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Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: FrankM on March 21, 2010, 03:47:00 PM

Title: Tuning bow string/brace height
Post by: FrankM on March 21, 2010, 03:47:00 PM
Hi, I have a Martin Jaguar Takedown Recurve in #50 lbs. I have a draw length of 27" and the bow pulls at #51 at this. But, I just put the string on the bow and didn't twist it. The brace height is 6 1/4" like that. The spec says it should be 7". How do I tune this to quiet it down and find the best brace height? Do I twist the string and start from 7 inches? Or should I just start from an untwisted string? It's the string that came with the bow.
Title: Re: Tuning bow string/brace height
Post by: Ross on March 21, 2010, 03:52:00 PM
Twist the string to 7" and start from there.
Raising the brace height should help quiet the bow.
You may have to adjust again after shooting a while
as the string may stretch.
Title: Re: Tuning bow string/brace height
Post by: FrankM on March 21, 2010, 06:43:00 PM
Thanks Ross. Just curious though. With the string untwisted, my draw weight is #51 at 27 inch draw length. Will this change if I twist the string? Maybe I should get rechecked at the bow shop when I've tuned my bow?
Title: Re: Tuning bow string/brace height
Post by: lpcjon2 on March 21, 2010, 06:57:00 PM
it should be twisted before you string the bow,you shouldn't have two separate strings they should be twisted together
Title: Re: Tuning bow string/brace height
Post by: FrankM on March 21, 2010, 07:18:00 PM
Yes. With no twists, the stock bowstring brace height is 6 1/4 inches. If I take the string off, twist it 35 times, then put the string back on, the brace height is at the recommended 7 inches. But, will that change my draw weight?
Title: Re: Tuning bow string/brace height
Post by: lpcjon2 on March 21, 2010, 07:26:00 PM
What is the true spec of the bow they should be marked on it (50@28) or something similar.Whatever the spec's of the bow are thats what most likely what it was @ 7" Braced when measured.
Title: Re: Tuning bow string/brace height
Post by: FrankM on March 21, 2010, 07:43:00 PM
It's a 50# bow at 28" draw. I wondered why I got a draw weight of 51# at 27". I guess with the brace height at 6 1/4" that would explain it?
Title: Re: Tuning bow string/brace height
Post by: lpcjon2 on March 21, 2010, 07:53:00 PM
Do the brace at 7" and put on some cat whiskers(helps with noise and string shock) and have at it and shoot a week and check the brace every day to see if it has stretched before you lower the brace again.Good lick and let us know how you made out.
Title: Re: Tuning bow string/brace height
Post by: FrankM on March 21, 2010, 08:29:00 PM
OK, I will. I just shot it without cat whiskers though. Here are my results:
1. Twisted 37 times to 7 inches, avg. noise, decent speed, though seems slower than string with no twists.
2. Twisted 40 times, to 7 1/8 inches, no noticable difference in speed or noise.
3. Twisted 45 times, to 7 3/8 inches, speed seemed to drop off, noise not really better but maybe just a tad quieter.

I'll continue with what you say, and let you know.  :)
Title: Re: Tuning bow string/brace height
Post by: frank bullitt on March 21, 2010, 08:42:00 PM
Is this an endless type string? Too many twist, is as bad as none at all, maybe more so!

Every string should have some twist, but you can "kill" the integrity of the material used.

One with too much twist, can cause alot of vibration, ie, noise, loss in performance.
Title: Re: Tuning bow string/brace height
Post by: lpcjon2 on March 21, 2010, 08:52:00 PM
I would keep it at 7" and shoot it a while before you change the height.The string has to stretch.
Title: Re: Tuning bow string/brace height
Post by: FrankM on March 21, 2010, 08:54:00 PM
OK, I'll keep it at 7" inches which means 37 twists. It sounds like too much twist. It is the stock string Martin sent with the bow. The serving type material near one of the loops is coming loose. Should I get a new string? Any recommendations?
Title: Re: Tuning bow string/brace height
Post by: lpcjon2 on March 21, 2010, 09:22:00 PM
Can you post a pick of the string.It's hard to talk about what you can't see.Does it look braided about 6" before the loop?If it is then it's probably a flemish twist and the little ends are ok if they look frayed.A pic would really help.
Title: Re: Tuning bow string/brace height
Post by: FrankM on March 21, 2010, 09:55:00 PM
It looks like this. A standard Dacron bowstring I think.    http://www.3riversarchery.com/Double+Loop++B-50+Dacron+Endless+Bowstrings_c0_s0_p0_i4243X_product.html
Title: Re: Tuning bow string/brace height
Post by: lpcjon2 on March 21, 2010, 09:59:00 PM
Frank go to the main forum under Photography and it will show you how to post pics.Yours didn't post.
Title: Re: Tuning bow string/brace height
Post by: FrankM on March 21, 2010, 10:00:00 PM
I saw that. I put the link in. Can you see that?
Title: Re: Tuning bow string/brace height
Post by: lpcjon2 on March 21, 2010, 10:03:00 PM
Thats not a flemish,it's endless loop. If it's frayed I would get a new one and not shoot that one anymore.It could be from shooting it without any twists in the string.
Title: Re: Tuning bow string/brace height
Post by: FrankM on March 21, 2010, 10:06:00 PM
Well, I did do that. But I'm a newbie. Geez.  :)  Anyway, any good bowstrings out there for a 60" takedown recurve? Maybe one of those fast flight strings from the local archery shop?
Title: Re: Tuning bow string/brace height
Post by: lpcjon2 on March 21, 2010, 10:11:00 PM
Start a thread called who makes a good string and you will get many choices.Good luck
Title: Re: Tuning bow string/brace height
Post by: FrankM on March 21, 2010, 10:17:00 PM
Thanks everbody. I'm going to get a new string, some cat whiskers, and try again.  :)

It's not a total loss, all this shooting today is improving my aim. LOL
Title: Re: Tuning bow string/brace height
Post by: StickBowManMI on March 21, 2010, 10:28:00 PM
Frank: Will your Martin Jaguar handle a Fast Flight or similar string? If its not built up at the nock ends it probably needs a Dacron String. Check with Martin to see what they recommend for the bow .
Title: Re: Tuning bow string/brace height
Post by: FrankM on March 21, 2010, 10:34:00 PM
Yes, it'll handle a fast flight string. It said the string that came with it is 55 inches. For a 60" bow that seems weird.