how do you do it? ive already got the jest of doing a proper flemish twist string for my bow how do you apply the center serving. i know osage tree did a tutorial on it one time but i cant find it. ruddy

Three rivers archery has a video clip showing how on there web site.

I made a serving jig/bobbin out of a stiff coat hanger.  Look at 3 rivers for serving jigs to get the concept.  Whip finish both ends and wrap tight and  even al the way.  Thats about all I know. I'm sure someone will help more.

i found some information and gave it a go. im happy to say i have just built my first complete string its a 14 strand b-50 string with a #4 brownell senter serving. this was my 3rd attempt at building a string correctly. i dont think i did to bad. do they make a bigger serving than #4, my nocks on my cedars are a little loose and this is a fairly new arrow. ruddy

Personally I like the Brownell Braided serving, Ruddy (you've seen it on my strings). (I've also used the Halo but am not a big fan, though some folks love it.) The Braided comes only in Black and white but has three sizes - .018, .021, & .025. I use the .021 mostly but, when you can, it's nice to have all three on hand or at least the top two. I'll show you how to do a center serving (and an easy way to whip it off at the end) next time we get together. It's great to have a serving jig if you can but you can run the string from the spool through the center of a book (for tension) on the floor or table and do it by hand (jig is much easier and usually quicker). Oh, you can also "Double serve" it if your nocks are too loose (more stuff to go wrong though - LOL)

I use this.  Little Spinner.

I back serve the ends.

John, that's what I use but I haven't mastered the spin trick yet.

I use the older style jig but I spin it (more or less) anyway - except at the ends.

Crown serving is my favorite. Halo is Ok but both expensive. The .018 works very well for either a 12 or 14 strand string. Just serve a little loose for the 12 and somewhat tight for the 14 strand string.......Art

Seems all string/serving materials are expensive at purchase/replacement time (to my wallet at least) but a (small) spool of serving material, or a 1/4 # spool of string material give pretty good service for personal (and some friends) use, for the money, when you come right down to it. Especially the way prices are these days.

Suggestion - watch the "trading blankets" at shoots and the classifieds here. Often you can pick up supply "nuggets" at a bargain price when folks tire of making strings, or order something they later don't care for.

I use the back serving method Ruddy and braided serving. The braided serving cost a bit more, but I've found that it's well worth it when it comes to durability. I put the braided serving on my 2 nephews kids bows and they haven't managed to tear it up yet......so that's a true testament right there.

Here's the video that I first used to learn the proper way of serving and I haven't had one come lose yet.
Link-->  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2MfjJtX-8pA

One thing I don't see a need for is splitting the bundles apart and running the serving through to get started. Aids perhaps to get the serving started but other then that I don't see a need for this procedure. My beginning end pretty much finishes up like the other end. With one exception though, I have no end of serving to burn down when I start out, it's covered with the serving itself.......Art

thats how i did mine art. ruddy

I've never had one come apart doing it that way Ruddy. You think about it, if the bottom end doesn't come loose, then the beginning end won't either because both ends are pretty much restricted the same way...Art

My serving ends basically the same as in the video but I use a seperate loop of thread, serve over it for the last 6 or 8 turns, stick the tag in the loop and pull it back through under tha serving. I think it is called a nail knot.

When you make your next string to make the nocks fit tighter just add a couple more short strands of b-50 where your serving.
Ron

I have served with every type of material out there, and still don't understand why folks use the "expensive stuff" on dacron!

#4 nylon, works just fine, and if it's a wear issue, just reserve! Using serving such as Halo, will outwear the string 10 times over!

And if your wearing out, nylon serving in a short time, you have other issues, shooting. To tight nock, severe string slap, and such!

Or maybe, you have alot of money to throw away.