I had this posted in the Bowyer's Bench forum but I thought I would get more responses here.
My center serving came loose on my flemish twist D97 bow string. I reserved it but now my arrow nock is very, very loose fitting on the string. Actually, it wasn't fitting tight enough before either. I don't want a really tight fit, but I don't want it where my arrow falls off the string either.
Can someone please tell me what size, material, and brand of serving I need to get the ideal fit for my arrow nocks? Or, what kind of tricks or tips are there on how to modify the area under my nock on the string to thicken it up a bit. It has been recommended by some to lay strands of string material on the string lengthwise and serve around those to get the ideal nock fit. But, won't the strands "bunch-up" together on one side of the string while I'm spinning my serving jig around the string?
I am using a D97, ten strand, flemish string. My arrows are Beman MFX 500 Classics that use the standard Easton X nock. Thanks for any and all help!
What size serving did you use? I like to use BCY No.62 .025 for my 10 strand D97.It gives a pretty good fit for an X-nock.
I use Beman H nocks (not sure if they have same throat size as the X). When serving 10-strand D97 or 12-strand 8125 for the H nocks, I use BCY Halo .024
I had the same trouble with a 10 strand TS-1 string. In order to keep the weight of the string down rather than reserve I just built up the string with dental floss for a quarter inch or so at my nocking point for ideal fit. It seems to be really tough and has worked very well.
Bruce, how do you keep the dental floss from coming off? Do you just tie it and it stays on?
Could I have possibly served my string too tightly? I did have it very tight when I served it.
JRY309, the serving size has worn off of the label on the end of the spool. I don't know what size it is, but it's braided.
As long as your string is too small, it is easy to fix. Just lay pieces of bowstring material (doesn't matter what type), under the serving until you get exactly the fit your want. Sometimes, just the tag end of the serving wrapped underneath will increase the diameter enough. I just start the serving and then lay the strands on lengthwise. You only need the extra strands underneath where your nock point is. I just cut the extra strands off a couple of inches before I finish the serving. I don't think you can really serve it too tight. As long as the serving jig will spin, even with quite a bit of resistance, it will be fine.
You can also double serve a short section. I usually do about 4" then serve over it full length. If doubling the serving you have is too much, try serving the short section with nylon sewing thread.
If you plan on laying strands of string material underneath. I have had the best luck by untwisting the bowstring at least partially after serving in the ends of the added strands. Make the added strands about 6-8" long. I serve them in one at a time, making a few wraps between each to taper them in. Then I try to match the added strands to the string as close as possible. Next, I tape the tag ends down and then retwist my string. Brace the bow and continue serving over the added strands until you have the area you want thicker done. Then clip the added strands. I like to taper them by clipping each about 1/8" longer than the last instead of having a quick drop off. Tapering the ends keeps my serving from spreading apart where the extra strands start and end. This way is kind of a pain, but it works well and it's hard to notice the fat spot in the string. The main advantage is if you know what strand count worked with your serving before, you can just add the number you need and you are good to go.
Either way works. I've tried the dental floss thing too, but it does wear faster than serving. I was afraid it would give out when I was hunting. Then, even if I carried some floss with me, I'd be wrapping floss on my string when Mr. Big strolled in.
Another thought, if the dental floss buildup works, then just lay an inch or so under the serving where the nock point will be placed and then serve over it.
Andy2
when i make 10 strand 8125 i use .030 seems to be just right for all arrows.if you dont have any and have smaller dia. serving.i put one layer on but leave it short,then start second layer above the first about 1 inch and cover past about 1 inch.that way your ends will cinch down bettter..chris
Thanks guys for all the great ideas! I went with 3 strands of very small spectra serving laid out on the string and served around it. Works like a charm. It was actually very easy to do. The strands didn't bunch-up together like I thought they would.
Thanks again for all of your suggestions.
Cool beans!
I serve the dental floss just as I would use serving... reverse wrap each end so the tag ends are tight within the floss 'serving'. Reason I like it is it is very light, very tough and lies flat so you can put just enough wraps on the string for perfect nock fit. This is going to work best if the string nock is set and tuning is completed: that is, you are not needing to move the string nock up and down. With a brass clamp nock its not that big a deal, but I like a dental floss string nock as well.