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Offline Easternarcher

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String strand count question
« on: February 07, 2010, 10:22:46 am »
Good Morning Folks!

Looking for a concenus here on number of strands of B50 for a 55lb longbow? First 55 pounder I've made and not sure of string count.

Any suggestions for best performance from an R/D???
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Offline Pat B

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Re: String strand count question
« Reply #1 on: February 07, 2010, 10:42:45 am »
I use 14 strands of B-50 for bows over 50# and 12 strands for anything under. I haven't make bows over 60# or so
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Offline Easternarcher

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Re: String strand count question
« Reply #2 on: February 07, 2010, 11:22:39 am »
Quote from: Pat B on February 07, 2010, 10:42:45 am
I use 14 strands of B-50 for bows over 50# and 12 strands for anything under. I haven't make bows over 60# or so

I was planing on 3 ply so if I did 3 plys of 5 ea. I'd be good to go then...
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Offline Pat B

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Re: String strand count question
« Reply #3 on: February 07, 2010, 12:47:26 pm »
You'll be fine with that. Others may suggest fewer strands but I would rather have the extra insurance. I've never had a string break. (bite my tongue) ::)
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Make the most of all that comes and the least of all that goes!    Pat Brennan  Brevard, NC

Offline El Destructo

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Re: String strand count question
« Reply #4 on: February 07, 2010, 01:04:31 pm »
                       I build all of my Bows around 50-55 pounds...and make all of My Strings 14 strand 2 Ply.......JMO
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Offline PeteC

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Re: String strand count question
« Reply #5 on: February 07, 2010, 01:16:21 pm »
I use 15 strands whether 2 or 3 ply for 50# and over.God Bless
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Offline bobnewboy

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Re: String strand count question
« Reply #6 on: February 07, 2010, 05:04:18 pm »
Regardless of the overall number of strands, I always use 3 skeins/plies of strands.  I find that 2 skeins give an odd shaped string section which needs more twists to make it round, when compared to 3 skeins.  If making spiral coloured strings, I use two skeins of the lighter colour, and one of the darker colour.  My favourite combo is yellow with black  :)
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Offline Hillbilly

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Re: String strand count question
« Reply #7 on: February 07, 2010, 05:09:49 pm »
I always use 14-strand two-plies for about everything. Oddly, I have made many three-ply and two ply strings, and have come to prefer the two-plies myself.
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Offline El Destructo

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Re: String strand count question
« Reply #8 on: February 07, 2010, 05:15:20 pm »
Quote from: Hillbilly on February 07, 2010, 05:09:49 pm
I always use 14-strand two-plies for about everything. Oddly, I have made many three-ply and two ply strings, and have come to prefer the two-plies myself.

                                                                           I must Concur........... ;)
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Offline Bent Rig

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Re: String strand count question
« Reply #9 on: February 07, 2010, 05:34:59 pm »
Do you guys like the 2 ply bundles because they are easier to make ? I thought the reasoning behind the 3 ply was that they made a rounder string ? I will have to try a 3 ply and decide myself -just wondering what your thoughts were are both .  8)
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Offline CraigMBeckett

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Re: String strand count question
« Reply #10 on: February 07, 2010, 07:55:39 pm »
I prefer 3 ply for the reason stated by bobnewboy, I also try and use 3 different colours. My B50's are made with white, brown and green and I think they look good.

Craig.
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Offline woodstick

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Re: String strand count question
« Reply #11 on: February 07, 2010, 08:00:59 pm »
i use 2 ply 15 strands i aint got the 3 ply down to my satisfaction yet. black and red looks good.
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Offline Okie

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Re: String strand count question
« Reply #12 on: February 07, 2010, 10:48:22 pm »
Wow, I must be under building my strings. I use 12 strands of B-50 2 ply on everything under 60#. Never had a problem... yet!
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Offline Bent Rig

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Re: String strand count question
« Reply #13 on: February 07, 2010, 11:09:14 pm »
20 - 30lbs. -  8 strands
30 - 35lbs. - 10 strands
35 - 45lbs. - 12 strands
45 - 55lbs. - 14 strands
55 - 80lbs. - 16 strands
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Offline bobnewboy

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Re: String strand count question
« Reply #14 on: February 08, 2010, 09:55:32 am »
Another thing I've started doing is following a suggestion by Marc St Louis in an old copy of PA (I bought the whole back catalogue!  ;D)

He suggested that when making a single-ended string (i.e one with only one laid-in loop), that the 'open' end could be plaited.  I have done this a few times now, when I'm unsure of the correct string length (we all have that moment...), plaiting-in the last 4-6 inches of the string.  This makes for a flat piece of bowstring at the other bow nock, and for me this seems to slip less when tied into a bowyer's knot/hitch than the round section of the rest of the string, even when waxed.  An example of this can be seen in my build-along:

http://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/index.php/topic,14045.30.html
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