I thought I might be getting a pretty good deal on a Buy It Now item when I found a guy making flemish strings from B50 material but when the torn envelope arrived I was happy to see that the string did not seem to be damaged. Since I had received the string and it appeared to be ok I left positive feedback for him.
I now put no more than four clockwise twists in the string and this is what I got.
(http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h285/neonmoon136/IMG_20130602_123200_248_zps75870022.jpg) (http://s67.photobucket.com/user/neonmoon136/media/IMG_20130602_123200_248_zps75870022.jpg.html) (http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h285/neonmoon136/IMG_20130602_123231_660_zps576730c7.jpg) (http://s67.photobucket.com/user/neonmoon136/media/IMG_20130602_123231_660_zps576730c7.jpg.html)
I know that this is a $10 lesson learned but four twists in the string (clockwise) makes a flemish string unsalvagable??
Now the seller is saying that it is my fault for putting twists in the string to manage the brace height.
Am I missing something here?
Doug
Well, if he's left handed, the string may twist the other way to shorten it.Four twists shouldn't unravel like that, though.
string doesn't look waxed. not hard to twist it back up.
Plus it appears all the ends are cut the same length. I like mine to taper down nicely at the ends of the loop splices. It can be fixed.
Well...now that I have submitted positive feedback I have little recourse. The seller states that the string is "unsalvageable" because of the twists that were put in the string.
I have no intent in trying to reconstruct the string but wanted some input on how these flemish strings are made and if they can in fact become useless if twists are put in them to adjust for brace.
I have been a compound bow archer and this is all pretty new to me. When I want to shorten the yokes on my compounds I put clockwise twists in them.
At least this was only a $10 lesson learned. Could have been worse.
Doug
There are some guys selling strings on the auction site that are fine string makers, but this doesn't appear to be one of them IMO. :rolleyes:
Yes, don't discount all fleabay sellers- one of them actually makes all the strings for 3Rivers, he's the only one I buy from, but I'm sure there's others.
You can't just assume that the string is clockwise. You ended up untwisting the string and that's what holds a Flemish together.
The lesson is to look at the direction of twist before twisting a string.
Mike
QuoteOriginally posted by wingnut:
You can't just assume that the string is clockwise. You ended up untwisting the string and that's what holds a Flemish together.
The lesson is to look at the direction of twist before twisting a string.
Mike
Yes, and I get that. I have some pretty poor close in vision without my glasses and I am sure that I twisted it the wrong way. But four twists???
This thing either was not made exactly right or it unraveled in the package. Four twists will not shorten or lengthen brace on any bow too much.
I will be sure to put on my specs before ever attempting to twist a flemish string again.....that is if I ever purchase another.
Bad taste in my mouth after this.
Doug
Hate to say it BUT
A $10 string? Ya got what you paid for.
Brutal I know but to good of a deal is almost always asking for it. A new Flemish string for that price? You should have known better
I know it sucks the guy won't stand behind his work. But give it a rub and move on. Count yourself lucky it was only $10
didn't you believe what I told you on the other site?? :biglaugh: :biglaugh: :biglaugh:
Arne
Four twists in either direction should not cause a properly made string to unravel.
If he says he can't fix that string because it's unsalvageable he probably needs a lesson or two, or perhaps need to be a bit more honest. I had some do that to me early in my string making and I was able to fix them. But twisting the string to add more brace ht. is common practice. Un twisting to decrease brace ht. is common practice. But if you're untwisting, there is a limit you can untwist it. If you untwist it too far the splices will untwist and look like the picture you posted. But even when that happens it can be fixed. In fact if you send it to me I'll fix it for you.
4 twists one way or the other won't cause a problem with a properly made string.
QuoteOriginally posted by moebow:
didn't you believe what I told you on the other site?? :biglaugh: :biglaugh: :biglaugh:
Arne
Sure I did but not all of my intent is to gather information about string construction. There will be others like myself who are stepping into uncharted waters and learning new stuff every day concerning the sport of trad shooting and this information should be helpful to them also.
I learned a little bit from this venture and hopefully others like myself can too.
Doug
BTW....I sure whish I could mimic your shooting form. Your videos help me a lot.
QuoteOriginally posted by petalumapete:
Hate to say it BUT
A $10 string? Ya got what you paid for.
Brutal I know but to good of a deal is almost always asking for it. A new Flemish string for that price? You should have known better
I know it sucks the guy won't stand behind his work. But give it a rub and move on. Count yourself lucky it was only $10
No reason to hate to say it if it is the truth brother. I hear ya loud and clear.
Doug
Actually, I've sold lots of b-50 and b-55 strings for $10. I still do, the D-10 strings are more though.
Do yourself a favor, buy a string board and twist your own. It's simple and fun to do. As was mentioned, righties twist counter-clockwise, lefties twist clockwise as a rule. Your string is very salvageable... wax it and do it over once you learn how. 3 Rivers has an excellent "How To" DVD and they also sell the boards. Good luck
you have a guy in your state that makes a fine string ,his name is Allen Shafer with Lefties Are Us
Four twists in the wrong direction should have done nothing other than make the string longer.
The guy who built the string didn't remove the twist when he did the second loop. That's why it came apart.
Caveat Emptor.
Looks to me the guy has written on that note "Any problems Please don't hesitate to ask"?
Did you call him or did he explain on which direction to twist to tighten the string?
Assuming like many I hold the bottom loop and twist counter clockwise for a right hand bow ...
The guy could of made some instruction copy's on paper on how to twist his strings ...
I never sell mine but had made well over a few hundred if not more and if I don't know the person I always explain which direction to twist ,strand count and what bow it was intended for if I knew of coarse....
By the guys note it seemed he was willing to solve a problem "But" if it were me I would of just made you another to keep a happy customer...
Have you been shooting traditional bows long and do you know the difference's in a Flemish twist verses a Continous loop string?
A flemish twist can come apart by the customer as well if not twisted properly when bracing the bow....
Mike Mecredy Stepped forward and said He will fix it and that just shows that many here as Trad shooters are great people ...
If you ever need another remember to come here and ask for a reliable stringmaker and there are several great makers here...If you are looking for a very cheap one for $10.00 including shipping more then likely it too may come apart ...
On average for a B-50 most are getting $16.00/$18.00 for one and that's worth every penny cause it takes me a good 1/2 hour to do one right including the serving and sometimes an hour... The fast flight is around $20.00 to $22.00 or more but just price the materials and time to make it and include the shipping charge's...
The guys do it mostly for just a few bucks really...
My personal opinion is the fella didn't taper or give it much back twist leaving the loops...
I would throw it away and spend a couple bucks more and buy one from one of the reputable string makers on Tradgang.
Keefer.....I have to assume that seller was more than willing to make things right so that he would avoid the chance of getting a negative or neutral feedback. It was AFTER positive feedback was left that I sent him the pictures of the problem string and he immediately told me that it was all my fault and that I had completely ruined the string. He made no attempt at resolution although I proceeded to tell them that I was unaware that a flemish string could not be twisted because I was completely new to this.
You are completely correct. Trad guys seem to be a different sort of sportsmen as they have offered so much help to me. One guy just shipped me three good books. Another offered to even come by my home where I shoot and help me with my form. Mike Mecredy has offered to fix the string as has others. Another has offered to make me a brand new string purely out of care and concern for someone just getting into the sport of stickbow shooting.
Being a follower of Jesus I am humbled by such sacrificial giving that puts many of us Christians to shame. Not sure what shooting a traditional bow has to do with also having a giving heart but it is my experience that they tend to go together.
Today I am on the receiving end of this courteous hospitality but I am also aware that there will come an opportunity to give to others as I have been shown.
Thank you all for a lesson learned that tremendously transends any $10 string problem on an aucton site.
Doug
Step One: order 1/4# spool of B-50 for ~$10
String wax ... lots its cheap
Step Two: Go to basement/shop and collect the following: 2-3 dozen finish nails
Pine 1x4, 3ft
Ruler
Pencil
Hammer
Step Three: Follow these instructions:
http://www.stickbow.com/stickbow/features/flemishstring/flemishstring.html
Step Four: Dance
I made teh same board but I used all finish nails instead of making all the holes for the vartious string lengths and using a peg. I just put a finish nail in each position. It works just as well.