What am I doing wrong?? I just started shooting trad back in February and have now had my second flemish string start unraveling. One was purchased from 3 Rivers, and this second one was a Lazer brand. I put both strings on, twisted them to the appropriate brace height and started shooting. Both strings started unraveling after only a few practice sessions. I have tried to braid the ends back into the string, but have had limited success(I don't really know what I'm doing). Is this uncommon? I have one string that I ordered from LBR(Chad) for my longbow that has no problems and I am about to order one for my recurve from him BUT, is there something that I may be doing to cause this??
I really like the look of the flemish strings, but if this is commonplace, I'm gonna go back to endless loop style.
The only time I've had a flemish splice string come loose on me was when I untwisted it too much. :scared: The string needs twist to hold it together. I like to see about one twist per inch and no less than one in two.
I agree with fletcher the only reason would be is the string was untwisted too much I believe there are a couple of threads on this site on how too make a flemish string and also a number of sponsers that sell excellent flemish strings. If you would like to know the ones I have had expeience with pm me and I'll give you all the details Delin
Flecther is right put some twist in the string and you won't have a problems unless there was some minor nices in the string material when it was put together.I did have that problem early this year.I've been making string for quite a few years and I'm not afraid to put twist in them and good waxing also helps including loops.
Are you sure they are unraveling? It's not uncommon, since the strands on a flemish are of different lengths, to see some ends come loose after bracing and shooting the bow. To a new person, this may seem like the string is unraveling. I handle this on the strings I make by trimming the strands flush before bracing the bow. When you brace the bow, the strands will pull into the bundle making for a less scraggly looking string.
Dave in Ft. Collins, CO
Sounds like you just have a few tag ends popping out--that happens. If that's the case, and they bother you, you can use nail clippers to trim them off if they are dacron. If they are a different material, you can (CAREFULLY) trim them off with an x-acto knife. Nail clippers won't usually cleanly cut the stronger materials.
Chad
How long can they be before I should be concerned? I have tucked/braided them back into the string as best I can, but if they pop out again, should I be concerned if they are over 1/4", 1/2", or more?
It's not likely, but there's a possibility the loops are slipping. I've seen some really poorly made strings that still held up fine (including some of my first attempts)--only saw one that actually had the loops slip (wasn't mine).
It's hard to say without actually seeing the strings. If they have a very short marriage (where the ends come back into the string to form the loop), it could be a reason for concern.
Chad
say, this is a little off topic, but could one of yall give me a link to the flemish string building thread...
its probabbly nothing major, when mine started doin that i didnt know any better and didnt think anything about it, still works fine, but i usually replace my strings when they look fuzzy all over (it took a long time shooting one to make it look likr that though...).. just my two cents worth..
If it's a fast flight string looking fuzzy it's nothing to be concerned about. A little wax doesn't hurt anyway.
on the unraveling question, I think the guys got it right it's just the tag ends, I sometimes use a lighter to burn them back a little. If your brace height was getting lower as well then unraveling may be it.
Ron
Thanks for the replies. I'll trim back any loose ends and keep an eye on them for any further unraveling.
Here's a how-to.
http://www3.sympatico.ca/ragiwarmbear/diy/flemish/flemish.html
Dennis