strings, string making, and string jigs (UPDATE)

[CalebNH00]

having started to make bows, I now need strings. so I was wondering what was the cheapest place to get b-50 string material? how do you make a flemish string jig? how d you make the strings period? can you use thread as serving or does it have to be actual serving? any help will be much appreciated.

(UPDATE) made a string jig!    
update, serving jig came in the mail     :D   !

pic of serving jig          

serving came   , now I just need some b-50     .

[LittleBen]

String Jig
http://tradgang.com/noncgi/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=2;t=000017
poorfolkbows.com for string making how to.

B-50 is cheap everywhere. $10.50 for 1/4# from 3 rivers. I'm sure others sponsors sell it as well.

You could serve with any decent thread, but it will likely be crap quality. Do yourself a favor and buy some serving material. And a serving jig.

Materials list:

1" x 4" x 4' pine board     - $4
Brads or nails              - $3
B-50                        - $10
Serving                     - $15 maybe
Serving jig(little spinner) - $10
String wax                  - $2-3

total ~$45. Thats enough to make a dozen or more strings I would think.

Personally I recommend using BCY D97 or 8125 and halo serving. It costs quite a bit more, but frankly it only costs a few dollars per string. I think I've made a dozen strings from a 1/4# roll of 8125 and I have alot left. Lots of serving left too.

As an aside, I found almost all of this information using very simple search queries in google. Everyone here is happy to help, but its better to ask questions like "can thread be used as a serving material" than "how do you make a flemish string jig". How to make a jig is something you can just search and lookup very quickly. You'll find that there are build alongs and how-tos on alot of these topics. I don't mean to be callus, I'm just saying shoot over to the how-tos, and warm up that search engine first.

Good luck.

[CalebNH00]

thanks Ben, for the quick reply and info. I've already got wax and nails and probably a board that I can use, so that's more like $35.

[razorback]

I second checking out Sam Harper at  www.poorfolkbows.com  I refresh the memory on his site every time I make strings. I have found his description very easy to follow.

[K. Mogensen]

Also, if you can get your hands on a copy of "Doin' the Twist", there's loads of good info in there. Great vid on string making, featuring a very notable string maker, Chad Weaver.

The other guy in there (I forget his name) also had some very good pointers, and I was able to mix the two methods to get my recipe which has been effective.

Though you've already made a jig, just for your gee wiz the only thing you really need to make a string is a spool of material, a knife or scissors, some means of measurement like a tape measure, and wax. Then you just need a server and serving material and you're golden.

[CalebNH00]

thanks guys, i ordered string and stuff last night.

[Roy from Pa]

Click the RMSgear sponsor add at the top of this page, then click tutorials and watch the Flemish string tute. Very good info, also do a search on you tube for Flemish strings, lots of them there.

[CalebNH00]

thanks roy, can't wait for the stuff to get here!  :D

[LittleBen]

Good luck, Making strings is pretty fun. Plus I can do it in the living room so I get less backlash from my GF than being on the porch working on a bow.

[CalebNH00]

eagerly awaiting the mail, won't it ever come!    

[CalebNH00]

no string stuff  :(

[Roy from Pa]

My string order came this morning. I have a ton of string material now, come on out Cale. LOL

[Red Tailed Hawk]

X3 Poor Folk Bows

[CalebNH00]

ha ha roy,still waiting    .

[Roy from Pa]

LOL, your material will be there today Caleb.. I promise:)

[CalebNH00]

wait, are you the shipper?

[CalebNH00]

serving jig came  :D  , but I can't use it till the rest of the stuff comes  

[Roy from Pa]

Well; I was half right and no I'm not the shipper.

[CalebNH00]

Oh, it's just that the shippers are all from PA.

[CalebNH00]

no string  in the mail  :(