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Main Boards => The Bowyer's Bench => Topic started by: fujimo on November 20, 2015, 10:02:00 PM

Title: building flemish twist strings
Post by: fujimo on November 20, 2015, 10:02:00 PM
okay- so i relented and built a few Ft strings using fast flite- been using endless loop until now-
made the jig and building the strings was no problem- they came out ok- just having real problems to get the right length first time-
first one too long- then too short - then a 1/2" out and so on and so on- what are the tricks to getting it right- how do the pro string builders do it- you order a 62" string- and thats what they make.
 all help appreciated
 cheers
wayne
Title: Re: building flemish twist strings
Post by: Wolftrail on November 20, 2015, 11:13:00 PM
You may want to look at this. I hope it helps.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vjU-0lfDUzI
Title: Re: building flemish twist strings
Post by: Mad Max on November 21, 2015, 04:55:00 AM
If it's to long ,unwrap one end and shorten that end some

Same problem with jig from B50 to FF

   :banghead:
Title: Re: building flemish twist strings
Post by: Roy from Pa on November 21, 2015, 05:32:00 AM
Practice practice practice...
Title: Re: building flemish twist strings
Post by: wcdurand on November 21, 2015, 06:18:00 AM
Wayne I thought I can teach you nothing!!!! I do know how to build a flemish string!!! Lessons free!!
Regards Willem
Title: Re: building flemish twist strings
Post by: jsweka on November 21, 2015, 08:51:00 AM
Yeah each bow will require a bit different string, especially if you set up your jig as AMO length.  That's what I did and when I put the peg in for a 68" bow, a string will come out perfect for my 68" hill style bows.  However, when I make a string for my mild r/d bows which are 62", I have to use the 64" peg slot otherwise the string is too short.  I recently built a sting for a friend's recurve.  Boy that was a complete guess, but I got lucky on the first attempt and with a little stretching, it worked out perfect.
Title: Re: building flemish twist strings
Post by: fujimo on November 21, 2015, 09:36:00 AM
building the string itself was easy, and really kinda fun- just the variation got frustrating!

1. do you guys count the exact no. of twists in the nock loops-0 so there is consistancy- or do you simply measure the length, then double back and twist into the main body of the string.
2.what length do you twist back into the main body of the string- to ensure that it will hold.
i had the one i got right- pull out on the ends, as soon as i strung it. it didnt come undone- just pulled out- not completely just slipped some so that i still could see that the twist was intact.
so i imagine that was not enough length twisted back in, and a combination of possibly not tight enough twists.

thanks fellas
Title: Re: building flemish twist strings
Post by: fujimo on November 21, 2015, 09:40:00 AM
Willem, I KNOW that there is a lot more you are gonna teach me- in fact can i book some string making lessons from ya- say maybe august or september next year?- does that work for you?   :D  
you could fly out here  show me how- maybe i can trade you a fish or something!!   :laughing:    :laughing:    

Jeff, do you have a link to your jig, i used sam harpers on "poor folks"! there seem to be so many on the net!
Title: Re: building flemish twist strings
Post by: macbow on November 21, 2015, 09:46:00 AM
Being consistant with your twists has a big effect on length.
Even with notes and my own formula, when my Ostioarthritus was flared up my string lengths started slipping.
Title: Re: building flemish twist strings
Post by: frank bullitt on November 21, 2015, 10:15:00 AM
Yep, being consistent, keep records, yes you can count the twists in loops or measure length.  And yes as Roy says Practice!

Different materials, strand count, etc, will change things, too!

With all the new materials and serving sizes, offered today, I probably would have not built them proffesionally for 23 years!   :knothead:  

Continuous looped strings are easier on your hands, too!   :bigsmyl:
Title: Re: building flemish twist strings
Post by: frank bullitt on November 21, 2015, 11:56:00 AM
Yep, being consistent, keep records, yes you can count the twists in loops or measure length.  And yes as Roy says Practice!

Different materials, strand count, etc, will change things, too!

With all the new materials and serving sizes, offered today, I probably would have not built them proffesionally for 23 years!   :knothead:  

Continuous looped strings are easier on your hands, too!   :bigsmyl:
Title: Re: building flemish twist strings
Post by: Roy from Pa on November 21, 2015, 12:28:00 PM
I measure in 8 inches from the end and start the loop there.
Title: Re: building flemish twist strings
Post by: fujimo on November 21, 2015, 12:47:00 PM
thanks guys!
all the jigs do is create a tapered bundle of a specific length- does it really matter what jig one uses? or am i missing something?
Title: Re: building flemish twist strings
Post by: macbow on November 21, 2015, 01:14:00 PM
Don't think it matters as long as you get used to your jig.
Keep notes.
Mark on the jig what works.
Title: Re: building flemish twist strings
Post by: fujimo on November 21, 2015, 01:36:00 PM
:thumbsup:
Title: Re: building flemish twist strings
Post by: Mad Max on November 21, 2015, 02:27:00 PM
After you get to the end of the loose ends I go 20 more twist, then wax it real good
Title: Re: building flemish twist strings
Post by: fujimo on November 21, 2015, 02:37:00 PM
you mean after the first loop is built?
then its the main body of the string that you are twisting up, in preparation for the bottom loop- is that correct how i understand you mate. if it is, then i did the same thing. coincidentally also giving 20 twists.
how much "tail"do you twist into the string, after making the loop
Title: Re: building flemish twist strings
Post by: Roy from Pa on November 21, 2015, 06:12:00 PM
Fujio Boy, let your daughter make them..  :)
Title: Re: building flemish twist strings
Post by: fujimo on November 21, 2015, 06:48:00 PM
too true- shes way smarter than me- has more of her mother in her- but then again her mother has incredibly good taste in men   :laughing:
Title: Re: building flemish twist strings
Post by: Krasus on November 21, 2015, 06:55:00 PM
Ah Wayne just stick with endless loop. Lol I could never get my flemish twists right either. Gave up and only do enless.


Let merewyn know I'll pick her up at the airport on Monday.  Lol seeing as we are talking about her good taste in men  ;)  ahhemmm. Lol
Title: Re: building flemish twist strings
Post by: Roy from Pa on November 21, 2015, 07:07:00 PM
I just sent her a one way plane ticket to Pittsburgh. Give her the yew boards too, Wayno... LMAO
Title: Re: building flemish twist strings
Post by: fujimo on November 21, 2015, 08:49:00 PM
i showed her yer pic- now shes in the corner in the fetal position, mumbling and a - twitchin   :laughing:    :laughing:
Title: Re: building flemish twist strings
Post by: fujimo on November 21, 2015, 08:50:00 PM
thanks Cody- ya da man!
Title: Re: building flemish twist strings
Post by: Roy from Pa on November 21, 2015, 08:57:00 PM
Haint no doubt in my mind. LOL
Title: Re: building flemish twist strings
Post by: Krasus on November 21, 2015, 09:21:00 PM
Lol anytime.
I finally finished the bow we started in Aug. I should have pics on Monday.  :)
Title: Re: building flemish twist strings
Post by: Mad Max on November 21, 2015, 09:44:00 PM
Quote
Originally posted by fujimo:
you mean after the first loop is built?
then its the main body of the string that you are twisting up, in preparation for the bottom loop- is that correct how i understand you mate. if it is, then i did the same thing. coincidentally also giving 20 twists.
how much "tail"do you twist into the string, after making the loop
I start my loop with 7-1/2", when the whole 7-1/2" is twisted in I go 20 more, then wax
When I make a FF string I have to guess and it might be 8-1/2"

When I made my jig I had to fine tune the jig
Title: Re: building flemish twist strings
Post by: Mad Max on November 21, 2015, 09:51:00 PM
Hey
Am I the only one with 20 strings hanging on the wall that fit nothing ?
Title: Re: building flemish twist strings
Post by: fujimo on November 21, 2015, 09:52:00 PM
i am getting that way fast!!   :biglaugh:
Title: Re: building flemish twist strings
Post by: takefive on November 22, 2015, 02:00:00 AM
Mark-I think I have 8 or 10 that are too long or too short, but I'll be up to 20 after a couple more bows.
I'm thinking about making the string first and adjusting the length of the bow to it next time.   :banghead:
Title: Re: building flemish twist strings
Post by: Roy from Pa on November 22, 2015, 07:21:00 AM
Only 20? Heck you're a rookie then. Got to be 30 in my shop.
Title: Re: building flemish twist strings
Post by: wood carver 2 on November 22, 2015, 09:38:00 AM
Quote
Originally posted by Mark Daniel:
Hey
Am I the only one with 20 strings hanging on the wall that fit nothing ?
I don't have that many yet, but I'm working on it!    ;)  
Dave.
Title: Re: building flemish twist strings
Post by: Buemaker on November 22, 2015, 12:34:00 PM
My string jig is one wood arrow shaft in the bench vice and one nail in the bench. After having made the first loop I put the loop over the shaft in the vice and place a small spring clamp where the twist stops to keep it from unraveling. Then a nail in the bench for the second loop to go around, but before I start the second loop I lay in counter twists in each of the the two skeins. If I don't  the whole string will be a mess of twists. This is done so when the second loop is finished there is none or very few twists in the bowstring. How many counter twists to be used depend on the way YOU do it. In my case about 30. Bue--.
Title: Re: building flemish twist strings
Post by: Mad Max on November 22, 2015, 05:22:00 PM
I counter twist too
Title: Re: building flemish twist strings
Post by: Roy from Pa on November 22, 2015, 08:26:00 PM
Me too, usually 24 counter twists.
Title: Re: building flemish twist strings
Post by: Carpdaddy on November 22, 2015, 08:40:00 PM
So who is going to setup a string swap? You may have the length somebody else needs and they may have the one you need. I just store them in bags with length marked because they may fit my next bow.