Flemish twist tricks/tips...

AKmud · February 15, 2011, 05:52:00 PM

I've been twisting up strings for a while now, but I have always struggled with making the taper clean. Seems like there are always strands that don't want to lay down correctly and end up frizzing out. I usually trim the ends down and burn them but they still don't finish up as cleanly as I would like.

What tricks do you veteran string twisters use to make a really clean finished taper??

PEARL DRUMS · February 15, 2011, 06:23:00 PM

I dont know that there is one? I started making my strands all the same length to stop the tag end fray you speak of. It doesnt hurt a thing, just doesnt look purdy!

Roy from Pa · February 15, 2011, 06:27:00 PM

Wax the heck out of it and those tags ends will lay right down. Burnt the tag ends once, never again, all they did was melt and look like crap.

George Tsoukalas · February 15, 2011, 06:49:00 PM

Tags are a fact of life with the Flemish twist. Yo aren't doing anything wrong. Jawge

frank bullitt · February 15, 2011, 07:12:00 PM

I agree with George, this is the norm!

As the string settles from stretch and shooting, the ends will fuzz and stick out from the shock of shooting.

I'm not a big fan of using flame, heat to burn the ends! Just as leaving a bow strung in a hot place!

Rob, are you one of those "perfectionist" types?

Art B · February 15, 2011, 07:25:00 PM

What all the others said!

Fingernail clippers will take care of those loose ends. Better have some really shape ones for the FF materials......Art

REBbowhunter · February 15, 2011, 08:16:00 PM

I used to worry about them when I first started making strings,
Tried burning and cutting.Now I just leave them be.

broketooth · February 15, 2011, 08:26:00 PM

ive only made 3 strings , my third is my best yet. i dont have a flemish string jig just add 18 " to the length you need and 2 nails on a board. its a primitive flemish string for sure and functions just fine no issues yet . im satisfied. ruddy

D · February 15, 2011, 08:58:00 PM

I've just started making my own strings and have only used the B-50 material. I have a ball of straight bees wax. Its more sticky than regualar string wax. I've had no problem withe the ends even wanting to come loose but I haven't shot them a lot either, so it might fly all to crap later. I got the wax from an art teacher in highschool and I've managed to hold on to it for eleven years now. It works great fot the tips so far. I looked for some of it at hobby lobby but the bees wax there was way harder than what I've got. Mine is soft enough that I can form mine and shape it with my hand. I ran each strand through the ball and it all sticks together really well.

hova · February 15, 2011, 09:12:00 PM

my tag ends get a little dab of very thin epoxy. i didnt like burning it...

SEMO_HUNTER · February 15, 2011, 11:28:00 PM

I don't worry about those little tags sticking out, just be sure and stagger your strands like you should on the jig so each one is a tad bit shorter. Then practice braiding your ends down into the string as far as you possibly can, don't stop short or you will have more sticking out.

I actually think they add to the traditional look of a Flemish twist string myself. That's one of the characteristics about making my own strings that I like. Pair it up with a set of natural beaver silencers and your rockin!

KochNE · February 15, 2011, 11:57:00 PM

Lots & Lots of Bohning Tex-Tite bowstring wax throughout the twisting and then another good coating once I'm finished & before every shooting session. My first string I didn't have the wax and couldn't even get the FastFlight to stay twisted together worth a darn. With the wax, I haven't had a single loose end/ fuzz/ etc.

Red Tailed Hawk · February 16, 2011, 12:31:00 AM

Tags are just part of the flemish string makeup, just think of them as mini silencers.

AKmud · February 16, 2011, 12:55:00 AM

Ok, I'm convinced...I'll let them live.

I have seen some strings on here that are so clean you can barely tell where the taper ends. I guess I'll just wax the tar out of them and make 'em sticky.

oldbohntr · February 16, 2011, 02:46:00 AM

Been making strings with those tag ends sticking out forever - after the strings a week or two old, I sometimes trim any that are 1/4" or so with a razor blade knife(haven't cut a string yet, but the nail clippers are a decent idea). After that I don't pay any attention to them at all.

If someone else cares about how my strings look, they really need help!

T Folts · February 16, 2011, 07:13:00 AM

To hide the tags after I trim load the area up with wax and take a piece of leather and rub in the wax real hard and fast, the leather will heat up the wax and set it in giving a nice clean look.

cyred4d · February 16, 2011, 10:11:00 AM

Agree that tag ends are just part of making a string. I always trim them because I think it makes the bow shoot better.

Loren Holland · February 16, 2011, 11:01:00 AM

i just serve it over the tags, and never worry about it again. it fixes the aesthetics, is durable, and if i lose a 1fps oh well.

SEMO_HUNTER · February 16, 2011, 11:11:00 AM

QuoteOriginally posted by Loren Holland:
i just serve it over the tags, and never worry about it again. it fixes the aesthetics, is durable, and if i lose a 1fps oh well.

I have also served over them on a few of my first ones because I wasn't real sure of my twisting abilities yet and I wanted to make sure they didn't slip. I don't think it hurts anything at all if a guy doesn't mind using up some of that high dollar serving thread. That braided stuff I use is outrageously expensive! I use it very sparingly nowadays. :eek: