Do you make & fit your own strings?

[Watch_Man]

Do you make and fit your own strings?

If you are a compound archer perhaps you make and fit all your strings and cables or perhaps you buy them in from a specialist and fit them?

Is it worth the hassle making your own strings?

Do you think making your own strings gives you more control?

[TJ Mason]

I make my own recurve strings, and get better results than with shop-bought strings. I've not tried custom-made strings.

I don't make or fit my own compound strings though - leave that to the shop.

[SVL]

I make my own strings, club bow strings and on ocasion strings for clubmembers. I also teach club members how to make their own strings, the clubhas a string jig and all the bits you need to make a string.

Being able to make strings gives you more control and also allows you to test out different string set ups (e.g. length, strand numbers etc) at a reasonable cost.

[Mistake]

one of the club members in Radnor Foresters makes strings for me sometimes... but i really want to learn how to make them myself so i can experiment.

I also find that i shoot to a slightly better average and consitency level using strings that have been handmade, rather than shop brought ones, hence why i want to learn how to make my own

[Trunkles]

Recurve Archer - I buy my strings from a specialist but was reading Simon Needham's book last night and I am tempted to try making my own except for the initial startup costs/effort of sorting out a jig. Another one for the when I retire/win the lottery list.

[slartibartfast]

Home made strings for recurve and compound on a home made string jig.

Like SVL says you can try odd lengths and string thicknesses this not only give a technical advantage but also a phycological one too.

[darthter]

I bought my current recurve string from a specialist - SDM

Top notch string at a good price - saves the hassle of me doing it!!! (and it will be made a lot better as well!!!)

[Anna K]

Recurve - I made my own, and for the uni club and for others
Compound - Simon at CBA makes/fits for me

[geoffretired]

Making and fitting your own strings/ cables means you know more about the strings in question i.e. what length it is, what material, whether the serving fits your nocks and how tightly. If I was to buy them in, there would be some "unknowns" until after they were fitted.I am more independent that way, and there is satisfaction for me when I use home made things.

[grimsby archer]

recurve, longbow (flemish twist/braid, single and double loop) and compound

I make and fit all of the above for myself, club equipment and for others.

my own strings seem far superior to any commercially produced strings (modesty smiley needed) I have seen so far. Most "bought" strings seem poorly finished and lose their servings within a short time.
Like SVL, I also teach others to make all of the above types of string.

Benefits to making your own strings and cables, you know they are well made and you can play with the variables (materials, lengths etc) not to mention the substantial savings in price.