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Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: nhbuck1 on December 02, 2016, 06:50:00 PM

Title: bow string length
Post by: nhbuck1 on December 02, 2016, 06:50:00 PM
i have a bob lee sig exotic with a 60 inch AMO will i need a 56 inch or 57 inch string isnt rule of thumb for recurves 4 inches? any idea who makes some good strings on here? looking for d97 flemish twist 16 stand
Title: Re: bow string length
Post by: nhbuck1 on December 02, 2016, 06:54:00 PM
i have been using a 56 inch string on it now and the loops are too small to sit in the groves around the tip but lines up in the limb groove, i have been told to ignore this as long as it sits in limb groove?
Title: Re: bow string length
Post by: Orion on December 02, 2016, 07:18:00 PM
That rule of thumb has a lot of exceptions.  If the bow truly follows AMO standards, you would need a 57-inch string.  Does it have a string on it now?  Is it braced where you want it to be?  If so, measure it?
Title: Re: bow string length
Post by: nhbuck1 on December 02, 2016, 07:30:00 PM
3 rivers says rule of thumb is 4 inches for recurves what i read
Title: Re: bow string length
Post by: nhbuck1 on December 02, 2016, 07:36:00 PM
i just measured the string that came with it that ive had for a few months its 56.5 inches, only options is 56 or 57 i can get, lancaster sells them by AMO, will a 56 inch string hurt it?
Title: Re: bow string length
Post by: nhbuck1 on December 02, 2016, 07:44:00 PM
so would a 60 inch amo bear bow shoot a 56.5 inch string as well idk why they put 4 inches if its really 3.5
Title: Re: bow string length
Post by: myshootinstinks on December 02, 2016, 07:54:00 PM
-4" the length of the bow usually works for me on a recurve.
Title: Re: bow string length
Post by: bogeyrider63 on December 02, 2016, 07:58:00 PM
I would ask bob lee archery. String length on some of my recurves were 4" less while one recurve I had once took a string that was 2" less. Vary from one manufacturer to another.
Title: Re: bow string length
Post by: McDave on December 02, 2016, 08:05:00 PM
I have a lot of recurves, and I don't think any two of them take exactly the same string length.  That's just the way custom bows are built.  Probably a new 56" string will stretch out to 56.5" after you shoot it for a while.  Or, if you order a 57" string and specify minimal twists, you can twist it up to 56.5". The problem would be if you get a 57" string that is already twisted up almost to the limit, you will have to overtwist it to get it down to 56.5", and that will be detrimental to your bow performance.
Title: Re: bow string length
Post by: nhbuck1 on December 02, 2016, 08:09:00 PM
so run the 56 inch dave? or get one custom made to 56.5? anyone know anyone that custom makes them here? bear bows state 4 inches less also correct?
Title: Re: bow string length
Post by: McDave on December 02, 2016, 09:14:00 PM
The most important thing is to get to the correct brace height.  My Bob Lee chart says your bow should be braced at 7 5/8 - 7 3/4".  Whatever string length it takes to get to that brace height is what you should use.  You can, of course, fine tune it from there.

If that turns out to be a 56.5" string, and you can get someone to build it for you, then that's what you should do.  If not, then I would order a 56" string and let it stretch in use.

There are many fine stringmakers on this forum.  I almost hate to mention any, because they are all so good.  But Chad Weaver, Ten Ring Strings, and SBD Bow Strings come to mind.  I'm sure there are others that are just as good that I'm not familiar with.
Title: Re: bow string length
Post by: stagetek on December 02, 2016, 09:47:00 PM
If you brace height is correct with the older string, measure it, and order one the same length. D-97 doesn't stretch all that much, you'll be fine.
Title: Re: bow string length
Post by: nhbuck1 on December 02, 2016, 10:00:00 PM
i have a 56 inch string and it does not fit in string grooves near the tip but does on the limb groove, i can get to my brace height with the 56 inch string but hardly any twists left
Title: Re: bow string length
Post by: nhbuck1 on December 02, 2016, 10:01:00 PM
i have 8 twists left with the 56 inch can anyone recommend a string maker on here?
Title: Re: bow string length
Post by: Orion on December 02, 2016, 10:26:00 PM
Go back and read McDave's post.  He recommended three.
Title: Re: bow string length
Post by: LBR on December 02, 2016, 11:05:00 PM
AMO is 3" shorter, regardless of the bow design.

https://texasarchery.org/Documents/AMO/AMOStandards.pdf

That being said, it can vary a lot.  I've seen bows get strings from 1" to 6" shorter than the marked length.

I've gone round and round with a few bowyers, trying to convince them to label the actual string length on their bows, especially if they don't follow AMO.  No luck...some really entertaining excuses though.
Title: Re: bow string length
Post by: M60gunner on December 02, 2016, 11:10:00 PM
After reading a thread on another site about this subject I really would suggest you call Bob Lee.
Title: Re: bow string length
Post by: nhbuck1 on December 02, 2016, 11:16:00 PM
his grandson jj said the actual string length is 56.5 but i didnt know if it was 56 stretched to that or not
Title: Re: bow string length
Post by: nhbuck1 on December 02, 2016, 11:19:00 PM
i will call them monday, now bear suggests there string is 4 inches shorter then AMO? so each bow is diferent based of manufacturer? so lbr we should actually be going with a 3 inch less string then the AMO, what are the difference in brace height 3 vs 4 inches?
Title: Re: bow string length
Post by: nhbuck1 on December 03, 2016, 12:03:00 PM
now on the 56 inch string it does not sit in the string grooves near tip, is this telling me the string is too short? it sits in the limb groove fine
Title: Re: bow string length
Post by: nhbuck1 on December 03, 2016, 12:09:00 PM
now bear says minus 4 inches on there bows, so your telling me it depends on the bowyer and company of the bow to determin what string length? this is confusing
Title: Re: bow string length
Post by: nhbuck1 on December 03, 2016, 12:58:00 PM
the string the bob lee came with is 56 and 7/8 so this is teling me i need a 56.5 inch string right? it will stretch some
Title: Re: bow string length
Post by: LBR on December 03, 2016, 02:25:00 PM
Saying their AMO is 4" shorter is like saying their yardstick is 4 feet long.  It it's 4 feet long, it isn't a yardstick, and if the string that fits is 4" shorter, then the bow isn't marked according to AMO.  The string that fits the bow determines the AMO bow length, which is 3" longer than the correct length string.

AMO doesn't change from one manufacturer to the next, but it appears a lot of them don't know what AMO really is, which just adds to the confusion.  It's really not that difficult.  I have no idea why they won't label bows correctly if they are going to mark the bow "AMO".  At least put "ASL" for actual string length on it somewhere.  It's not like that would add more than a few seconds and a couple of cents worth of ink to the process.

How much difference in brace an inch of string length will make depends on the bow length and design.

I've gone round and round with a few bowyers trying to get a clue as to why something so simple, that would benefit all involved, is rejected.  Got a few entertaining excuses, nothing that made any real sense though.  Drives me nuts.  It's not for my benefit, but theirs, but they act like I'm trying to take money out of their pockets.  Go figure.
Title: Re: bow string length
Post by: Car54 on December 03, 2016, 04:32:00 PM
Ten Ring strings..he's good to go!!!
Title: Re: bow string length
Post by: nhbuck1 on December 03, 2016, 06:19:00 PM
so if i get the 57 inch will i be good to go and just twist it to the correct brace?
Title: Re: bow string length
Post by: LBR on December 03, 2016, 07:57:00 PM
Depends on how it was made and measured.  I pre-stretch my strings, then measure them under a 100# load.  That way it won't settle in much.  If a string isn't pre-stretched, it can settle a lot.  Depending on the material, if it's not measured under a load it can stretch a good bit.
Title: Re: bow string length
Post by: nhbuck1 on December 03, 2016, 11:40:00 PM
so if its not pre stretched go with a 56 inch string? im so confused, the string it came with measures almost 3/4 inch more after i  have been shooting it for a few months, i have a 56 i bought shot it for 3 months it measures 56 1/4
Title: Re: bow string length
Post by: LBR on December 04, 2016, 12:04:00 AM
If it's not pre-stretched, it's a crap shoot.  Could stretch more, could stretch less.
Title: Re: bow string length
Post by: tradarcher4fun on December 04, 2016, 08:43:00 AM
McDaves's post x 2.  Allen at Ten Ring strings will take care of you.  I use his strings on my BL's.  other option is to have JJ at BL send you a string.
Title: Re: bow string length
Post by: highlow on December 04, 2016, 10:07:00 AM
Hopefully this will answer your question Kyle. I too have a BL Exotic Sig, 60"AMO and 45# @28". I had a string made by Allen at Ten Ring. I have shot it extensively for the last six months so it definitely has stretched to its max. Took it off the bow, laid it out on the floor and measured. It is 55.5" and was not overly twisted to get the proper brace height. If I were you, I'd contact either BL as already suggested, or email or call Allen at Ten Ring. I'm sure you'll receive an answer to your question.
Title: Re: bow string length
Post by: nhbuck1 on December 04, 2016, 12:05:00 PM
i just emailed alan thanks for the help
Title: Re: bow string length
Post by: katman on December 04, 2016, 06:01:00 PM
http://bobleebows.net/videos_bowcare.html

It is on Bob Lee's website if you would have looked.
Title: Re: bow string length
Post by: nhbuck1 on December 04, 2016, 07:05:00 PM
now what if my loops dont fit in the nok grooves near the tip? string fits in limb groove will this hurt it?
Title: Re: bow string length
Post by: katman on December 04, 2016, 07:26:00 PM
If you have been shooting it for a while and the string has not come off while shooting I would say use it. Or better get chad at champion custom bowstrings to make you a couple and keep yours as a backup.

http://www.recurves.com/
Title: Re: bow string length
Post by: SteveB on December 04, 2016, 08:15:00 PM
QuoteOriginally posted by katman:
 http://bobleebows.net/videos_bowcare.html  

It is on Bob Lee's website if you would have looked.
I am really surprised Bob Lee would say a 62" AMO bow would take a string 4 to 5 inches shorter. If that is the case, the bow was not listed using the AMO standard.
Title: Re: bow string length
Post by: nhbuck1 on December 04, 2016, 10:11:00 PM
who knows this is a joke
Title: Re: bow string length
Post by: LBR on December 04, 2016, 10:37:00 PM
No disrespect to Bob Lee Bows, but that is simply wrong.  It hasn't changed since 1968.

http://www.outlab.it/doc/amostd.pdf
Title: Re: bow string length
Post by: McDave on December 04, 2016, 11:49:00 PM
The strings you get from Bob Lee are not prestretched. It is likely that the actual string length of a new string from Bob Lee will be 4-5" less than AMO length in order to be the AMO string length of 3" less than AMO bow length once it has stretched.