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Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: freefeet on November 08, 2008, 04:29:00 PM

Title: Home made string silencers...
Post by: freefeet on November 08, 2008, 04:29:00 PM
Does anyone make their own?

Are the pom pom ones just like wool pom poms?
Title: Re: Home made string silencers...
Post by: Friends call me Pac on November 08, 2008, 04:56:00 PM
I make my own pom poms with 100% wool.  I shot and missed a deer at 15 yards the other day and noticed 3 more at about 25 yards to my left that I had not seen.  The only deer that had any idea that something was wrong was the one I shot at.  The others didn't even stop eating acorns.
Title: Re: Home made string silencers...
Post by: Soilarch on November 08, 2008, 05:04:00 PM
You can make you're own catwiskers from the 'rubber leg' material they sell for fly-tying purposes. I made some once from but didn't leave them on long enough to really try them.  (The only color I had was white!  You can get them in just about every color you can think of.)

BUT you really don't save much money buying the rubber leg material.  The only benefit is the color choice and perhaps if you wanted longer catwisker than what's available.
Title: Re: Home made string silencers...
Post by: freefeet on November 08, 2008, 05:33:00 PM
Thanks Pac, what sort of size, weight, compactness do go for?  

What's best, coarse or fine wool?
Title: Re: Home made string silencers...
Post by: Grey Taylor on November 08, 2008, 06:27:00 PM
Soilarch, no offense but I beg to differ on the cost savings.
A leading archery supplier has one set of cat whiskers for $1.95, Some guys get two bow's worth out of the kit.
A leading tackle supplier has a sample bag of rubber skirt material for $3.49. In that you get 1' each of 10 colors. Probably a minimum of 20 bow's worth.

Guy
Title: Re: Home made string silencers...
Post by: NightHawk on November 08, 2008, 06:49:00 PM
I've used yarn to make mine. I wrap the yarn around my hand attach it to the string, then I cut the loops and gently flick the string until it puffs out
Title: Re: Home made string silencers...
Post by: Toklat1 on November 08, 2008, 08:42:00 PM
I make mine out of beaver hides I trapped off of a friends property a few years ago. The hide that I use should last me a long long time. It was a huge beaver!  :D
Title: Re: Home made string silencers...
Post by: JRY309 on November 08, 2008, 09:28:00 PM
I make my own out of 100% wool yarn,works great.
Title: Re: Home made string silencers...
Post by: The Gopher on November 08, 2008, 09:41:00 PM
yup i make em out of wool yarn and sew them onto a strip of ribbon just like the store bought ones. i made a jug out of plastic card and use my wifes sewing machine, i hate to brag, but they look storebought too.
Title: Re: Home made string silencers...
Post by: metsastaja on November 08, 2008, 09:47:00 PM
I use camo wool 100%wool from joann fabric.

 (http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii45/heilakka/bow/b3a4e55f.jpg)
 
 (http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii45/heilakka/bow/cb6c5189.jpg)
Title: Re: Home made string silencers...
Post by: waiting4fall on November 08, 2008, 09:56:00 PM
Ditto for the heavy duty wool yarn.
Title: Re: Home made string silencers...
Post by: Paul WA on November 08, 2008, 11:58:00 PM
get the heaviest yarn made...PR
Title: Re: Home made string silencers...
Post by: freefeet on November 09, 2008, 04:07:00 AM
Thanks for the replies and those pics!

What sort of diameter pompom is best?

Do you tie the middle with anything or just let the bow string hold it together?
Title: Re: Home made string silencers...
Post by: Stone Knife on November 09, 2008, 04:51:00 AM
I use raw wool, it's kinda smelly and greasy but it is waterproof and it works good and did I mention that I get it for free   :bigsmyl:
Title: Re: Home made string silencers...
Post by: freefeet on November 09, 2008, 09:57:00 AM
Thanks, Les!

 :)
Title: Re: Home made string silencers...
Post by: metsastaja on November 09, 2008, 10:27:00 AM
Welcome Stan.
happy to hear you got it. Cause it has disappeared now.
Title: Re: Home made string silencers...
Post by: NightHawk on November 09, 2008, 11:34:00 AM
I use a small zip tie (cable tie) to attach it to the string
Title: Re: Home made string silencers...
Post by: Friends call me Pac on November 09, 2008, 01:50:00 PM
Quote
Originally posted by freefeet:
Thanks Pac, what sort of size, weight, compactness do go for?  

What's best, coarse or fine wool?
Thicker courser yarn is better for me. My wife found a hank of yarn called "Fishermen's Wool" at a craft shop.  It is 100% wool and was just what I was looking for.

I make 15 wraps around 4 spred fingers.  Then I seperate the string and place the yarn in the split. I spread the yarn a little so it isn't bunched up. Snip the yarn ends loose and that's about it.  

If it doesn't look right just repeat the process to get the look that you want. My puff balls are about the size of a lemon and work well for me.

I leave the bow strung overnight and shoot it the next day.  After a few shots the yarn will start to puff out and take shape.