Questions on *building* strings.

[Soilarch]

I've used the search and learned a lot. Still have some questions though.

1. Do even the "best" flemish twists still have the loose strands that stick out?  Or is this just a possible byproduct?  Is there a way to keep the loose ends "inside"?

2. Serving.  On my compound I only centerserve about 3".  Any real reason to go longer than your 3fingers+nock width? (Granted, we're not chasing every possible FPS and we all need a built in margin or error...but is 7-8" really needed?)

3. Endless loops.  How long do servings need to be on the loops?  Can't find a rule of thumb on this.  People complain that they're louder...has anyone tried or played with padding the served area?

4. Halo for end serving?.....AND does that stuff come in any colors besides black and white?

[gatorgar]

I usually use a heavy coat of wax to tame the loose strands on a flemish string.  Almost looks like they were built by someone who knew what they were doing.
I have heard that more area is served on a trad bow to help with string wear.  The person that told me this said that as the string brushes against your sleeve, arm, it wears down quite a bit and the extra serving helps with that.
Keep in mind, I have only built about ten strings so I may be wrong, it's been known to happen

[Old York]

for #2 -

I make it just long enough so the clips on my bow square engage the centre serving.

[Elkhntr]

#1 - yes, there will always be some that stick out. I cut all the loose ones off. But some are tucked under - just enough to hold and after some shooting they may come out. It's hard to get them all to stay in as you don't know where they all end . . .

#2 - You can serve to any amount that you want. I serve the normal length on all my strings. I think it helps with wear if making contact with the arm guard/arm area. I have some that I personnaly use that only has about 3.5" on them just as you suggest.

I have switched to Brownell products and haven't used BCY products for a while, so not sure what colors Halo comes in at this time, check their website.

Since all I make are flemish strings I can't answer the other questions.

Michael

[p1choco]

#1 - It's inevitable.  Cut, melt, wax down, or wrap with yarn.  

Like Elkhntr said with #2.  It helps with wear if making contact with you arm.  

#3 - I wrapped yarn (bow hush) around the end serving or put felt along the string groove.  Was only an issue with my recurves.

#4 - I think Halo comes in Red too.  

Only make flemish so can't help out too much with the last two questions.

[Charlie Lamb]

#3... depends on the width of the bow limb of the bow your are making it for.

For a fairly narrow limb a 3 1/4" served area will give you a nice size loop. On a wider limb 3 1/2" might be better.

Measure the loop of an old string and "guesstimate".

[LBR]

1. Do even the "best" flemish twists still have the loose strands that stick out? Or is this just a possible byproduct? Is there a way to keep the loose ends "inside"?

Yes.  You can trim them off if you want, but sooner or later some will work loose.  Just snip them off.  Nail clippers work fine on dacron, end cut pliers work on FF materials.

2. Serving. On my compound I only centerserve about 3". Any real reason to go longer than your 3fingers+nock width? (Granted, we're not chasing every possible FPS and we all need a built in margin or error...but is 7-8" really needed?)

The serving isn't just for your fingers.  It also protects your string if you slap your arm guard.

3. Endless loops. How long do servings need to be on the loops? Can't find a rule of thumb on this. People complain that they're louder...has anyone tried or played with padding the served area?

Like Charlie said, depends on the loop size needed.  Or, if you mean below the loop, around 5" seems to be the rule of thumb.  They are louder, especially on recurves where you get limb slap--most servings are harder than most string materials, so it will make more noise when slapping the limb.  I shoot mainly longbows/selfbows with flemish strings, so I haven't tinkered with trying to quieten an endless.

4. Halo for end serving?.....AND does that stuff come in any colors besides black and white?

Halo will work for end servings (I prefer 62XS).  It does come in several colors.  The list I have on hand says:  black, white, red, blue, green, OD green, brown, purple, yellow, pink, flourescent green, orange, teal, and tan.  E-mail [email protected] for a current list.

Chad

[Soilarch]

Appreciate it guys.

Think I may try endless first.  As I'm strange sort of perfectionist.  If a bow comes with a flemish string or if I bought a flemish string that had the fuzzies coming out of it I wouldn't care too much.  Trim 'em and go on about my way...but if I made a string that had fuzzies it'd drive me crazy.