Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: huntersteve on January 29, 2008, 09:08:39 am

Title: string fraying at the loops
Post by: huntersteve on January 29, 2008, 09:08:39 am

trouble with strings fraying

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a friend of mine has a 65# longbow that he asked me to make him a new string for.....I just started making my own strings about a month ago and needed the practice so I told him that I would....he gave me the original string that came with the bow when he bought it...it had broken not too long after he started shooting the bow....both loops were frayed very bad and one loop had broke....I made him another string with B-50 dacron....it's a Flemish Twist 16-strand made with 3 bundles......after shooting it about 50-100 shots it's already showing wear in the loops with 1 strand already broke....has anyone seen this happen before? any help or advice would be appreciated....Steve

Title: Re: string fraying at the loops
Post by: GregB on January 29, 2008, 09:16:53 am

I would think it had to be something to do with the bow. Are there any rough edges the string contacts with?

Title: Re: string fraying at the loops
Post by: Easternarcher on January 29, 2008, 09:22:14 am

maybe string grooves are too narrow and/or are cut at the wrong angle for proper movement???

Title: Re: string fraying at the loops
Post by: huntersteve on January 29, 2008, 10:40:03 am

I'm going to take another look at the string grooves when I can get the bow back from my friend....this is a "factory" built bow....I think it had 'Bushmaster" written on it...and ML- something on it also.....I'll take a look at it and see what I can find out....thanks for the help..Steve

Title: Re: string fraying at the loops
Post by: tom sawyer on January 29, 2008, 01:08:45 pm

That'd be a Martin longbow.  You might need to take a chainsaw file to the nocks to knock off any sharp corners.  Go easy, just round things up a bit.  Sounds like that is what is happening, it shouldn't be doing that.

Title: Re: string fraying at the loops
Post by: huntersteve on January 29, 2008, 07:07:46 pm

Thanks....I'll get the bow back from my friend and take a closer look at the grooves.....Steve

Title: Re: string fraying at the loops
Post by: Glenn R. on January 29, 2008, 09:21:30 pm

That happened to my 75# osage lam. longbow--groove angle a little abrupt. I made a new string and reinforced outside of b-50 loops with fast-flight. So far so good.

Title: Re: string fraying at the loops
Post by: BigWapiti on January 29, 2008, 10:50:42 pm

Another good thing to use following a round file is a burnisher to really smooth out the grooves and resulting corners.

Title: Re: string fraying at the loops
Post by: huntersteve on January 30, 2008, 12:17:12 am

thanks for the info.....I just got the bow back....the only thing I can see are maybe the edges of the phenolic tip overlay's may be a little sharp on the edges....I think I'll buff those down a little bit...make him a new string and see how that goes....thanks again...steve

Title: Re: string fraying at the loops
Post by: OldBow on January 30, 2008, 04:18:35 pm

With patience, you can salvage the string by serving it by hand.