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Ipe and Bamboo

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Rich Saffold:
Stan, These bows really don't fall into the historical category :D, so I don't worry about using flemish styles on these bows. Endless low twist strings made from modern materials are my favorite since you can get a whole lot more speed from your bow, and it will shoot sweeter as well.

Rich-

markinengland:
Personally I would not want to make another endless loop string. I find flemish strings so much easier.
I haven't got the trick of making double loop strings the right length so make single loop in linen or BYC450.
If the string is waxed and tied right there should be no slippage. I have to work hard to prise mine part to retie as with the wax they kind of weld themselves tegether.
When I did make endless loop strings I made a wooden jig. Serving is no problem with just a spool of serving thred. NO serving tool is needed.
Please post pics of the end result, not bits!
Best of luck.
Mark in England

backgardenbowyer:
Attempt to make an endless loop was a complete failure my temporary jig for holding the string didn't give enough tension for the serving tool which proved a complete nuiscance.  I'll stick with the 14 strand single loop I made earlier there are two extra strands in the laid in part for the timber hitch and lots of natural beeswas lets hope it works.  Leather now on the handle and gluing, just a bit more oil and wax needed in due course...

I'm using Dacron B50.  is it safe to use more modern materials and if so how many strands are needed?

Stan

Rich Saffold:
Stan, I know most folks use more, but on 70#'s I will use 10- 12 strands, usually of spectra or fast flight, or one of the other low stretch materials. B-50 stretches way too much to let these bows perform like they can. But if you make a ten strand endless and keep the twists in the string down under a dozen it will help.

markinengland:
Stan,
I have used BYC 450plus for string on Ipe longbows and it works well.
This has a strand strength of something like 115lbs so you don't "need" much in terms of strength. An 8 strand string would be more than strong enough for your bow.
I like the guide given in TBB which talks about bow weight at 15 inches times 10 (or similar, I have to look it up each time!). The other basic guide would be 4 times bow strength at full draw. Both of these give a string that is safe and durable for the bow.
As the modern materials are so strong I feel there can be a danger of the string really being too strong for the bow. If 16 strands or so are used the string would be strong enough for a 460lb bow. As many people with a 50lb bow may make such a string you can see how a string can be too strong, the equivalent of using a rope!
Mark in England

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