How to build a 12 strand 2 bundle flemish string

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Jeffro
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How to build a 12 strand 2 bundle flemish string

#1 Post by Jeffro » Sun Jul 26, 2009 7:06 pm

This method needs no string jig just one or 2 rolls of string material,a sharp knife and some string wax.

There are various ways of doing a string and this is just one of them.They can have more or less strands and more or less packing.They can have 3 bundles or 2,you could have 4 if you want.


I will be making this string for a 60" recurve bow but whatever the AMO length of the bow you want a string for-add 13 inches to that so in my case it will be 60 +13 = 73 inches.If a 68" longbow make them 81" you get the drift.


Cut 6 strands of dynaflight b97 all the same at 73"(or whatever your length needs to be)
Then choose another color(it can be the same but easier first up if you have different colors)and cut 6 strands at 73"

Personally I prefer 3 bundle strings but these are much quicker and easier to make.

So you will now have 6 lengths of one color and 6 of another.

Now cut 4 10" lengths of each color for the loop packing.

Then proceed to put the strands together for the first bundle like the picture shows.The left hand side is the end of the strands
Image

once you have put your two bundles together and waxed them a bit so they stick together put the two bundles next to each other like this.
You dont have to stagger them but the end result is a neater and more gradual taper if you do.
Image
Image
I am left handed so you will need to adapt these instructions for being right handed.
Next grab the strings with your thumb and finger at the 7" point
Image
like this
Image
Last edited by Jeffro on Sun Aug 09, 2009 7:54 am, edited 2 times in total.

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Re: How to build a B97 12 strand 2 bundle flemish string

#2 Post by Jeffro » Sun Jul 26, 2009 7:12 pm

then you need to twist and roll the bundles together.
notice the white bundle has been twisted in a clockwise direction
Image
so you twist away from you and then roll it back towards yourself like this
Image
continue doing exactly that with the other bundle and then keep on going the same way
Image
try to keep it tight and twist and roll until you have about 4" inches of twisted bundles to look something like this
Image

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Re: How to build a B97 12 strand 2 bundle flemish string

#3 Post by Jeffro » Sun Jul 26, 2009 7:18 pm

here you can see how the first loop gets formed,you want it fairly large for a recurve so that stringing is easier.
Image
then place it together like this
Image
now make the ends untwisted and the main shaft,section whatever you want to call it of each bundle untwisted aswell and twist them together like this.They must be twisted in a clockwise direction aswell.
you should now have this
Image

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Re: How to build a B97 12 strand 2 bundle flemish string

#4 Post by Jeffro » Sun Jul 26, 2009 7:22 pm

Now you need to continue on twisting and rolling
Image
like this
Image
until every little strand end is consumed into the main body of the string plus a bit more maybe 10mm
Image
until you have your first loop
Image

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Re: How to build a B97 12 strand 2 bundle flemish string

#5 Post by Jeffro » Sun Jul 26, 2009 7:32 pm

Now I put a peg on it to hold it
Image
Now you need to untwist the main body of each bundle
Hook your newly made loop onto something and take the other end of one of the bundles.You will see it is all twisted up.You need to give it 30 twists the opposite way and then lay and wax in your padding.Do that to both bundles.
Then put the bundles together like the first time you did it so that it looks like this
Image
Then grab it again with your thumb and finger at about the 11.5" point the picture shows 10 and a half but it needs to be more like 11 and a half.
Image
now begin twisting and rolling toward the end until you have enough for the second loop
Image
It should look like this
Image

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Re: How to build a B97 12 strand 2 bundle flemish string

#6 Post by Jeffro » Sun Jul 26, 2009 7:38 pm

now fold it over to form the loop and put it together like this
Image
wrap the ends(clockwise) around the main bodies to look like this
Image
and continue twisting and rolling till you have formed your second loop
Image
Image
then you should have a string with 2 loops but not twisted between them yet
Image

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Re: How to build a B97 12 strand 2 bundle flemish string

#7 Post by Jeffro » Sun Jul 26, 2009 7:43 pm

hook one end onto something and twist up the string till it is an inch shorter than your desired length,55" in my case .Mine is for a 60" recurve so the end product needs to be 4" shorter and you will now have your string.
Image
Put the string on your bow and leave it over night,especially if your using dacron.Fastflight and dyna flight hardly stretch at all
Image
You can twist it up tighter or untwist it longer as desired until you get the right brace height.
It will need the odd adjustment every now and then.
Image
Image

Jeff
Last edited by Jeffro on Sun Aug 09, 2009 7:59 am, edited 1 time in total.

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Re: How to build a B97 12 strand 2 bundle flemish string

#8 Post by Jeffro » Sun Jul 26, 2009 7:51 pm

It takes a bit of practice to get right but after 2 or 3 strings you will be prepared to use them.You will get quicker at it aswell.

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Re: How to build a B97 12 strand 2 bundle flemish string

#9 Post by clinton miller » Sun Jul 26, 2009 9:25 pm

arhhh......another bob lee shooter.

good demo. the key is ending up with no twists in the bundles after twisting the 2nd loop, oh and ending up with a string the right length.
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Re: How to build a B97 12 strand 2 bundle flemish string

#10 Post by Stickbow Hunter » Mon Jul 27, 2009 12:26 pm

That should help newbies make a flemish string - good job Jeffro.

Jeff

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Re: How to build a B97 12 strand 2 bundle flemish string

#11 Post by looseplucker » Mon Jul 27, 2009 12:41 pm

It's great. I flemish twist linen but only do a single loop and timber hitch the other end - have not got up to double looping them yet. But this is a good "stringalong" for that.
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Re: How to build a B97 12 strand 2 bundle flemish string

#12 Post by hutcho » Mon Jul 27, 2009 5:16 pm

Jeffro you little ripper.


I am a leftie and I have some instructions on how to make FT strings but I struggled to get it right for a molly duker so this is great.


I hope there are a heap of right handers out there scratching their heads in confusion. Welcome to the land of lefties.... ;)

Cheers again

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Re: How to build a B97 12 strand 2 bundle flemish string

#13 Post by Jeffro » Mon Jul 27, 2009 5:27 pm

I learnt by watching a dvd on it that was done right handed and had to work it out.

There is one important thing you need to do aswell and that is,
When you allign the bundles to start the second loop you need to make one of them a little slacker than the other.ie instead of pulling them both out tight for equal length,the shortest one to be drooping a bit.
The reason being that as the shortest one tapers out into the string while your making the loop it gets thinner and needs to still wrap around the thicker other bundle.As a result it ends up being shorter when you have finished the taper which you dont want.You want them equal.
Anyone who needs a string and isnt into making it can order a string from Coach in the trade blanket section.

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Re: How to build a 12 strand 2 bundle flemish string

#14 Post by rodlonq » Thu Jul 15, 2010 10:32 pm

Thanks for the tips Jeffro.

I tried to make a string for my horsebow based on these measurements but it has 5 inch loops so the bloody thing ended up 3 inches too short, and the splice was only about 2.5 inches long :oops: . Never mind, we live and learn I just need to start with my strands 6 inches longer to get the 3 inches back and a bit longer splice. I am glad I started out with Dacron and not one of the more expensive materials.

Cheers, Rod......

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Re: How to build a 12 strand 2 bundle flemish string

#15 Post by rmcpb » Fri Nov 04, 2011 5:03 pm

Based on this thread and the other sticky on making a splice I had a go and ended up with a three strand usable string on my second attempt. Really great therapy :)
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Re: How to build a 12 strand 2 bundle flemish string

#16 Post by bigbob » Fri Nov 04, 2011 6:38 pm

Thanks for that Jeffro great buildalong but seriously doubt I have the necessary patience plus having to keep looking through my armpit with my head upside down might give me cramps! :biggrin: :lol: :mrgreen: :mrgreen:
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Re: How to build a 12 strand 2 bundle flemish string

#17 Post by Fanto » Fri Aug 17, 2012 10:44 pm

Jeffro

many thanks for this! i made my first two tonight and I found it very enjoyable and quite straight forward once I got the hang of it.

serving is a little tedious, i much prefer making the twists!

cheers
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Re: How to build a 12 strand 2 bundle flemish string

#18 Post by Jeffro » Sun Aug 19, 2012 6:14 pm

Mate serving is easy if you have a serving tool.
Im glad you managed to follow the instructions :smile:

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Re: How to build a 12 strand 2 bundle flemish string

#19 Post by Fanto » Sun Aug 19, 2012 8:26 pm

Jeffro

i do have serving tool!! its much better than doing it by hand but i guess I'm a little impatient..

thanks
"So long as the new moon returns in heaven a bent, beautiful bow, so long will the fascination of archery keep hold in the hearts of men" The Witchery of Archery, Maurice Thompson

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