Hi Guys, when making an endless loop string...........when starting and finishing your wraps for the number of strands in the string.......where do you place the ends of the string? I'm thinking where the loops will be so they will be underneath the serving material and trapped there once the string is brought together to then start the serving in the middle. tnx

I learned to make endless loop strings from an article by C.R. Learn in the old Bow&Arrow magazine about 1970. His instructions were to tie the beginning and last strand ends together in a knot and then trim. Then he advised the string maker to work the string around the posts on the string jig a number of times in order to even the tension on all the strands. The only problem I've found doing it that way is that there is a knot that has to be served over, which sometimes isn't as easy as it might seem.  However, you definitely do get even tension on all strands and the string is full strength and lasts and lasts.

Most endless loop instructions have you tie off the beginning and ending strands and then serving the loops to prevent the strands from slipping. That works too, but the tension may not be even among all the strands.

In my experience endless loop strings done the second way and flemish twist strings frequently don't have equal tension on all strands.   Some more so than others.

Thanks Dan.

http://www.tradgang.com/endless/

Katman, thanks for the links. These will help a lot. Just what I needed. Cheers

katman;

In that info you posted the link to above - there is a portable version of a single arm string jig from that Texas Archery link. Link does not work. I've googled everything I could think of to maybe find a new link to it but came up with nothing. Even tried going to the Texas Archery web page independently but that also proved a no go.

Is there any chance you know more about it? tnx

klr, sorry no I don't
I built the one in Rob's plans. Works well.

I have 2 swinging 2 posts jigs that slide and lock in a section of unistrut. I lay out under tension starting with the first end tied to the post and tying the other end to the opposite post. Then loosen one jig to apply more tension and lock it back down. Serve both ends and cut the tag ends flush.

String then gets moved to a stretching jig where twists are applied and stretch to 150 lbs. for at least 1/2 hour. Then the loops are served together, length adjusted if needed, and stretched again at 200 lbs for another 1/2 hr minimum. 

Check length again and apply center serving. Strand tension is as even as it gets. While possible to match with flemish construction, it takes time and attention to detail to do so. JMO

QuoteI have 2 swinging 2 posts jigs that slide and lock in a section of unistrut. I lay out under tension starting with the first end tied to the post and tying the other end to the opposite post. Then loosen one jig to apply more tension and lock it back down. Serve both ends and cut the tag ends flush.

That's how I always made them also.

Does this method require two serving jigs? One for each end until the loops are closed?

For me it does.

Here ya go..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t1JS_kXXeVQ

Quote from: klr650Teach on September 21, 2018, 10:46:22 AM
Does this method require two serving jigs? One for each end until the loops are closed?

Not for me. I serve the end and do a whip tie finish.
When making the loop, I start down the string and work towards the loop.
For me it makes a much smoother transition.

Anyone care to comment on how many strands of B-50 dacron I should use for a bowstring for my Bear Minuteman, 30# draw and 66 inch length overall. From what I've dug up on line I was going to go with 14 strand but I'm wondering if 12 would not be sufficient?

12 is plenty.

Roy, in your vid link with New Sensei he suggests -3 inches off overall length for recurve string length. I thought the standard was -4 inches so for a bow of 66 inches the string should be 62 inches?

That sounds about right, but you will find that making your own strings is going to be trial and error for a while..

Your gonna have strings hanging all over the place.

LOL

Thanks for the encouragement! LOL   

According to AMO specs, the bow is SUPPOSED to be marked 3" longer than the "string master" (steel cable) that puts it in the proper brace height range.  Unfortunately there are lots of bows that aren't marked correctly.  Here's the specs.  Page 2 under "AMO Conventional Bow Length Standard".  http://www.outlab.it/doc/amostd.pdf