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Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: USMC0311 on September 09, 2013, 09:46:00 PM

Title: Bow breaking strings
Post by: USMC0311 on September 09, 2013, 09:46:00 PM
I have had my 62 inch recurve break 4 strings in the year I have owned it. 2 padded looped 10 strand strings 1 12 strand string and one 18 strand string. They have all broke about 6 inches from the top loop. Does anyone have any ideas why this would be happening.
Title: Re: Bow breaking strings
Post by: LBR on September 09, 2013, 09:56:00 PM
What string material?  Are you tying anything on the string in that spot, like silencers, wind indicator, etc?  Does the bow hang from that spot on the string, etc.?  Just trying to eliminate the obvious.  Other than that, I don't know.
Title: Re: Bow breaking strings
Post by: crafty on September 09, 2013, 10:01:00 PM
hmmm.    That is very interesting and i would have to guess it is because of the dynamics of the bow if they all broke like you described. I dont build bows but i do build plenty of strings and it doesnt make sense for them to break in the same area with out a contact point.

Usually on wheeled bows if they break in the same spot it is a burr on the cam or some rubbing of some sort.

Is the string contacting the limb at the point of the break?

Is there any frying before it breaks?

A picture might help too.
Title: Re: Bow breaking strings
Post by: USMC0311 on September 09, 2013, 10:02:00 PM
No the silencers are below where it breaks. And it's hung up but where the hook hits the string is above where it breaks. It has everyone stumped that I have talked to.
Title: Re: Bow breaking strings
Post by: USMC0311 on September 09, 2013, 10:04:00 PM
The string does not contact the bow where they have been breaking.
Title: Re: Bow breaking strings
Post by: Hermon on September 09, 2013, 10:11:00 PM
"A picture might help too."
I also would think it might help.
Title: Re: Bow breaking strings
Post by: gonefishing600 on September 10, 2013, 08:38:00 AM
How much twist do you have in the string to achieve proper brace height?
Title: Re: Bow breaking strings
Post by: Eric Krewson on September 10, 2013, 08:56:00 AM
I had a Bighorn,70#@28", that did the same thing, I was shooting 2114s out of it at the time(20 years ago). I mentioned this problem on one of the early bow sites, Dan Quillan answered point blank" you are dry firing your bow with the light 2114s, shoot a heavier arrow".

I thought "what does this old goat know", and kept breaking strings for a while. One day I made up some 2018s to hunt with that were about 100 gr heavier than my 2114s. Never broke a string with these heaver arrows and never shot the 2114s again.

Turns out I had short changed the advice of a wise old man. Had I listened in the first place, I wouldn't have had to eat near as much crow.
Title: Re: Bow breaking strings
Post by: Rigs on September 10, 2013, 09:19:00 AM
I was wondering the same thing as Eric...  I built a bow for a guy and he complained about breaking strings.  He had sent me the bow with his arrows in the tube.  I knew what the problem was the minute I saw the arrows and really sure after I weighed them...393 grains total weight out of 60#...  6.5 gpp...ouch!

Happy hunting,
Jason
Title: Re: Bow breaking strings
Post by: gringol on September 10, 2013, 09:23:00 AM
Great post, eric.  The nuggets on this site are amazing!
Title: Re: Bow breaking strings
Post by: rick7 on September 10, 2013, 06:24:00 PM
a ton of knowledge on this sight
Title: Re: Bow breaking strings
Post by: Caughtandhobble on September 10, 2013, 10:42:00 PM
Just a thought, check out where you hang the bow. The bow may be rubbing on something and wearing your string to the point of breaking. Don't ask how I came up with this one, lol.
Title: Re: Bow breaking strings
Post by: r-man on September 11, 2013, 10:41:00 AM
4 possibles, dry fire, bad string,dammage during transport or storage, or your cat likes to chew.
Title: Re: Bow breaking strings
Post by: jwhitetail on September 11, 2013, 11:32:00 AM
The only time I had one of my bows break a string, I experimenting with using arrows that were lighter than 8 gpi.  I have always made sure that I stay in the 9 to 11 gpi with that particular bow and I have never had an issue.  

As others have said, maybe that is your issue.

Good Luck.
Title: Re: Bow breaking strings
Post by: USMC0311 on September 11, 2013, 10:56:00 PM
I am shooting 680 grain arrows so I don't think they are to light. I hang the bow up and it sits on the brush button. When it is in transport I put it in my back seat. I don't know what is going on. I figure it has part to do with my draw length and the bow.
Title: Re: Bow breaking strings
Post by: **DONOTDELETE** on September 12, 2013, 08:37:00 AM
What type of string material?  Flemish or continuous loop?
Title: Re: Bow breaking strings
Post by: USMC0311 on September 13, 2013, 12:00:00 PM
Flemish twist fast flight
Title: Re: Bow breaking strings
Post by: Bud B. on September 13, 2013, 12:05:00 PM
Can you post a pic of the broken string? All pieces? Is it possible the string is coming untwisted?
Title: Re: Bow breaking strings
Post by: USMC0311 on September 13, 2013, 12:10:00 PM
I have a pick of an old one but I don't know how to post it on my phone. I keep forgetting to when I get to my computer. I will try to remember when I get home.
Title: Re: Bow breaking strings
Post by: LBR on September 13, 2013, 01:00:00 PM
Were all the strings made from the same spool of material?

Other than too few strands on the skinny ones, I'm stumped unless it was just a spool of faulty material.
Title: Re: Bow breaking strings
Post by: LBR on September 13, 2013, 01:01:00 PM
Was there a noticeable difference in how long a 10 strand lasted vs. a 12 strand vs. the 18 strand?
Title: Re: Bow breaking strings
Post by: USMC0311 on September 13, 2013, 03:33:00 PM
The 10 strand string lasted 5 shots. The 12 lasted 50 and the 18 lasted almost a year. The strings were made from different spools. Same material though
Title: Re: Bow breaking strings
Post by: LBR on September 13, 2013, 11:20:00 PM
The only material I know of that would do that consistently is Nitro Excellerant, and it's been off the market for several years.  It was a braid, some string makers really pushed it like it was great.  I tinkered with it a little, didn't like it from the get-go.

I don't know of a way the string could be constructed that could cause that...unless it was breaking where a serving ended?
Title: Re: Bow breaking strings
Post by: Lamey on September 14, 2013, 08:14:00 AM
go over your string notches,  even if you cant see or feel the issue, my bet is that's where it is located.
Title: Re: Bow breaking strings
Post by: USMC0311 on September 14, 2013, 08:56:00 AM
The strings are breaking below the notches. The string does not contact the limb where they are breaking. And again I forgot to post the pic. Trying to get things ready for my 10 day elk hunt.
Title: Re: Bow breaking strings
Post by: Caughtandhobble on September 14, 2013, 01:19:00 PM
QuoteOriginally posted by USMC0311:
I am shooting 680 grain arrows so I don't think they are to light. I hang the bow up and it sits on the brush button. When it is in transport I put it in my back seat. I don't know what is going on. I figure it has part to do with my draw length and the bow.
Is your brush button about 6" from the top of the string? I can almost guarantee it has something to do with where the bow spends some time, and nothing to do with shooting.
Title: Re: Bow breaking strings
Post by: crk on September 14, 2013, 06:52:00 PM
usmco,

I had the same thing happen when I was shooting a k mag, three fingers under, and crawling down the string a bit.Bow was tillerd for split, about a  quarter inch positive.I think I was stressing the bottom limb too much and messing up the bows dynamics. The string would break about six inches below the top nock.
Charley
Title: Re: Bow breaking strings
Post by: USMC0311 on September 14, 2013, 11:49:00 PM
I put this string on brand new. Shot 5 arrows and it broke. There was no brush  buttons on it at this point.

[URL=http://s1165.photobucket.com/user/kansas86/media/BROCK/bowstring_zps063b0b06.jpg.html] (http://i1165.photobucket.com/albums/q594/kansas86/BROCK/bowstring_zps063b0b06.jpg) (http://s1165.photobucket.com/user/kansas86/media/BROCK/bowstring_zps063b0b06.jpg.html)
Title: Re: Bow breaking strings
Post by: LBR on September 15, 2013, 12:37:00 AM
I'm going to guess uneven bundle tension and/or faulty material.
Title: Re: Bow breaking strings
Post by: LBR on September 15, 2013, 10:46:00 PM
Is there a reason you can't name the string material?
Title: Re: Bow breaking strings
Post by: Piratkey on September 16, 2013, 03:22:00 AM
Did you burn the strands who come off the string at the end of the finish string process ? I have see this before .