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Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: Davesea on December 14, 2011, 02:28:00 PM

Title: String making- twists per inch
Post by: Davesea on December 14, 2011, 02:28:00 PM
Seems like there is alot of variation in the number of twists in bow strings.  My limited experience indicates less is better?  Like 1-1.5" per twist.  Anyone have any empirical information on what is optimal?

Dave
Title: Re: String making- twists per inch
Post by: Jeff Strubberg on December 14, 2011, 02:31:00 PM
Less is better, but the proper brace height trumps number of twists for performance.  That's a major factor in the variation you see.
Title: Re: String making- twists per inch
Post by: Davesea on December 14, 2011, 02:38:00 PM
Jeff,
Assuming the string length is optimized for brace height, what is your optimal twists per inch?
Dave
Title: Re: String making- twists per inch
Post by: Ground Hunter on December 14, 2011, 09:15:00 PM
I've got some that are about 1 turn an inch - others might be 2 1/2 or so.  Arrow still comes off the bow.  Brace height trumps number of turns.  When you un-string it - if it furls up like a scared earth worm, it may be twisted too much.
Title: Re: String making- twists per inch
Post by: kat on December 15, 2011, 10:37:00 AM
Dave,
It has been my observation that unless it is twisted too tight like Ground Hunter stated, it doesn't matter a lot. Of course, you need some twist in it for strength.
I shoot for 1.5 twists per inch when I make my strings. Many times they settle in closer to one twist per inch, and they work just fine for me.
Title: Re: String making- twists per inch
Post by: Rob DiStefano on December 15, 2011, 01:21:00 PM
i don't like a lotta string twists, however ...

twists are an issue for flemish - there will be a minimum required to keep the string together and that will come from experience.

endless strings need no twists at all, but for best functionality a dozen or so are used to aerodynamically round off.
Title: Re: String making- twists per inch
Post by: Bjorn on December 15, 2011, 02:12:00 PM
1-1.5 makes me happy.
Title: Re: String making- twists per inch
Post by: Ric O'Shay on December 15, 2011, 02:26:00 PM
Never really took a ruler to my strings. But after reading this, I did. I made a new string for one of my Massie Longhorns. Guess what? 1 twist per inch. Out of curiosity I measured several others. 1 twist per inch. Looks as if one inch makes me happy and I didn't even know it.    :bigsmyl:  

Danny
Title: Re: String making- twists per inch
Post by: Jeff Strubberg on December 15, 2011, 03:10:00 PM
Anything from 1 per 1.5 inches to 1 per .75 inches would be fine, IMHO

The problem with more twist is that it means you are carrying more string material for the same length string.  Even if you don't have problems with excessive stretch and give, you are using a heavier string than necessary.
Title: Re: String making- twists per inch
Post by: amazonjim on December 15, 2011, 03:15:00 PM
Well tell me what happens if they are more twist.
Title: Re: String making- twists per inch
Post by: Jeff Strubberg on December 15, 2011, 03:27:00 PM
Erm...
Title: Re: String making- twists per inch
Post by: bornagainbowhunter on December 15, 2011, 03:34:00 PM
Most of my strings are about a twist per inch, but I make them about 3 or 4 twists per inch for my boys.  They like 'em some flashy style...

God Bless,
Nathan
Title: Re: String making- twists per inch
Post by: wtpops on December 15, 2011, 04:08:00 PM
QuoteOriginally posted by amazonjim:
Well tell me what happens if they are more twist.
Mainly just unneeded weight, string heaver than it needs to be. Like said above correct brace height trumps twist count.
Title: Re: String making- twists per inch
Post by: Ric O'Shay on December 15, 2011, 07:14:00 PM
QuoteOriginally posted by amazonjim:
Well tell me what happens if they are more twist.
Basically it acts like a coil spring. Extra give or stretch. Ever grabbed one end of a Slinky? See what I mean?
Title: Re: String making- twists per inch
Post by: Jack Whitmire Jr on December 15, 2011, 07:44:00 PM
Doesn't matter , I got a buddy that worries about such trivial stuff . Twist to the correct brace height and shoot it then set a nocking point when it is stretched out.
Title: Re: String making- twists per inch
Post by: frank bullitt on December 15, 2011, 10:27:00 PM
Well, Ric O'Shay and myself have agreed on this subject in other posts on strings!

First, I come from a business, manufacturing background, where material costs matter!

"Lean manufacturing", as they title it today!

From the standpoint of effeciency, weight, and the spring factor, I feel too much twist in the body of a string, causes ineffecient performance.

Not speed... performance! A difference!

Take a look at the HH forum, page 402, and the EastTexasRedneck's sweet looking bow!

Now, look at the string. That's what I want in a properly twisted Flemish string!

As a builder, alot of twist, also means more material, more means waste, and less! "$".

I see some top bows out there, with such strings. They could be even better, with  a little less!
Title: Re: String making- twists per inch
Post by: Charlie Lamb on December 16, 2011, 07:49:00 AM
2.563 per inch above the serving and 1.0002 per inch below. Twist should be counterclockwise for lefties.... but that's just me.    ;)
Title: Re: String making- twists per inch
Post by: Rob DiStefano on December 18, 2011, 07:14:00 AM
QuoteOriginally posted by Charlie Lamb:
2.563 per inch above the serving and 1.0002 per inch below. Twist should be counterclockwise for lefties.... but that's just me.      ;)  
oh charlie, there you go telling fibs - we both know it's 2.653 per inch above and 1.0003 below, with counterclockwise righty twist only when the moon is full or new.  dang.    :D
Title: Re: String making- twists per inch
Post by: Jack Whitmire Jr on December 18, 2011, 07:17:00 AM
:archer2:
Title: Re: String making- twists per inch
Post by: David McLendon on December 18, 2011, 04:10:00 PM
Mine are one half to one at my desired brace height, six strand up to 55# then up to eight for my higher weight bows. Ultra-Cam
Title: Re: String making- twists per inch
Post by: broketooth on December 18, 2011, 07:43:00 PM
i havent made a whole bunch of strings but the ones i have made came out sweet. this is my observation, even with a flemish twist properly made should resemble close to round, this is with the right amount of twist in setting brace and after time to stretch. b-50 has the most stretch for synthetic strings. and of course , the more high performance string you use the less stretch you get. there are different bundling techniques that dictate how many twists per inch. all said and done the string is supposed to be close to round , the center serving makes the string completely round  when done properly