question .... dental floss for bowstring ?

[rockrush69]

I was flossing my teeth and it hit me.  Floss feels like it would work ... i could not break it it almost cut my finger off . Would this work ? I am broke and jobless right now and have a pacific yew elb with parachord on it !!! Its depressing

[TimPotter]

Yes it works. say 8 strands double-braided. Basically it's the same thing as the artificial sinew they sell at craft-stores, except white. If I was in a pinch and needed to make a bow string I'd give it a whirl, I've made strings from the artificial sinew before when I was younger and it stretches to all heck at first, so it takes about 3 times stringing and shooting before you get the loops right. What could it hurt. You can still use wood splinters for your dental hygiene.

[mikekeswick]

Test the breaking strain.
Multiply the draw weight of your bow by 4.
Divide that number by thebreaking value of the floss.
Split the answer into 2 or 3 and you've worked out the number of strands per ply needed to make a strong enough string.
Vital you do a breaking test first.

[Hamish]

I know its hard, but please  be patient. I would hate to see a yew bow busted because of a crap string. Someone might donate a custom string or proven string material. Friends or relatives might help you out. You just don't risk a good bow of yew worth many hundreds of dollars over a couple of dollars of string material, as you will be devastated if something goes wrong.

[mullet]

Spyderwire fishing line is almost lthe same as FastFlight string, also.

[TimPotter]

Yes, Mullet is right, if you have it that is. Expensive, and it will not stretch. You pretty much do and endless loop and whip the ends and center. I tried it a few times in the past cause I needed something and didn't have the money.

[skarhand]

If you use the minty fresh kind it can also help cover your scent.

[Marks]

Do you have long hair? Apparently hair will make a bow string. 
I'll sell you my beard for a reasonable price. 

[PEARL DRUMS]

B50 is what $8-10 spool? That's cheaper than dental floss or fishing line.

[The Gopher]

B50 is what $8-10 spool? That's cheaper than dental floss or fishing line.

I was going to say the same thing, once you bought enough floss to actually make a string, i think that B50 would actually be much cheaper.

[rockrush69]

Thank you guys for the help . Last night . I posted in the trading post . ... and within an hour i recieved a calll from someone on here.  ( i was told not to advertize) and without asking for anything in trade ( which i offered sinew) he is sending me enough dacron to do five bows . I gave him all my measurments . He said he will do the math and hook me up . See . That is what i love about archery . And this site expecially . A bunch of stand up dudes ... no doubt . I am proud to be a member of pa. i think of all of you ad brothers .... yes there are going to be creative differences . But dude . We are all good people . And better than most at building bows . Thanks everyone and god bless .

[echatham]

do ya need some serving?

[rockrush69]

Yeah actually . I do . But i am a broke man at the moment . I got some cow tendons ? But besides that . I dont have much . Oh and some small chunks of obsidian .to small and thick for arrowheads.  ( at least with my skiill)