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Main Boards => The Bowyer's Bench => Topic started by: Wolftrail on January 01, 2016, 07:58:00 PM

Title: Flemish Frustration
Post by: Wolftrail on January 01, 2016, 07:58:00 PM
I got the twisting part down its making the final loop that I'm having problems with, when I do make the loop its seems to unravel cannot seem to lock it in so the loop size stays.
I have watched various YouTube Videos but I can't see it properly.. Any suggestions.    :rolleyes:
Title: Re: Flemish Frustration
Post by: Roy from Pa on January 01, 2016, 08:28:00 PM
Then you are twisting the final loop backwards. Just twist the same way you do on the first loop, nothing changes between loops. I twist away from me, then pull the tag end back towards me. But for left handers, reverse that..    :)  

OR.. After you have the second loop done, and are trying to twist up the string, you are twisting it backwards. When I place a string on the bow, and it needs to be longer or shorter. I unstring the bow and let the string slide down the limb on the top limb. I pull the string off the bottom limb while the string is still a few inches down on the top limb. To make the string shorter, I twist away from me. To make it longer, I twist towards me.
Title: Re: Flemish Frustration
Post by: frank bullitt on January 01, 2016, 08:38:00 PM
Yes, if your twisting both loops the same, you are probably twisting the whole string the opposite direction!

Just try the other way.
Title: Re: Flemish Frustration
Post by: Wolftrail on January 01, 2016, 09:28:00 PM
Ooooops sorry 'bout that guys; what I meant to say was making the loop after twisting the strands together.  Making a loop so it stays the intended size.

"I twist away from me, then pull the tag end back towards me."   maybe thats it.    :rolleyes:
Title: Re: Flemish Frustration
Post by: mikkekeswick on January 02, 2016, 02:56:00 AM
Do tighter twists more 'butted up'. No 'open' twists.
Title: Re: Flemish Frustration
Post by: Bowjunkie on January 02, 2016, 07:34:00 AM
If you are doing the basics properly, and your loops are simply not maintaining their size, or are coming apart in the V where the bundles are laid back onto themselves as the loop is formed, try this...

Just before you lay a bundle back onto itself(same color) to begin forming the loop, untwist both parts, apply a little wax to each, lay them together butted tightly where you'd like the loop to come together, pinch it there hard, and smash/rub the two bundles together hard and fast to melt the wax and bring them together 'making them one', THEN twist them tightly for a few inches, but especially where they came together, before moving on to do the same thing to the others.

If you do this the same for each color, then twist and lay over tightly as you work away from the loop, it will be built sturdy and not open up. If your issue was something else, well nevermind then  :)
Title: Re: Flemish Frustration
Post by: Pat B on January 02, 2016, 09:43:00 AM
Use a bowyers knot on the bottom end. They are always the right size and always the right length.
Title: Re: Flemish Frustration
Post by: frank bullitt on January 02, 2016, 09:43:00 AM
Dean, what I do after getting the length I want, say 20 twists for the top loop of a recurve.

Before I fold the loop together, and start the neck of the string, I will twist the loop a few times, tight, then fold the loop together!

And yes, using plenty of wax helps, too!
Title: Re: Flemish Frustration
Post by: George Tsoukalas on January 02, 2016, 10:14:00 AM
I twist the first loop up (away from me and back over) and then wrap a twist tie around it. Match up the colors on the loops.

Twist the second up. Undo the tie.

Twist up the string by rotating counter clockwise.

It should all stay together then.

Jawge
Title: Re: Flemish Frustration
Post by: Wolftrail on January 02, 2016, 05:04:00 PM
Quote
Originally posted by George Tsoukalas:
I twist the first loop up (away from me and back over) and then wrap a twist tie around it. Match up the colors on the loops.
 
So basically always do the twisting the same way all the time, "(away from me and back over)"
Title: Re: Flemish Frustration
Post by: frank bullitt on January 02, 2016, 06:00:00 PM
Wait, I thought you said you had that part down?

Now I'm starting to unravel! Lol

   :biglaugh:
Title: Re: Flemish Frustration
Post by: Mad Max on January 02, 2016, 06:58:00 PM
What kind of string?
B 50 stretch's about 1-1/2"
Title: Re: Flemish Frustration
Post by: Wolftrail on January 03, 2016, 12:02:00 AM
Quote
Originally posted by frank bullitt:
Wait, I thought you said you had that part down?

Now I'm starting to unravel! Lol

    :biglaugh:  
Give me a break its the simple things I can't figure out, thats why I write with my left and I'm right handed.  
=========================================  

B-50 Mark.   1 1/2" stretch thats ludicrous.
Title: Re: Flemish Frustration
Post by: mikkekeswick on January 03, 2016, 03:21:00 AM
I've never needed wax on modern string material. If you think about it the wax would actually make the string a bit looser once it's broken in because the wax won't stay there forever and it makes the strands slightly bigger.
Honestly just twist tighter  ;)
Title: Re: Flemish Frustration
Post by: frank bullitt on January 03, 2016, 09:53:00 AM
I agree Mike with h.p. matetials, but for beginners and dacron, use wax!

Dean wasn't making fun, it does take practice!
Don't be afraid to undue the loops, and start over.

Also 3 or 2 ply-bundle? 2 is easier and just and just as durable.
Title: Re: Flemish Frustration
Post by: Wolftrail on January 03, 2016, 02:31:00 PM
"Don't be afraid to undue the loops, and start over."
Been there done that................   :laughing:
Title: Re: Flemish Frustration
Post by: Papagus on January 11, 2016, 12:46:00 PM
Check out this youtube video from Sam Harper. It explains everything you need to know. You need to put a counter-twist in each strand of the string before you make the second loop. It's at 17.25 in the video.

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YUOWLJqzorQ
Title: Re: Flemish Frustration
Post by: Wolftrail on January 11, 2016, 04:07:00 PM
Thanks Pag its a good video.  I like the tip about using twist ties a few guys mentioned that.  Works great.  I twisted one a couple days ago I got 'er now after a half dozen failures.
Title: Re: Flemish Frustration
Post by: cynical_ant on January 17, 2016, 10:57:00 AM
Check out Ryan Sanpei's new videos on the subject. It helped me come up with a consistent system for getting the loop the same all the time.