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Main Boards => The Bowyer's Bench => Topic started by: Raven22 on August 24, 2016, 01:35:00 PM

Title: String groves
Post by: Raven22 on August 24, 2016, 01:35:00 PM
Any tips for cutting in the string groves?  Mine never seem to line up just right.
Title: Re: String groves
Post by: Roy from Pa on August 24, 2016, 01:45:00 PM
Trace them out with a pencil first.
Title: Re: String groves
Post by: breazyears on August 24, 2016, 02:11:00 PM
Make up a little jig with the angle you like on it. I read a buildcalong on this site, and the fella used one. Itvwas showen in a pic. Maybe he will chime in. I cant remember who it was...
FOUND IT!
 http://piratesofarchery.net/bb/viewtopic.php?p=94996
Title: Re: String groves
Post by: monterey on August 24, 2016, 03:57:00 PM
I just use a try square.  Mine are all 45 deg   :)
Title: Re: String groves
Post by: goobersan on August 24, 2016, 05:48:00 PM
a jig or square, then use a hacksaw to get the grooves started
Title: Re: String groves
Post by: Wolftrail on August 24, 2016, 06:20:00 PM
Quote
Originally posted by goobersan:
a jig or square, then use a hacksaw to get the grooves started
+2 on that one
Title: Re: String groves
Post by: bigbob2 on August 24, 2016, 06:26:00 PM
Yup use an engineering square for each side at 45 and a  hacksaw blade to cut on each line at the sides, taking care to ensure each side squares across to the other. a chainsaw file to cut the groove, and slowly roll the groove from the side to the upper face, keeping the file working more toward the  end of tip as you progress across.
Title: Re: String groves
Post by: macbow on August 24, 2016, 08:31:00 PM
A tile cutting blade in the hacksaw is even easier to start and control.
Title: Re: String groves
Post by: Roy from Pa on August 24, 2016, 09:02:00 PM
Yupper Mac. That's what I use.
Title: Re: String groves
Post by: LittleBen on August 25, 2016, 09:20:00 AM
I typically start them with the edge of my half round file and then finish with a chainsaw file.
Title: Re: String groves
Post by: Eric Krewson on August 25, 2016, 09:52:00 AM
If you use overlays, cut a groove across the back for early tillering. When you get to full brace mark where your string lies and cut your side grooves.

  (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v181/ekrewson/bow%20making/drawingstringgrooves_zpsf7f6832f.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/ekrewson/media/bow%20making/drawingstringgrooves_zpsf7f6832f.jpg.html)
Title: Re: String groves
Post by: LittleBen on August 25, 2016, 09:06:00 PM
Eric is totally right, if it a longbow hats definately the best method IMO. I build a fair number of recurves and you can't do that with recurves, but I do the same thing for belly string groves.
Title: Re: String groves
Post by: Roy from Pa on August 26, 2016, 06:36:00 AM
I actually quit running the string grooves down the sides of the limb on my longbows. All that's needed is the groove across the back, that's what holds the string on the bow. I let the loops align where they want along the sides, which they always align perfectly. Haven't had any problems doing it that way.
Title: Re: String groves
Post by: PEARL DRUMS on August 26, 2016, 08:34:00 AM
Skip the side grooves altogether, you will be happy you did.
Title: Re: String groves
Post by: goobersan on August 26, 2016, 06:35:00 PM
Quote
Originally posted by PEARL DRUMS:
Skip the side grooves altogether, you will be happy you did.
What about an R/D glass bow ?
Title: Re: String groves
Post by: PEARL DRUMS on August 26, 2016, 07:55:00 PM
I see no benefits to side grooves in any bows. Lots of examples of very extreme designs with just a top groove. Like a Mongol horse bow. I build all wood bows. Besides a few that have no tip over lays, the last 50 had only a top groove.
Title: Re: String groves
Post by: Mad Max on August 27, 2016, 12:06:00 AM
Quote
Originally posted by PEARL DRUMS:
I see no benefits to side grooves in any bows. Lots of examples of very extreme designs with just a top groove. Like a Mongol horse bow. I build all wood bows. Besides a few that have no tip over lays, the last 50 had only a top groove.
Most of mine have a groove on top
Title: Re: String groves
Post by: PEARL DRUMS on August 27, 2016, 07:51:00 AM
There are some recurves that have very thin overlays, obviously you wont be using a top groove only. I make my grooves just deep enough that I cant feel my string loop. No clicking, no popping, no string alignment issues at all. Makes it really easy.
Title: Re: String groves
Post by: goobersan on August 27, 2016, 09:33:00 AM
Obviously the sides will be as smooth as possible.  Are there any issues with the the string loops themselves?  Not doubting years of experience but I would think the inside of the loop would show some wear sliding on the outside of the limb.
Title: Re: String groves
Post by: PEARL DRUMS on August 28, 2016, 08:22:00 AM
No wear that I can see on the bows or strings. My most shot bow has at least 3-5,000 shots through it.
Title: Re: String groves
Post by: goobersan on August 28, 2016, 09:03:00 AM
awesome. I will try this on my next bow. I thank you all for the input    :campfire:
Title: Re: String groves
Post by: Mad Max on August 28, 2016, 09:29:00 AM
most of my tip are not wide enough for grooves

  (http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/b593/osagemark/mojam2016/100_0901.jpg) (http://s1293.photobucket.com/user/osagemark/media/mojam2016/100_0901.jpg.html)
Title: Re: String groves
Post by: PEARL DRUMS on August 28, 2016, 09:46:00 AM
Exactly what prompted me to do it, Mark. I have since beefed up my tips, yet I still only use a top groove. Another benefit not mentioned yet is the fact you always know its seated when you brace the bow. Its either in 100% or its not 100%.
Title: Re: String groves
Post by: George Tsoukalas on August 30, 2016, 08:58:00 AM
I don't do overlays so here is how I cut the nocks.

 http://traditionalarchery101.com/boardbowbuildalong.html

Jawge
Title: Re: String groves
Post by: Robertfishes on August 30, 2016, 09:52:00 PM
Filing string grooves can be pretty intimidating. I do mine by eye with a chainsaw file. There are guys who make this look soooo easy and it is...for them......in the last year and a half I just file across the top of overlays down into the phenolic, then 90 degrees thru the limbs sides, then down into the back of the limb on belly leaving a "shoulder". I sand the thin sharp edge of the shoulder cause it is sharp and it thin and can catch the string causing a splinter. thie picture is of one I was working on and was not finished..I wish I could spend a week or two watching and learning from one of the Pros..    (http://i596.photobucket.com/albums/tt46/Robertfishes/roughtip_zpsdviltfse.jpg) (http://s596.photobucket.com/user/Robertfishes/media/roughtip_zpsdviltfse.jpg.html)
Title: Re: String groves
Post by: Robertfishes on August 30, 2016, 09:54:00 PM
almost done..After posting the pics it looks like they are different bows,,,,but you get the idea of what I am doing..    (http://i596.photobucket.com/albums/tt46/Robertfishes/recurve%20stringgroove_zpsqwigdhjz.jpg) (http://s596.photobucket.com/user/Robertfishes/media/recurve%20stringgroove_zpsqwigdhjz.jpg.html)
Title: Re: String groves
Post by: Robertfishes on August 30, 2016, 09:56:00 PM
after a coat or 3 of Krystal Dull.   (http://i596.photobucket.com/albums/tt46/Robertfishes/bow%20tip_zpsn6gijwx4.jpg) (http://s596.photobucket.com/user/Robertfishes/media/bow%20tip_zpsn6gijwx4.jpg.html)
Title: Re: String groves
Post by: PEARL DRUMS on August 31, 2016, 08:39:00 AM
Great looking grooves, I like that style as well.
Title: Re: String groves
Post by: Roy from Pa on August 31, 2016, 03:03:00 PM
Very nice, Robert.
Title: Re: String groves
Post by: LittleBen on August 31, 2016, 10:21:00 PM
Quote
Originally posted by Roy from Pa:
Very nice, Robert.
X2. That is my preferred style as well. All of the function with minimal mass.