During the early days of archery, bow strings were made from sinew, rawhide or animal parts. As the technology of bows evolved, so did the materials used for the bow strings. Having the proper bow string for a particular bow can dramatically affect performance. As a result, archers started building custom, handmade bow strings to meet their shooting demands. Making archery bow strings follows an easy step-by-step process and requires little equipment.
Step 1
Cut the bow string with a scissors to the proper length. To determine the required length, remove the string from the bow, untwist it and measure its length. As a general rule, recurve bows will have a string length about 3.5 feet shorter than the bow.
Step 2
Calculate the number of bow string strands. Every bow string consists of several strands, and the number of strands depends on the string material and draw weight of the bow. To calculate the number of strands, use the formula (draw weight in pounds times 4) divided by 10. For example, if the draw weight is 40 lbs., the recommended number of strands is 16.
Step 3
Set the string jig to the appropriate string length and secure the locking bolt. Adjust the length of the jig by sliding the two columns up and down in the middle of the posts. This measurement is the length from post A--far left bottom post--to post D--far right top post.
Step 4
Wind the string material around the posts in the string jig. Tie the string to post A and wind the string around post D and back to A until the recommended number of strands is completed. One complete loop is considered two strands. Maintain an even tension for every loop. End the loops on post A and tie the ends of the string together.
Step 5
Measure the loops and wrap the string with serving. Use a small tape measure to measure the distance of the loop--the part of the bowstring that wraps around the limb groove. Mark the distance on the new bow string and wrap with serving. Wrap about 4 inches of serving around the string where the arrow will be nocked to the string. Use a lighter to burn the ends of the serving to prevent fraying.
Step 6
Apply string wax to the bow string. Use a rag and apply vigorously to work the wax into the string to protect it from heat, dirt and debris.
Tips and Warnings
- Consult the owner's manual for compound bows for recommended string length. Add about 1/4 inch to the string length to allow for twisting. Follow the guidelines for recommended life span. Avoid applying wax to the serving.
- Do not use a string that is too short. Short bow strings can cause excessive stress to the limbs. Check the string's condition for fraying or defects before shooting.
Things You'll Need
- String material
- Scissors
- Tape measure
- String jig
- Serving material
- Lighter
- String wax
- Rag
Member Comments