FLEMISH STRING HELP PLEASE

[Sologuy]

Guys....

I need help... BAD.... I cannot get a flemish string that looks right ....its the backtwist....

Can someone PLEASE explain IN DETAIL a way to insure the string doesnt look like rope ??I keep trying ...and failing....

[Mad Max]

It's hard to tell someone, and easy to show

Is your problem when you twist the second  end?

[Sologuy]

It's hard to tell someone, and easy to show

Is your problem when you twist the second  end?

Yes, My loops are great, both ends..... its the twist....backtwist......I cant seem to get it right at all....I threw away enough strings now...im 

[Mad Max]

The back twist before you stat twisting the 2nd loop?

[Sologuy]

The back twist before you stat twisting the 2nd loop?

Yes.....   

[Mad Max]

After I twist my first loop and wax it real good I hang that end on a nail.
I untwist 1 end  and when all the twist is out I continue untwisting (back twist) 30 revolutions and hold the end in my mouth. now do the other one the same way.
then start your second loop, when your second loop is finished, both of your strands should not have any twist in them.
if 30 back twist did not work do 40

Is this what you are talking about?

[Appalachian Hillbilly]

Another tip, after you do your first loop and get it braided/twisted down until none of the ends are left, use a bread tie around the string. It will hold your work while you get all the twists out of the 2 bundles.

One thing that confused me when I started was the term backtwist. What direction is that?

If you are right handed and did your first loop in the normal direction, put it on a peg and lay your bundles out after getting them untwisted.

Looking from the loose bundle end towards the loop you just did that is on the peg, twist each bundle 25 to 30 twists clockwise.

Another thing to look at is when you are doing your second end and you have braided down  past your loose ends, check your bundles and see if their are any twists left. You may have to keep  braiding until all twists are removed from the bundles and they are running parallel.

Then you can start adding your turns to the whole string.


Also, don't get your twists backwards.  If the twists are in your left hand, individual bundles in the right, give the top bundle a clockwise turn, then bring it forward towards you to the bottom and the bottom away from you to the top.

Individual bundles get a clockwise twist and then bundles are rotated together counter clockwise when viewed from the right.

[Mad Max]

You just made it more confusing than I did Ken

[Appalachian Hillbilly]

Hey, I tried

I made 2 last night getting ready for the classic.  Ask me again in a week and I will have to think about it all over again... I normally just order a set from Hunters Choice as he makes the best looking flemish I have seen. But he is 3 weeks out.

[Mad Max]

It takes time to figure out how each person needs to do it.

[Roy from Pa]

After my first loop is done, I hook it on a nail and pull both ends snug from the other end. Then I start untwisting one bundle at a time till it is straight and I count how many twists it took to get it straight, then I continue twisting the same direction the same number more twists as it took to get it straight. When I say twist, I actually roll the string between my thumb and pointer finger. So it probably twists the bundle 3 times for every roll of my thumb and pointer finger. So normally it takes 12 rolls with the thumb and pointer finger to get the bundle straight and then I do another 12 rolls.
Search the internet, especially you tube, there should be many  videos of it.

[Mad Max]

Yes what Roy said

At 11:30 he talks about back twisting after the 1st loop, but he did not count the revolution, he just counted twist.

[mmattockx]

Another video to add to the confusion...



Weylin does a good job of explaining how he goes about it.


Mark

[Sologuy]

If you are right handed and did your first loop in the normal direction, put it on a peg and lay your bundles out after getting them untwisted.

Looking from the loose bundle end towards the loop you just did that is on the peg, twist each bundle 25 to 30 twists clockwise.

Im right handed....
When I twist up a string I twist the individual bundle of strands 'away' from me or clockwise... then, twist the two strand bundles together counter clockwise or towards me to form the 'flem twist'.... This is how its been described to me as I understood... your saying backtwist each bundle clockwise right ?

[Appalachian Hillbilly]

You are twisting correctly.  Yes,  the individual bundles get twisted clockwise  for the back twist after your first  loop is done.

The back twist is what you do to the long individual bundles after the first loop and tag ends are done. This is setting you up for the other loop.

Watch the video posted. It is a very good video. You will see him untwist the individual bundles after making the first loop, then he will add some "back twists to get ready for his next loop. Each time he performs a flemish twist on the second loop, it will remove a backtwist.
The goal on the second loop is to use the same number of flemish twists as there are back twists so the string bundles are now straight and will marry together.

Clear as mud eh?

Watch the video a few times. Good video

[Sologuy]

You are twisting correctly.


The goal on the second loop is to use the same number of flemish twists as there are back twists so the string bundles are now straight and will marry together.

To be clear- I should put in backtwist CLOCKWISE ?

[Appalachian Hillbilly]

Yes, because when you turn it around to work on the second loop, it will take it out.

[Roy from Pa]

After the first loop is done and you hook it over a post, pull the string tight from the other end. Then while holding both bundles in your hand, take one bundle and and start twisting it whichever way you want "ONLY"  to see if the bundle is unwinding or winding tighter. "THEN" you will know which way you need to twist to get the string straight and then you keep twisting in the same direction the same number of twists it took to get it straight.

[Buemaker]

Let’s twist again. Was it Chubby Checker?

[Kirkll]

I’m sorry guys, but I’m not feeling the love on this Flemish string building myself.
Oh I did a bunch of em years ago, and they all looked like mooring cables more than decent bow strings, and I never could get the length right. So I threw in the towel.

What I did was built a decent endless loop jig for when I absolutely needed to build a string. I used to build those at 3D shoots for guys now and then when I had a display peddling my bows just for something to do. But…. I find no joy in string building myself.   I use Ricks Custom Bow Strings for all the bows I build. He does an excellent job and it’s a quick turn around too.

https://rickstraditionalbowstrings.com/

Have fun with that stuff guys.  Here are some loops for you.