String Building

[NDTerminator]

Kinda figured to buy a how-to video and I've heard good things about LBRs for awhile.

Was watching the 3R how to on youtube yesterday and another question comes to mind, although I  belive I'm looking for confirmation to what I think rather than a hard answer...

Looks to me like that with a jig, the demonstrator is building two bundles of one color per sitting.  Then it follows to build the two color two bundle I normally buy, a guy has to do this process twice with a single color each time, and ends up building two strings rather than one?  Or is each setup on the jig a single bundle so it's necessarry to make two for a two bundle string?

While I'm at it, would someone care to explain padding the string and how it's done?

[Rob DiStefano]

ndt - just get the dtt video.  nothing on youtube can compare, and i've checked them all out.

padding is for string loops on marginal or skinny strings, where the strand count is low.  for flemish, you just add in staggered lengths of separate, short strands to each loop bundle.  with endless, it's adding strands around the loop end jig arms.

with a 6 strand skinny endless string i'll add 6 strands of the string fiber to each loop.

[DCM]

I've never used a jig for the perhaps hundert strings I've made.  I just pull off strand and hold it up against the braced bow, overlap what looks like enough on each end.  Longer is better than shorter, then you can trim once the string is done if necessary.  Made dozens before I ever bought a serving jig.  40# or 50# "Spiderwire" or other braided fishing line (Dyneema) works perty good for serving material if you can find it cheap (Walmart closeouts at the end of fishing season).  Just volunteering.

On a two color, two ply you first measure and cut one color, staggering the ends if you don't use a jig.  Then just build another ply (same number of strands 1/2 the total count obviously) the same way.  Then you twist these two different colored plys together.  Same with a 3 ply for that matter, just 1/3 total strand count for each ply.

Padding loops is when you cut some strands perhaps 8" to 10" long, again staggering the ends.  I do this by starting with equal lenght strands, then just offset some of them.  Then you wax these into your primary bundles, where the loops will be, before you start twisting each loop.

For "skinny" strings I find padding the center to be a pain, so I just either double wrap serving, use enough primary strands in the main string, or a fat enough serving material to fit my nocks.  There's a recipe for each string material, serving material and nock size.  I find 15 strand FF, single wrap Nylon fits the Bohning 5/16" index nocks I prefer.

[artifaker1]

I have Chad's video and it really helps a lot. It confirmed some things for me. I watched it in the beginning (nov 09) and I just watched again and it is kind of funny how you develop your own style. My method is very different from what I saw a couple of months ago.

[kat]

A string jig will definately make it easier.
My jig is made from a 2 x 4 and finishing nails with a dowel for different lengths. There is nothing that is going to beat experience.  The more you make, the better they will be.
And by the way.  You don't have to twist away from you.  I do it by twisting toward me, and it works just fine.

[rickshot]

Personally, I enjoy many if not all aspects of working on my gear, if for no other reason than to have a better understanding and appreciation of what it takes to get things right.

My first Flemish string, or two, took in the vicinity of an hour and a half and it wasn’t long ‘til I was down to about 25 minutes. For a jig I just banged a few nails in a board which has definitely proven worthwhile with having my strings come out to a predictable length (after making adjustments to my original markings).

Where this doesn’t end is not just having backup strings for my bows, or providing strings for friends, but all the bows out there that are dust collectors without them. It really makes my day to pick up an old bow, clean ‘er up and outfit it with a new string from my own hands…it truly becomes a bow again.  Rick.