Wool Yarn Silencers

Basstar · December 13, 2015, 05:48:00 PM

I bought some wool yarn and tied up two silencers for my longbow. I installed them between the split string and everything seemed OK.

But, the yarn threads are coming out as I shoot so evidently I did something wrong.

Ideas?

Thanks

BAK · December 13, 2015, 05:58:00 PM

It depends, not seeing exactly what you did and how you did it. I can tell you I've had much better durability out of acrylic yarns than the wool.

DanielB89 · December 13, 2015, 06:05:00 PM

I use both. This may sound a little subjective, but when you're buying yarn, buy th yarn that seems the tightest woven. I have had some yarn before(acrylic) and when you shoot, it would fill the whole room.

I don't know if wool or acrylic matters as much as how tight it is twisted.

December 13, 2015, 06:25:00 PM

how many strands of yarn do you have between the strings? I wrap around something about 60-65 times and cut on each end and slip between string. that makes about 30 -35 strands ( a good tight ball after its shot in) bigger than a golfball but smaller than a tennisball. some will fly off when shooting in.

Basstar · December 13, 2015, 06:27:00 PM

Thanks. I will continue to shoot them in to see what happens. I may not have tied the ball tightly enough.

TealCoin · December 13, 2015, 06:42:00 PM

QuoteOriginally posted by Basstar:
Thanks. I will continue to shoot them in to see what happens. I may not have tied the ball tightly enough.

Just out of curiosity, what is the diameter of "something"? I recently installed wool silencers (splitting strands installing and cutting after bow is strung). I did 8 wraps around my 4 fingers about mid finger/large knuckle.

December 14, 2015, 06:37:00 AM

the something can be anything, just so I get about 4-5 in. of yarn so I can trim down after installing. the yarn im using is not the super thick stuff, so with that you wouldn't need as many wraps.

mlsthmpsn · December 14, 2015, 09:15:00 AM

QuoteOriginally posted by TealCoin:
Just out of curiosity, what is the diameter of "something"? I recently installed wool silencers (splitting strands installing and cutting after bow is strung). I did 8 wraps around my 4 fingers about mid finger/large knuckle.

I did 25 wraps around 3 fingers with 100% wool yarn. Then cut the loops on each side, installed on loose string, twisted it up and strung it.

After several plucks, it made a tight puff about the size of a blue racketball.

FerretWYO · December 14, 2015, 10:13:00 AM

Heavy wax your string up too.

Bud B. · December 14, 2015, 10:28:00 AM

Answer *

Two Tracks string scallops

Cryogenic · December 14, 2015, 10:46:00 AM

I do the sane as arrow30's instructions, but I tie the center of the bundle with serving material, clip the loops on either end of the bundle, and then install it into my bow string. Shoot it a few times and use scissors to trim the yarn to a round shape.

20 to 25 wraps around a credit card is about all I need.

December 14, 2015, 10:51:00 AM

I use my 4 fingers as "something" to wrap around, and with the yarn I use, 40 wraps makes a good finished puff. How many wraps is dependent on how thick the yarn is. I also tie the center with a piece of serving. I install in the string before cutting the loops.

Bisch

LongbowArchitect · December 14, 2015, 11:40:00 AM

"I also tie the center with a piece of serving. I install in the string before cutting the loops."
x2

mangonboat · December 14, 2015, 01:15:00 PM

I was also having the fly-away problem with coarse, natural wool yarn. I've had much better results with sock yarn, pretty fine stuff, 50/50 merino wool/acrylic, and I use about 25' of yarn for each puff. I prefer the "fender washers" technique and tie the bundles directly to the string with a double clinch knot.

Stumpkiller · December 14, 2015, 02:33:00 PM

I use wool that my wife spins from our sheep.

When I make up a string silencer I make 30 wraps around a cardboard pattern (3" wide piece) and before I slit the ends to make the individual threads I whip the center (where the bowstring will touch) VERY tightly with rug thread or a strand of an old bowstring. This holds the threads together and also makes for a rounder puff because it flares the fibers out.

You also want to make sure when sliding it into the bowstring you have seperated the string into halves. Wax well above and below and twist it up tightly and take a few shots to set it. Then back off as needed to your brace height. You'll probably have to adjust it a few times before it stays while the string settles in.

Before

After

Tradcat · December 14, 2015, 06:51:00 PM

I second the two tracks string scallops

Stump73 · December 14, 2015, 11:04:00 PM

I do like arrow30 also but I use my drivers license and use the narrow side to wrap. I wrap 11 times and then slide it off the card and slide between the unstrung string right in the middle. Then I even bothsides up. String up the bow with the yarn even on both sidesof the string I cut the loops. Then the fun part watch it puff out after every shot. They come out to be the size of a golf ball.

bluemoonrising · December 15, 2015, 09:21:00 AM

Yep--Two Tracks string scallops are so easy to install and work so well, also.

December 15, 2015, 09:31:00 AM

QuoteOriginally posted by Stumpkiller:
[QB] I use wool that my wife spins from our sheep.
]

Dang, now that is traditional right there!!!

Bisch

Covey · December 16, 2015, 04:33:00 PM

It always helps to untwist your string when putting in yarn silencers. When done, brace your bow and your good to go.