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Main Boards => The Bowyer's Bench => Topic started by: CalebNH00 on April 02, 2013, 03:08:00 PM

Title: different types of strings
Post by: CalebNH00 on April 02, 2013, 03:08:00 PM
I was thinking about making a different type of string, where you wrap all the strands at the same time. Next, you fold down the string to the string loop size you want. Then you serve the ends together. Sound reasonable?
Title: Re: different types of strings
Post by: Razorbak on April 02, 2013, 03:19:00 PM
sounds like a endless to me..very doable..where in the state are yah?
Title: Re: different types of strings
Post by: dfrois on April 03, 2013, 09:24:00 AM
I don't quite understand your concept. I have made Flemish and endless loop strings, but this seems different. Perhaps you could draw a sketch to help us understand what you mean?

DF
Title: Re: different types of strings
Post by: John Scifres on April 03, 2013, 10:05:00 AM
How many Flemish or endless loop strings have you made?  Why reinvent the wheel?
Title: Re: different types of strings
Post by: CalebNH00 on April 03, 2013, 03:23:00 PM
John: not too many, and I just was trying to find a simpler way to make strings.
Dfrois: Here is a sketch.
(http://i.imgur.com/jLk4ERw.jpg)
Title: Re: different types of strings
Post by: Roy from Pa on April 03, 2013, 04:24:00 PM
I think you better make them like we all do:) The way you show, it's going to pull apart.
Title: Re: different types of strings
Post by: CalebNH00 on April 03, 2013, 05:35:00 PM
Yes, but you must admit that my hand writing is spectacular:).
Title: Re: different types of strings
Post by: Roy from Pa on April 03, 2013, 06:12:00 PM
Best I've ever seen...   :thumbsup:
Title: Re: different types of strings
Post by: John Scifres on April 03, 2013, 07:23:00 PM
Flemish strings get much easier after you make a few.  I always found endless to be a pain though.
Title: Re: different types of strings
Post by: dfrois on April 04, 2013, 06:29:00 AM
If I understand this correctly, I think Roy is right: that is going to pull apart. The only thing holding one of the sides of the loop is the friction of the bundle on the other side of the bundle, and that friction is only due to the tightening of the serving. It is not enough.

For argument's sake, if I *had* to make a string like that, I would make it 3 or 5 times the required length, then fold it in 3, or 5, and use the bends at the end as part of the loops. That way, some of the stress would not be supported just by friction, and it just might hold...but even so, you would either have to use many strands, or it would fall apart slowly after several shots. Remember, the string suffers severe vibration and rapid stress variation, and it will shake itself loose given the slightest chance...And it is dangerous to break one.

Overall, I`m with John: why bother? String making gets a *lot* easier with practice, and quicker and better too. A cheap serving jig also helped me tremendously, both in diminished effort and faster job completion. I'd stick with the standard types...just my opinion. However, if you decide to persevere with this, best of luck, and keep us posted on your findings. Who knows? you might be on to something!

DF
Title: Re: different types of strings
Post by: fujimo on April 04, 2013, 09:22:00 AM
this may be an obvious question, but does the flemish work well with the more hi-tech /less stretch strings?
Title: Re: different types of strings
Post by: Echatham on April 04, 2013, 09:52:00 AM
yup
Title: Re: different types of strings
Post by: LittleBen on April 04, 2013, 11:13:00 AM
I highly recommend against this. It's conceivable possible it will work but with well demonstrated methods liek endless loop and flemixh twist why reinvent the wheel.

I believe in rope making for boats and such the method you're talking about (w4rapping the loop with a serving) is called whipping. But marine ropes are not undergoing these extremely high stresses of a bow string. Even with standard ropes its preferable to weave the end back in to make a loop similarly to flemish twisting.
Title: Re: different types of strings
Post by: Pat B on April 04, 2013, 11:16:00 AM
Flemish twist strings are the original bow strings that were made with natural materials like linen, etc. That is all I make and I only use B-50 string material.
Title: Re: different types of strings
Post by: Roy from Pa on April 04, 2013, 12:51:00 PM
Pat, your just too old fashion..    :biglaugh:
Title: Re: different types of strings
Post by: Pat B on April 04, 2013, 01:03:00 PM
Thank goodness, Roy.
Title: Re: different types of strings
Post by: CalebNH00 on April 04, 2013, 01:19:00 PM
Like I said, it was just speculation.
Title: Re: different types of strings
Post by: Roy from Pa on April 04, 2013, 02:49:00 PM
Yupper Pat.

Well get that speculation stuff outta yer head and make ah flemish twist string. They are easy to make.
Title: Re: different types of strings
Post by: CalebNH00 on April 05, 2013, 10:25:00 AM
Ah Roy, this is an actual design    :D . it's mentioned in the TBB2, although it says that you glue them together first, then serve.
Title: Re: different types of strings
Post by: spider1 on April 05, 2013, 11:41:00 AM
I guess it would depend on how tight you serve it. I bet it would hold for a while, but if and when it lets go... duck! I personally wouldn't use a loop served that way just cuz Roy said so but heck, he help learn me how ta twist up a string and I've been doing it ever since! Doesn't take long to learn and you can twist up a couple in an hour while watching tv or sitting on the back deck! Heck, even a bowyers knot (aka, a timber hitch) would be better than just serving up a loop.
Title: Re: different types of strings
Post by: Roy from Pa on April 05, 2013, 11:54:00 AM
Well look at what the cat drug in? How ya doing, Mike
Title: Re: different types of strings
Post by: spider1 on April 05, 2013, 12:22:00 PM
lol! Hi Roy. Got bored with the fishing sites now that the ice is gone and figured I'd stop in and see who made it through the winter. I'll send ya a PM.