Strings

[DC]

I've been making Flemish strings for 5 years with only a few problems. I finally got my jig marked for an average length string and it works well. Until I decided to make a 41" string with 3" loops. I figured and measured and measured and figured and decided that I would try 55" strands to start. I've got one loop done and it looks like I'm going to get a 35" string. Rather than guessing and trying and wasting string does anyone have a formula that is something like total length plus loop length plus twisting losses equals strand starting length? Maybe get me a bit closer.

[maitus]

Measure Your strands. Then make 4'' (better more) Flemish twist and measure Your strands again. So You can find out how long strands will make 1'' string .

[PatM]

Nock to nock length plus 16 inches.

[maitus]

It's not enough for 3'' loops

[maitus]

How the loop must be measured?

[DC]

Is that for 3" loops Pat? I want a 41" string. I started with 55" strands and twisted 3" loops. Stretched it out and measured the overall length from loop to tag end. It's now 45". So that means( I think) that I used up 10" making the loop. It looks to me like I should use nock to nock plus 20" for 3" loops.

[PatM]

 Maybe not.  So add in a bit extra . 

[PatM]

Are your loops three inches long or tree inches around?

[DC]

How the loop must be measured?

3" inside length if that makes sense.

[DC]

I should have started way long. It's easy to shorten them

[AndrewS]

Normally I add something around 9 " at each side for the loops.
If I would make long loops, I would add more (for 3"inch loops I would add 12"  on each side >> 41 + 12 +12 = 65"..... )

May it is enough to use 1 or  2" less.  Normally I do long flemish twisted parts.

[DC]

Normally I add something around 9 " at each side for the loops.
If I would make long loops, I would add more (for 3"inch loops I would add 12"  on each side >> 41 + 12 +12 = 65"..... )

The length will depend a lot on twisting habits and how much tail you like to leave but that sounds close to what I'm trying this time. I did 41+10+10. I was thinking that there might be a % loss for twisting but I guess that would depend on the individual.

[DC]

61" turned out to be 41" Bingo. But because I used B50(recommended for horn bows) it stretched out a little far. Actual every time stretch. The reason I don't like B50.

[bassman]

B50 for Horn bows. That is a surprise to me. I "thought" most guys used low stretch Linen strings, or low stretch modern material. To me that would be like buying a 500 dollar suit with  a 5 dollar pair of shoes. I have no experience with horn bows' so I learned some thing today. You know what they say, "thought" thought he farted ,but he s--t him self.

[DC]

This being my first hornbow I'm going conservative. Apparently with a light bow like mine, 40#, you can get away with low/no stretch strings but I'll take the cowards way out. I can't imagine bracing a 100# bow with B50. You would have to go to full draw to get the string on