I find that I have a need to make my own bow strings for my boys bows. I was wundering if anyone here on the forum was familiar with this process and would be willing to enlighten us. Thanks! ;D
Ranger I've never made a bowstring. I think even I could make one from these instructions. :D The loop braiding is the same type braid we used to do in boyscout to make lanyards for our whistles.
http://www3.sympatico.ca/ragiwarmbear/diy/flemish/flemish.html
I used a bowstring jig I copied from an old archers digest .Thats been 20 years ago though. I still have the book , I'll have a look see.
Do a Google search for Flemish Twist Bow Strings. That will give you enough information to keep you busy for a couple of days reading. Also go to the library and find The Traditional Archers Bible (3 volume set) they have a good section on strings.
Do a search on youtube for flemish string. 3rivers archery has an instruction video on how to make a flemish twist string. I have made a number of strings for my selfbows. They are not hard to make. Watching a video is the best learning tool for making them. Verbal instructions just don't help much.
I to use a bowstring jig I bought from 3 Rivers Archery. YouTube has a video on it that shows how to make a string without the jig. I'll see if I can find it and post it here.
Here we go;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3DFALhztLrE
The video is the best way to learn. But I would get it and the jig from Kustom King. The jig is much better. Brass (3/16) pins instead of small nails.
Strings for a recurve are 4" shorter than the AMO bow length, long bow strings are 3" shorter. Making strings is easy once you get the hang of it.
Good luck.