Making a Tillering String?

[mmattockx]

I am at the point where I want a proper tillering string. Been using a piece of paracord so far, but it is really too stretchy to work properly. I have bought a spool of cheapish no name bow string and will be making a string jig. I have watched Weylin's excellent video on making Flemish twist strings and I should be able to make something that at least resembles a bow string.

A few questions:

1) For a tillering string I am thinking it will have a closed loop on one end and the other end just tied off loose so I can set the length with a timber hitch. Is this correct?
2) How long to make it?
3) How do I finish off the loose end? I was thinking I would weave/twist the last 10-12" tight like when making the loop, then tie it off and melt the loose ends together to stop it fraying apart.


Thanks,
Mark

[Del the cat]

I use a continuous loop string with big served loops at each end. I adjust the length bt threading it through a metal ring. This allows adjustment from long string to low brace to full brace. it then gives an exact length for making the proper string.
Del

[bownarra]

Is that a peep sight Del?
I make mine Flemish. One loop one bowyers knot.
I make quite a few elbs so mine is about 78", but twist a long section on the knotted end so that you have plenty of adjustment for a long bow to a short bow.
Loose end finishing is simple. Just keep reverse twisting until you run out of string. Then cut with a scalpel and melt the fresh ends together. You probably got a dacron based string material and that generally melts together fine. No need for any knots, which would come out anyway.

[DC]

I use a replaceable chain link in place of Del's loop, I use a Flemish twist with double loops. Three different takes on the same thing.
One thing though, make it heavy, 20 strands or so to allow for wear. They get a lot of use and start to fray.

[George Tsoukalas]

I use old bow strings from bows that didn't make it so I can't help much. Jawge

[willie]

timber hitch and one of these

[Pat B]

I make all my strings with the top loop only and tie a bowyer's knot(timber hitch) on the other end. I have an extra heavy(16 strands B-50), extra long string I use for initial tiller string then make the permanent string for the bow after brace and complete the tillering with it.