Bow String Help Needed

[BrokenArrow]

I have an osage bow that is re-curved. I am having trouble making a B-55 16 strand string for it which I can get on the nock and yet won't stretch the string so much being that the bow does not shoot as the brace height is only 2 inches.
With Osage can I get away with using a fast flight string the has little stretch???
D-97?

[bubby]

Thats all i use anymore, 8 strand and pad the loops with a few pcs of b-50 in each bundle at the tips, with a good overlay you don't need to pad the loops

[SLIMBOB]

+1 bubby. Nothin but.

[BrokenArrow]

how do you pad the loops?

[bubby]

When i make a string i start eight inches from the end when making the loop so i add two strands of b-50 to each bundle to bulk them up a little, got that trick from pearls 

[missilemaster]

One of the best things I've done in bowmaking is switching to FF. I use 8-10 strands of D-97 for my 45-55# bows Do yourself a favor and make a 14 strand FF long tillering string. You will never again deal with stretch!

[BrokenArrow]

so are the few strands of B50 running the whole length? and is that what you mean by padding?

[bubby]

They are just eight inches long

[Pat B]

Why not use a bowyers knot on the bottom. It fits any bow. That's all I've used for years.   Also I make B-50 strings with 14 strands for bows from 45# to 65# and it would probably go to higher weight.

[PEARL DRUMS]

You can just make a 10 strand unpadded D97 and you will be fine with or without overlays. Really soft wood like elm or hackberry I wouldn't trust so much without overlays. If you don't feel like padding 6 & 8 strand strings that is. The speed loss is minimal if measurable. The only draw back is you use a fuzz more materials.

As for tillering? Make yourself a 62", 64" and 66" 12 strand string to leave on a peg in your shop. One will fit 95% of what most people build. For example. You can use the 64" for a low brace tillering string. Then grab the 62" to get to final brace. Works great.