A string making question (well two actually :))

[Beardy]

When you are making strings do you tie the ends of the threads together before you serve the loops?

When you make two (or more) colour cables, do you tie the threads together or use some other method

How many twists would be considered to many on a finished string.

(oops, that's three, sorry )

[Mufti]

1) No, but I see no real reason why you can't ( a teeny tiny knot will have no effect).

2) Never done it, too worried about differing/inconsistent tensions between the two colours.

3) 20 odd seems to be the norm, but I find 30 (or more) gives me a better/sharper/snappier feel (more like a tightly wound spring rather than a loose floppy one). D75/Fastflight - that is, the thicker standed ones will demand fewer twists I suspect (don't want to overwind the spring!).

[pyroarch57]

Originally Posted by Beardy

When you are making strings do you tie the ends of the threads together before you serve the loops?

When you make two (or more) colour cables, do you tie the threads together or use some other method

How many twists would be considered to many on a finished string.

(oops, that's three, sorry )

I don`t like to see knots in a loop as in time they can start to look `scruffy`
I tie mine off at the ends of the initial end-loop serving then serve the tag ends over the entire length of endserving.

I keep colours seperate with tag ends at opposite ends of the jig.


Somewhere upwards of 50. For aesthetics 1.5-1.75 twists per 1" preferred for compound, maybe less on recurve.

[TJ Mason]

(1) String material doesn't hold knots (other than whip knots) very well, so I don't use them. Plus a knot can make a gap in the serving, since it's difficult to serve over. It's better to have the loose ends of thread held in place by the serving.

(2) No, don't tie the two colours together. Just make two separate loops of each colour, then twist them together before serving. So if you're making at 16 strand string of two colours, make an 8 strand string of each then push them together and twist.

(3) What's been suggested to me is that if the string starts to bunch up when it's off the bow, then there are too many twists in it. The string should retain its shape when it's off the bow. Seems reasonable.

[grimsby archer]

Originally Posted by TJ Mason

(1) String material doesn't hold knots (other than whip knots) very well, so I don't use them. Plus a knot can make a gap in the serving, since it's difficult to serve over. It's better to have the loose ends of thread held in place by the serving.

Doesnt that make it difficult to re-serve the string later, if the end loop serving gets warn out? Holding the loose ends in place whilst removing the old serving and then again whilst applying the new one, theres not enough to get hold of.

[King Custard]

agree with all said so far. in my tiny experience I prefer to use the strand ends to serve the end loops.
It sits better, finds the groove better, and fits into the 'groove serving' better....bonus - it's lighter than serving thread hence max speed limbs!
And no - none of them done like this have worn out on me yet.

I think from memory theres a desciption of how to do it on the Friskney site.

[phil_r_58]

I cross the two loose ends over each other, so they reverse direction as two " 1/2 loops". Then I weave the loose ends in and out of the other strands for a couple of inches, and the wax holds them in place

[TJ Mason]

Originally Posted by grimsby archer

Doesnt that make it difficult to re-serve the string later, if the end loop serving gets warn out? Holding the loose ends in place whilst removing the old serving and then again whilst applying the new one, theres not enough to get hold of.

The loose ends should run under the full length of the serving - only trim them after doing the serving. That way, there's plenty to get hold of. A whip knot (often used as a self-serving on compound cables) is secure, but a simpler knot wouldn't be secure while serving - they pull apart very easily.

[KevinH]

Originally Posted by TJ Mason

but a simpler knot wouldn't be secure while serving - they pull apart very easily.

I guess you didn't get your boy scouts knot badge then Tim
I use a simple reef knot to tie the ends together, I find this perfectly secure and it does not slip even when adding tension to the jig, but like any proper knot can be easily undone if you want to.

[harlequin]

Tim has the right idea on all counts in post #4

If the end serving wears out, don't try to re-serve, throw it away. The end serving would only wear on a poorly made string anyway.