Flemish String Making Question

[Mel Amos]

Ordered some D97 and plan on making some flemish strings.  My question is on the how to resource page there is a flemish string jig diagram.

http://www.tradgang.com/stuff_bin/stringjig.jpg

My bow is 56" do I use the 56 mark or will that make my string to long?

Thanks
Mel

[LBR]

Not sure, but that one looks to be based on bow length, not string length, which makes getting the right length a shot in the dark--I've seen string lengths vary from 1.5" to 6" shorter than the bow length.  I prefer a jig that goes in one inch increments instead of two inch increments.....but I'm picky about strings.

Chad

[grouseshooter002]

Mel,
  You will want a 52" string if the bow is a recurve and a 53" string if it is a longbow. I would measure the existing string and deduct the appropriate amount. Just remember as a rule of thumb 4" for recurves and 3" for longbows. Hope this helps.

Rick

[moebow]

Mel,  You don't really need a jig to make a flemish string.  For your first try, just cut each bundle 20 inches longer than your desired final string length.  Then start your first loop ten inches in from the end.  That will leave ten inches for the other end loop.  I can't recommend "Doin' the Twist" for all beginning string makers ( I have NOTHING to do with it, just think it's the best string making DVD going!!!)

[moebow]

OOPPPPS  That's I can't recommend "Doin' the Twist" STRONGLY ENOUGH for all beginning string makers.  I hate when that happens!

[koger]

I have the Twist dvd, but at twin oaks 2 weeks ago a friend showed me how to make and almost fool proof flemish string. I lay a strand along the back of the bow, side towards me when holding it, follow the contours loosely and when you get to the end of the limb, allow a hand width, four fingers, dont include thumb, past the end of the limb on each end, and then cut 2 bundles, back off 10 inches and twist your loop on each end accordingly. I did my first one and it was just  a little too long on lmy first try, gave it 10 twist and strung my bow with it to get the stretch out and when stretched it came out right on the money. Have made 2 more since then and they came out right too.

[LBR]

Moebow, thanks!  (I think?--lol)

A string board isn't required for making a flemish string (as Joe demonstrates in "Doin' the Twist"), but it's handy if you make many strings, especially if the lengths vary.

The old rule of thumb is 3" shorter for a longbow, 4" shorter for a recurve...and AMO/ATA says 3" shorter for any bow....but not all bows follows ATA or the rule of thumb, and some won't work the way Koger described.  That's why I suggest a board that goes by actual string length rather than bow length.  You find out what length string you need, put the peg in the appropriate hole, and make the string--about as easy as it gets.

Chad

[Mel Amos]

Thanks all.  I tried making one and when strung it is starting to untwist, so I took it off.  Maybe I need the video.

Mel

[Jeff Strubberg]

Mel,

That usually means you did the loops in opposite directions.  You did put twist in the string between the loops, right?

[frank bullitt]

Mel, confused? You probably twisted the string in the wrong direction, try yhe other way. If not sure, hook one end and pull hard it won't take much pressure to untwist if you twisted in the wrong direction. Also, as Chad says , alot of different string lengths including a highly reflexed straight bow can be 2" shorter!  thats why the cll them Custom!

[Rob DiStefano]

Originally posted by Mel Amos:
Thanks all.  I tried making one and when strung it is starting to untwist, so I took it off.  Maybe I need the video.

Mel

yes, it's well worth it to just get chad's video and learn the right way, the only way to twist up a flemish string.  you'll be referring to it quite a bit, in the beginning.

as to flemish string "jigs", they're next to useless *unless* you use one constantly and the jig "learns" how you twist, and how you'll arrive at a particular string length.  

after learning to twist up correctly, that's the real issue with flemish twisting noobs - creating twin loop flemish strings that'll achieve an optimum brace height with yer bow.  

within the next few weeks i'll post a video about spinning endless loop bowstrings ........

[Mel Amos]

Jeff,

I put some twists in the strings but I'm not sure if I got enough since you said that.

I twist away and over.  Is that correct?

Mel

[Mel Amos]

Ok.  I think I got it that time.  I watched the video on Youtube from wilderness outfitters archery.
Looks good.

I see some strings are wrapped in, looks like,yarn at the ends were the string slaps the limb on my recurve.  Is that right?  How is that done?

Mel

[longshadow]

Hey guys, does anyone have a diagram for a flemish string jig that measures strings by sting length not bow length. Most that I have seen on the internet is by bow length. Any help would be appreciated...
Thanks, Al