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Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: Zradix on December 04, 2010, 03:10:00 PM

Title: Un-conventional String silencing techniques
Post by: Zradix on December 04, 2010, 03:10:00 PM
I have a new long bow..love it.

Just a little string hum.
I have a new string on the way.

I know about brace ht adjustment and such.
I tried rubber whiskers..not so great
Tried a couple different types of yarn balls..Thump

I know of lots of other stuff out there to try and moving up and down the string etc.

My question is has anyone tried taking a few ( 10 or so maybe) 2-3" single strands of yarn and placing them through the string in different locations throughout the length of the string one by one.

I'm thinking of trying this but I don't have any yarn right now, except for the balls with sewn "backing strip"

The balls just seem too much for the problem.
Like finish work with a sledge hammer ya know.

Thanks
Title: Re: Un-conventional String silencing techniques
Post by: magnus on December 04, 2010, 03:21:00 PM
Have you tried Hush Puppies? They're the best I've found. Look great on hybrid too! They seem denser than yarn. Good luck!

Keeping the Faith!
Magnus
Title: Re: Un-conventional String silencing techniques
Post by: bamacrazy on December 04, 2010, 03:25:00 PM
Your arrows are not overspined are they?
Title: Re: Un-conventional String silencing techniques
Post by: Zradix on December 04, 2010, 03:59:00 PM
Nope haven't tried the Hush puppies.
Heard good things about them though.
All the yarn type silencers I've tried always have this "thump" to them no matter where I put em.
Just don't care for that.

I was thinking about just a little touch of poly pillow stuffing maybe.

Bamacrazy..
My arrows are spined and tuned really pretty well.
I am curious though how that would effect the noise? Were you thinking of the rear of the arrow smacking the riser?

Thanks for the help guys.
Title: Re: Un-conventional String silencing techniques
Post by: magnus on December 04, 2010, 04:04:00 PM
Heavier arrows will help as well.

Keeping the Faith!
Magnus
Title: Re: Un-conventional String silencing techniques
Post by: jamesh76 on December 04, 2010, 04:07:00 PM
I like using wool yarn. There was a post on here a while back on how some use it. More less just wrap it around my hand, cut and place it in the string. I do serve mine in and then cut the ends.   $7 rool or 70% wool yarn goes along ways.

James
Title: Re: Un-conventional String silencing techniques
Post by: Zradix on December 04, 2010, 04:25:00 PM
Magnus,

I have some ash arrows I tried but just too heavy for my taste.
they came out at 688grain with tips.

I'm only holding 43#.
Right now I'm shooting 530grn with tips.
That seems ok with me.
Title: Re: Un-conventional String silencing techniques
Post by: magnus on December 04, 2010, 04:27:00 PM
At 43# that should be plenty heavy. What is your string material made of?

Keeping the Faith!
Magnus
Title: Re: Un-conventional String silencing techniques
Post by: Zradix on December 04, 2010, 04:35:00 PM
I have a new 8125 ordered from Chad.
And that'll put everything up in the air again.

I think the string is a 14 strand dacron just by looking at it which is a little heavy for the bow.

My bow is pretty quiet. I'm going hunting with it tomorrow no silencers at all.
I might be able to tune the new string even better since it will be better suited to the bow.

I'm really just wondering if anybody tried a technique like in the pic below and if it worked at all.

Thanks for the help

(http://i748.photobucket.com/albums/xx121/Zradix/Stringsilencer.jpg)
Title: Re: Un-conventional String silencing techniques
Post by: magnus on December 04, 2010, 04:41:00 PM
Give it whirl and let us know. Be a good back up string. Good luck!

Keeping the Faith!
Magnus
Title: Re: Un-conventional String silencing techniques
Post by: Zradix on December 04, 2010, 05:12:00 PM
Just did..sort of.

I don't have any yarn right now.
But I did have some packing from a blown out Yellow jacket target. Trimmed a little of the woven stuff from inside. Not the loose fiber.

Dusted it real quick with some ultra flat paint.
Baked it a bit over the heater to dry the paint and get rid of the smell.

Stuck it in the string.

Worked great. Just a very faint strum now.

It isn't pretty. But it'll do for now.
Thanks for the help all!

I love trad archery....

 (http://i748.photobucket.com/albums/xx121/Zradix/Stringtech.jpg)
Title: Re: Un-conventional String silencing techniques
Post by: PA-Spot on December 04, 2010, 05:48:00 PM
Musk Ox from 3-rivers the best I have found.
Title: Re: Un-conventional String silencing techniques
Post by: rastaman on December 04, 2010, 05:54:00 PM
It ain't pretty, but i guess whatever works!   :D
Title: Re: Un-conventional String silencing techniques
Post by: xtrema312 on December 04, 2010, 05:56:00 PM
Try one or two pair of super string leaches.  Could be just the ticket for that bow.  Also try the cat whiskers again, but try a little different application of them.  Take about a 5" strip and split it down the middle.  Then tie each on the string.  I just knot it on, but you can use some floss or something if you like.  Leave them kind of long.  You can trim them a little at a time.  They get a little tangled some times, but you just give them a little pull and that comes out.  This makes a lighter silencer and gives a different affect than doing the larger balls of whiskers.
Title: Re: Un-conventional String silencing techniques
Post by: lpcjon2 on December 04, 2010, 05:58:00 PM
Have you tried beaver balls?
Title: Re: Un-conventional String silencing techniques
Post by: Huntschool on December 04, 2010, 06:14:00 PM
Sometimes the wool balls work better if you trim them.  I have trimed them back to 1/2 inch on some bows with great success

The hush puppy things are great also... same thing, don't be afraid to trim them.
Title: Re: Un-conventional String silencing techniques
Post by: lpcjon2 on December 04, 2010, 06:16:00 PM
I have so many jokes brewing on that post.   :D    Yes it is appropriate to trim your -----.   :laughing:    :laughing:    :laughing:
Title: Re: Un-conventional String silencing techniques
Post by: Zradix on December 04, 2010, 10:07:00 PM
Nope no beaver balls.
Just lamb fries..   :laughing:

I tried the little bits of whiskers.
Once they were trimmed short enough not to make noise on themselves they didn't help the vibe much.

This isn't a big deal all.

My bow is quiet. Just goin for ultra quiet I guess.

I think with some better lookin material I might just do Like I did and it won't be too bad.
It worked darn good.
Title: Re: Un-conventional String silencing techniques
Post by: TKO on December 05, 2010, 05:18:00 AM
zradix, what bow is that?
Title: Re: Un-conventional String silencing techniques
Post by: Zradix on December 05, 2010, 06:25:00 AM
Martin Savannah.
62" 45#
Title: Re: Un-conventional String silencing techniques
Post by: Bowwild on December 05, 2010, 07:02:00 AM
There are a lot of threads dealing with bow silencing. Of course a quiet bow is an asset and a truly noisey one challenging to hunt with. I can also see what fun it would be to many to tinker with this aspect of shooting because after all we don't have any D-loops, untimed cams, 3rd axis leveling etc.

Seriously, I would love to hear one of these bows that folks have really worked on to silence. I have never owned or witnessed another shooter with a silent recurve or longbow. When I put whiskers, limbsaver leaches, or both (on a couple bows) they are as quiet, but not silent, as I expect them to be. I haven't had any deer react to my shot before the arrow hits them.

Maybe I need to record some shots out of various bows I have and play them back. It is quite likely that my perspective as the shooter is causing me to miss something (unitended pun)?
Title: Re: Un-conventional String silencing techniques
Post by: onewhohasfun on December 05, 2010, 08:19:00 AM
You said, like finish work with a sledge hammer. Putting a 14 strand on a #43 bow is the same amount of overkill. I'd put a 'skinny' from SBD on that thing and be done.
Title: Re: Un-conventional String silencing techniques
Post by: Night Wing on December 05, 2010, 09:00:00 AM
I have a 66" long, 42# take down recurve bow strung with a 12 strand Dyna97 bowstring shooting a 637 grain arrow which equates to a 16.15 GPP. Arrow speed isn't too bad, around 153 fps. Great for 20 yards and under shots. The bow is so quiet upon arrow release, I have no string silencers attached to the bowstring since it doesn't need any. Proper brace height also helps. The 42# bow is the top bow in my bow rack.

      (http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc254/vkirov2950/resizrlord-lancecom-resized-800_IMG_0354.jpg)
Title: Re: Un-conventional String silencing techniques
Post by: BamaBarebow on December 05, 2010, 05:19:00 PM
I put string leaches on mine..worked well, may not be the prettiest things but worked
Title: Re: Un-conventional String silencing techniques
Post by: Longspur77 on December 05, 2010, 09:07:00 PM
I like those silencers, never seen that before
Title: Re: Un-conventional String silencing techniques
Post by: Zradix on December 06, 2010, 08:10:00 AM
QuoteOriginally posted by onewhohasfun:
You said, like finish work with a sledge hammer. Putting a 14 strand on a #43 bow is the same amount of overkill. I'd put a 'skinny' from SBD on that thing and be done.
I didn't choose that string.
I have a new one coming from Chad.
I was just trying to get hunting ready with a new bow. Had 3 days from receiving bow till the hunt. Once the string comes in it'll all start over...kinda fun!
Title: Re: Un-conventional String silencing techniques
Post by: Zradix on December 06, 2010, 08:13:00 AM
The string leeches are always an idea.
Just sorta pricey. I enjoy trying to figure out a cheap and just as good if not better approach to things.....for better or worse    :knothead:
Title: Re: Un-conventional String silencing techniques
Post by: Zradix on December 06, 2010, 08:15:00 AM
Night Wing...

Nice sounding setup.
Good looking display/storage area you have there.
Looks right.
Title: Re: Un-conventional String silencing techniques
Post by: Night Wing on December 06, 2010, 08:34:00 AM
Zradix,

The second bow in the photo with the string silencers attached to the bowstring is my 66" long, 37# take down recurve. The bowstring on it is the factory 13 strand Dyna97 bowstring that came with it and the string silencer cat whiskers were already attached to it. It really doesn't need any string silencers either, but I hate wasting a good bowstring. When the bowstring or serving wears out, I'll put either a 10 or 12 strand Dyna97 bowstring on it. When I do, I won't attach any string silencers to it.
Title: Re: Un-conventional String silencing techniques
Post by: Zradix on December 06, 2010, 10:48:00 AM
Waste not want not.

That's my goal too.
Find a way to tune it well without using anything on the string.
Title: Re: Un-conventional String silencing techniques
Post by: SEMO_HUNTER on December 06, 2010, 12:49:00 PM
I use my own Beaver silencers from tanned beaver hide. Best string silencers I have ever found and tough as nails.

My grizzly is whisper quiet with woodies or carbons, makes no difference.
Title: Re: Un-conventional String silencing techniques
Post by: beetlebailey1977 on December 06, 2010, 12:51:00 PM
I use two woolie whispers they work fine.
Title: Re: Un-conventional String silencing techniques
Post by: Encino Man on December 06, 2010, 01:37:00 PM
QuoteOriginally posted by lpcjon2:
Have you tried beaver balls?
I tried the beaver balls once. They were really loud. Loosed the string and that little sucker started squealing like a little girl.  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Un-conventional String silencing techniques
Post by: sbschindler on December 06, 2010, 03:33:00 PM
I like wool yarn the best but I don't like a big glob of it on either end, I think it should be elongated and the lenght of the silencer stretched out to about at least 3 and no more than 4 inches and the yarn cut down so it only puffs out about a 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch.. Make it look less like a ball and more like a cattail. this way  it picks up less stickers and it quietens down the string better.
Title: Re: Un-conventional String silencing techniques
Post by: wildgame on December 06, 2010, 03:48:00 PM
QuoteOriginally posted by onewhohasfun:
You said, like finish work with a sledge hammer. Putting a 14 strand on a #43 bow is the same amount of overkill. I'd put a 'skinny' from SBD on that thing and be done.
worked for me,6 and a 8 strand with hush puppies.  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Un-conventional String silencing techniques
Post by: TDHunter on December 06, 2010, 03:55:00 PM
I agree Musox is the best !!
Title: Re: Un-conventional String silencing techniques
Post by: Night Wing on December 07, 2010, 08:51:00 AM
QuoteOriginally posted by Zradix:
Waste not want not.

That's my goal too.
Find a way to tune it well without using anything on the string.
Since it's set up and tuned perfectly for bowhunting right now, I don't want to mess with it. When bowhunting season is over in January where I hunt, I'll take off the cat whiskers on the 37# bow and re-tune her since I might have to change the brace height.
Title: Re: Un-conventional String silencing techniques
Post by: Zradix on December 07, 2010, 09:24:00 AM
I don't blame you.
I wasn't trying to "Tell you" how to tune your setup.
I should have worded it "My goal is to find a way to tune the bow without putting anything on the string also"
Wish you luck.
Every bow/setup is a unique puzzle waiting for someone to unlock its secrets...kinda like a lady..   :)  

My season is till Jan here too.
Then preparations start anew...lol
Title: Re: Un-conventional String silencing techniques
Post by: Zradix on December 07, 2010, 10:36:00 AM
Hey....That was post #1000 woohooo
Title: Re: Un-conventional String silencing techniques
Post by: njloco on December 07, 2010, 10:48:00 AM
I have a recurve that was loud, used rubber bands on it, that made pretty quiet, but what really worked well was the True Ball spiders, and I read somewhere they were not supposed to work.
Title: Re: Un-conventional String silencing techniques
Post by: Zradix on December 07, 2010, 10:50:00 AM
Rubber bands..YES!!!!
That's the kind of thinking I LIKE!!
   :knothead:
Title: Re: Un-conventional String silencing techniques
Post by: Zradix on December 07, 2010, 10:59:00 AM
I just had a thought..
Wonder how teflon tape would work.
Especially if you cut/shredded the the ends a bit.

Maybe the stainless type ( thicker and Grey )
or Oxygen use ( green )

Neither is as thick as the gas type (yellow) but I'm going to give it a try.
Title: Re: Un-conventional String silencing techniques
Post by: njloco on December 07, 2010, 02:40:00 PM
Doesn't teflon get a little stiff in the cold ?

I took the rubber bands and cut them across then tied one at each, then cut them the length about 1/2" before the knot. They weren't skinny bands but more like medium size, the size you would use to make a slingshot when you were a kid.

I do however much prefer the true ball spiders.

Hope this helps.
Title: Re: Un-conventional String silencing techniques
Post by: Don Stokes on December 07, 2010, 04:06:00 PM
Dan Quillian showed me another way to use rubber bands, useful for when you have to replace a string in the field with one that doesn't have any silencers on it. Loop a big rubber band back through itself around the string, and then stretch it over the limb tip so that the rubber band bridges between the string and the limb. It works great for silencing, but hangs up in the brush pretty easily. Good for "emergencies".
Title: Re: Un-conventional String silencing techniques
Post by: Buckeye Trad Hunter on December 07, 2010, 04:19:00 PM
QuoteOriginally posted by bamacrazy:
Your arrows are not overspined are they?
Or too lite?
Title: Re: Un-conventional String silencing techniques
Post by: Gatekeeper on December 07, 2010, 05:20:00 PM
Traditional Bowhunter Magazine "Tip of the Week"

Inner Tub Silencer
 http://www.aweber.com/archive/tbmtotw/1ZGbV/h/TBM_Tip_Of_The_Week_Inner_Tube.htm
Title: Re: Un-conventional String silencing techniques
Post by: Zradix on December 07, 2010, 08:53:00 PM
Very cool
Title: Re: Un-conventional String silencing techniques
Post by: LBR on December 08, 2010, 12:01:00 AM
Rubber is excellent for dampning vibrations--just ask SVL.  Cat whiskers have never failed me, as long as everything else was done right.  

Proper tuning, reasonable arrow weight, a decent release, etc. should all work towards a fairly quiet bow without silencers;  then a small set of silencers should seal the deal.  If I had to jump through hoops to get a bow quiet, I'd be looking for something else to shoot.  I'm too old for hoops....