate the first time around!

[monterey]

I've started twisting one loop and keeping the other end straight with about ten inches twisted into a rope so to speak.  Then use a timber hitch to fasten the other end.  You will never be too long or short if you give yourself enough to work with.

I put the hitch on the top nock to keep the loose end clean.

Especially useful for guys like me who use B50. It gives you an adjustment in addition to twisting your string so you won't ever again have a string that you feel is over twisted.

Another plus is it makes a good tillering string.

[forestdweller]

My advice, get a hold of someone on here that makes Flemish strings to help you out.

A lot of the instructions online that are in video and text format over complicate the process and give contradictory information that will end up with you just being confused.

[Greg Owen]

The process is pretty simple. My only concern is how much string needs to be on each end. That is an experience thing.  Chad from Champion Custom Bowstrings has been very helpful.

[monterey]

I have used anywhere from 7 inches to 12 inches.  Seven is barely enough for a straight bow with tiny nocks.  Ten inches is good.

[PICKNGRIN]

Don't forget to put some counter twist in after making the first loop.