Having done a brief search and not having found anything better on making bow strings than the page below:
http://www.stickbow.com/stickbow/features/flemishstring/flemishstring.html
I thought that I would post some pictures of how I do it. It is pretty simple, but I have been asked about it quite often so please excuse if this seems overly basic.
Strings can be made of a wide range of materials, spectra (Fastflight), dacron (B50), linen, hemp, nettle, silk, gut, sinew, raw hide to name the most common. For use with wood bows Fastflight should be avoided, it is so strong that when using the normal number of strands, 12-14, it has esentially zero stretch and can damage bow limbs. For ease of use pre-waxed B50 Dacron is the best, a 1/4lb spool cost less than £10 and will make strings for at least 6 bows (I keep losing stings and not remembering how many I have :?: :roll: )
Next easiest is 3 strand linen thread similar to that used by cobblers and saddle makers. If you buy thread, carry out a break test to ensure that it is strong enough. The 3-strand linen I tested broke at 15lb so 14 strands makes a 210lb string, suitable for bows around 50lb draw.
Fibres need to be spun into threads, then twisted into cords to get the most strength, so making a (safe) nettle bow string will be a lot of work!
Using 12-14 strands of dacron will be suitable for bows up to about 55lb. If you have something stronger you probably know all you need already
Wind out two equal bunches of dacron equal to about 1 1/3 times the length of your bow.
The first thing to do is form the loop. Start the twist about 10 inches from the end.
And keep going till you have
Fold this in half and put the short tails with the long.
Start twisting
By cutting the short ends in a staggered manner you can taper down to the main string diameter.
The main string can be twisted a bit looser until you get down to the other end when you need to start twisting more tightly again.
This end too can be tapered. If you have any bee's wax you can taper down to nothing by heavily waxing the string.
Failing that you can tie a simple overhand knot to stop anything from unraveling.
It is usual to serve the area that the arrow is nocked to with a nylon or linen thread. The 3-strand linen mentioned at the start will also work for serving. Serving protects the main string from wear and can be replaced if it gets tatty.
Before starting to serve you NEED to stretch the string. This is particularly true for twisted strings. The easiest way is to put it on the bow, stretching by hand isn't enough. This stretching will reduce the diameter of the string quite noticeably.
You can start the serving with a constrictor knot, or a timber hitch, but I just lay the short end down and whip over the top. You probably want between 1.5 and 2 yards of serving thread. You can buy spool holders, but you don't really need them.
Carry on whipping, you probably will want at least 5" of serving, 2 inches above and 3 below where the arrow is expected to be nocked. When you get near the end of the serving you can finish like this.
If you have stuck with me this far, you have astounding stamina!!! :You_Rock_ I hope that it has been useful :roll:
http://www.stickbow.com/stickbow/features/flemishstring/flemishstring.html
I thought that I would post some pictures of how I do it. It is pretty simple, but I have been asked about it quite often so please excuse if this seems overly basic.
Strings can be made of a wide range of materials, spectra (Fastflight), dacron (B50), linen, hemp, nettle, silk, gut, sinew, raw hide to name the most common. For use with wood bows Fastflight should be avoided, it is so strong that when using the normal number of strands, 12-14, it has esentially zero stretch and can damage bow limbs. For ease of use pre-waxed B50 Dacron is the best, a 1/4lb spool cost less than £10 and will make strings for at least 6 bows (I keep losing stings and not remembering how many I have :?: :roll: )
Next easiest is 3 strand linen thread similar to that used by cobblers and saddle makers. If you buy thread, carry out a break test to ensure that it is strong enough. The 3-strand linen I tested broke at 15lb so 14 strands makes a 210lb string, suitable for bows around 50lb draw.
Fibres need to be spun into threads, then twisted into cords to get the most strength, so making a (safe) nettle bow string will be a lot of work!
Using 12-14 strands of dacron will be suitable for bows up to about 55lb. If you have something stronger you probably know all you need already
Wind out two equal bunches of dacron equal to about 1 1/3 times the length of your bow.
The first thing to do is form the loop. Start the twist about 10 inches from the end.
And keep going till you have
Fold this in half and put the short tails with the long.
Start twisting
By cutting the short ends in a staggered manner you can taper down to the main string diameter.
The main string can be twisted a bit looser until you get down to the other end when you need to start twisting more tightly again.
This end too can be tapered. If you have any bee's wax you can taper down to nothing by heavily waxing the string.
Failing that you can tie a simple overhand knot to stop anything from unraveling.
It is usual to serve the area that the arrow is nocked to with a nylon or linen thread. The 3-strand linen mentioned at the start will also work for serving. Serving protects the main string from wear and can be replaced if it gets tatty.
Before starting to serve you NEED to stretch the string. This is particularly true for twisted strings. The easiest way is to put it on the bow, stretching by hand isn't enough. This stretching will reduce the diameter of the string quite noticeably.
You can start the serving with a constrictor knot, or a timber hitch, but I just lay the short end down and whip over the top. You probably want between 1.5 and 2 yards of serving thread. You can buy spool holders, but you don't really need them.
Carry on whipping, you probably will want at least 5" of serving, 2 inches above and 3 below where the arrow is expected to be nocked. When you get near the end of the serving you can finish like this.
If you have stuck with me this far, you have astounding stamina!!! :You_Rock_ I hope that it has been useful :roll:
):
