'D' Loops

[DavidHudson]

Does anyone have instruction for both tying a 'D' Loop & more importantly good methods for locking it against it failing. Like melting a blob on the cut ends - glueing ( what glue?) etc. Someone suggested leaving the ends 1cm long & building a cusp of a suitable material, though they did not come up with a material suggestion!! Anyway I Think that would look well untidy!!
I have tied one tonight and pulled the bow over the peak but I don't feel too confident because the melted ends seem too small!!! Then again it is holding - but for how long???

Help
Dave H (UK Essex) Alias - Dave the Rave

[Erika]

get your husband to tie it and then let him draw the bow back first.

[Marcus26]

Gggrrrrrrr

Don't stress about it, it will hold. No need for glue or other materials.

[MikeD]

When you melt the ends you need to fray about 3/8" of the rope and burn that to get a resonable sized melted end. Also while the melted bit is still soft, press it against a hard surface to splay it out a bit more.

If you are in any doubt tie another one. It only takes a couple of minutes and is good practise.

A well tied D Loop is better than a punch in the teeth any day

[geoffretired]

One of the most secure methods is to make the d-loop from a loop of bow string.(imagine a short bowstring 1 1/2" long wound round two nails in a wood block. Tie the ends securely.Keep the loop open and fold it to look like a letter C. With the bow string horizontal, hang the folded loop over the string so the creases of the fold are on the string and the half loops hanging over each side. (rather like a saddle on a skinny horse) The two halves can be pulled together from below the string so the finished shape can be seen. To keep that shape the d-loop part needs to be served. Tie serving thread to the bow string just below the bottom part of the d-loop. Serve all the strands till you reach the upper end, and finish off by tying it again to the bowstring.
It helps to have the nocking point well placed and sturdy enough to resist any tendency for the loop ends to close in on each other.Serving is easier with a large eyed needle. It can only some off if the string breaks.The serving will show signs of wear long before that happens.
I will try to post pics if you think you want to use the idea.

[laminatekid]

this might be of some use http://www.dudleyarchery.info/articles/biissue34.pdf

[Fugue]

When I first put the D-Loop on I tighten the loop by using my bow scales, I hold the string in place with left hand (fingers above D-Loop, thumb below) and give the bow scales a few good pull's.

Once the bowscales are reading around 10 - 15lb above your peak weight you should be more confident it won't come of when you start shooting it.

Another tip to avoid failures is to check the melted area isn't brittle, if you melt the string for too long on some materials the ends become crumbly and can break up.

[DavidHudson]

Thanks everyone for your time & replies. I have tied my first 'D' loop and pulled it many times now and it is now very securely on that string!! So it works fine. Looks like I am home & dry!!

Thanks again all

[Stace]

Good luck with it David. I hope you don't end up having to pick your teeth up off the floor LOL

Get yourself some snap ring pliers to tighten your D loops - take away the threat of knuckle sandwich.