Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: legend on August 18, 2017, 08:58:53 am
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Hello all ,
Just in the process of making my first bow , Greenhart Belly / Hickory Backing 68" Flatbow . I would like advice on what string to use to make a decent bow string ? How many strands per string and what actually determines this ?I have a 26 to 27 inch draw .
Thanks
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I like to use D-97, Fast Flight and other modern low stretch string material. The strand count will depend on what material you use. Plus, are you wanting a fat string with small serving or do you want a skinny string that will need double served?
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I use D97 also and I run 12 stranss any more. It makes for a fairly thin string but only needs kne layer of thick serving. And plenty strong for a 60-70# bow. Though I might pad the loops on bows in the heavier end of the spectrum.
Kyle
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I've used B-50 or B-55 for about 30 years and never had a problem with it. I use a 14 strands(2 bundle) Flemish twist string for bows over 45# and 12 strands for bows 45# and under.
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You are supposed to have 6 times the bow's draw weight in a bow strings breaking strength.
B-50 has a breaking strength of 50#, I think DF-97 breaks at around 125#. You can make skinny strings and be safe but then you have a bad nock to serving fit.
I use 12 strands of B-50 for some strings and 12 strands of DF-97 for others with .025 serving and get a good nock fit.
One other thing; you can really kill a bow's performance by going with too many strands of string material.
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14 strands of B-50 may be overkill for a 45# to 55# bow but in 30 years I've never had a bow string break and never realized my performance was down. I guess ignorance is bliss. ;)
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I use B-50. Jawge
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Hello All ,
First what is the difference between B50 / B55 /
And if I were to order a bow string online for the above bow which I,m making , do I order the length Tip to Tip or Nock to nock ? and what would be more appropriate Flemish or Continuous style string ?
Thanks
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I'll make you a Flemish twist string. Give me the exact length that you need. What colors do you like? You can PM me your address.
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There is probably very little difference between B-50 sand B-55. The B-55 may be a bit thinner. I've even mixed the two because it's what I had and the colors I wanted.
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I've used B-50 and B-55. When I bought B-55, it was labeled B-55 Polyester, when I bought the roll of B-50 I have its label says B-50 Dacron. I don't know what the difference is but I haven't noticed a difference in performance. As for the Flemish or continuous style string, there are a lot of opinions out there about that subject, I personally make the continuous style string, otherwise known as the endless string, because its the only string I know how to build, I haven't taken the time to teach myself how to make a Flemish string. As for shooting them, I haven't noticed a difference other than with a Flemish string you can twist or untwist the string to raise or lower the brace height of your bow, which can help with tuning your bow for good arrow flight and to make your bow quieter (a concern if you're hunting with your bow). I've fiddled with that twisting and untwisting to find that sweet spot before but once again, I haven't really noticed a significant difference, so either string works for me, I just use the endless because that's what I can make. An endless or continuous style string is not difficult to make, I learned how to make one from the chapter on bowstrings in Traditional Bowyers' Bible volume II. I've also used linen to make an endless string and it worked well. Hope this helps.
Aaron
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Aaron, Dacron is a polyester.
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What Eric Krewson said. I use 12 strands of D97.
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Thanks very much Guys
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I use 9 strand fast flite with good results.i make a rope and serve and back splice the loops.
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Never heard 6 times the draw weight before. Apparently, it says 4 times the draw weight in TBB2. I asked my physics teacher and he said 1.5-2 times the draw weight should hold, but if it got any nick or imperfection it would break. I've done 3 times the draw weight and shot several hundred shots without it breaking. I would say, yes if you want your string to never break 6 times would be good. If you want to maximize performance by reducing weight but also risk breaking, 4 or even 3 would be better.
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2x draw weight, maybe on a flight bow.
On a hunting bow, 100% reliability trumps maximum FPS any day in my book.
Anyway, to chime in, I've used b-50, but I prefer the fast flight type materials. I use BCY8125, but for no other reason than I got a good deal. I'm sure all the fast flight materials are excellent. The main problem with b-50 is the stretch makes tillering a lot more difficult IMO. with fast flight it's no problem to low brace a bow and have the brace height precisely maintained. B-50 just stretches and stretches.
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Not if you take the stretch out....;) A piece of folded over leather and some elbow grease :)
Dyneema is the best though.
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I read of a test somebody did with a scale on the string to test the tension inder brace and the drae cycle. Something it showed, was that the bows that were consistently faster than the others were putting about 2x the draw weight as string tension. Then while drawn the tension would drop until about half draw, the. Start picking up again but doesn't quite reah the same tension as brace.
So to comfortably brace the bow you need 2X minimun, but then there is the shock and momentum of going through the draw cycle. I think I've always done a conservative 4x. By that I mean that I use a lower than tru breaking strength when I figure how many strands are needed. With dynema, only a couple of strands are needed, but is just nowhere neat thick enough to get the job done properly.
Kyle