Flemish string problem

[robertyb]

I recently bought a new Vortex and ordered a FFF String #1989 at same time. Been shooting the factory string and have had no problems so a few days ago I decided to change strings and try to get most of the creep out of the new Flemish string. I installed it twisted up to the high mark and cocked the bow and left it for 6 hours. Had to twist a couple more turns and did it again. It settled down about 2 string widths from my S5 and stayed there. I finally shot it 4 shots day before yesterday and had to put two more twists in it. Yesterday it had settled just a tad so i shot it about 10 shots and it was just barely touching my S5 so today so I put a half twist in and went out and shot it. First three shots were fine and it stayed put. On the 4th shot when I cocked the bow I thought I saw some serving seperation. Went ahead and took the shot and brought it in and sure enough the serving has seperated at the full cock bend on both sides but the right side looks like the string is poking through. Less than 20 shots on it and I will not shoot it again. My factory string has 40 to 50 shots and looks almost new still with no claw marks or seperation at all.

Is this a defective string? Guess I need to learn how to serve a string.

[Boo]

If you only see string material when it's cocked that's pretty much normal.

[robertyb]

If you only see string material when it's cocked that's pretty much normal.

I am seeing it with it off the bow. It seems to have developed a hernia.

[robertyb]

I took a picture with my cellphone. Not too good but I think it will show up.

[vixenmaster]

Its reserve time on that one!

[Cossack]

Flemish strings should be twisted up in the same direction as the serving is wound, doing so tightens the serving. Could it be that was not the case?

[awshucks]

That bit of advice applies to all strings, fwiw.

[nchunterkw]

I just put one on my Vortex last night and shot it today. Process was:
added about 5 twists and install string - it was near the top mark
within 10-15 minutes it streched 2-3 string widths (maybe more)
added 5 more twists to get it near the top mark
left it uncocked all night and all day
added 3 twists this evening - back to top mark
put 30 shots on it - it settled to right about the 1" mark
string was on the bow for about 20 hours before I ever cocked it.

Maybe when you put it on a cocked the bow right away it that didn't let the serving move during the initial phase when the string stretches rather quickly.

The pressure between the string and latch is really high. In rough numbers :1/8" wide string, 1/8" wide latches means each latch/string area is about 1/8" X 1/8". In a square inch there are 64 , 1/8" X 1/8" squares, so the weight of the bow (200lbs) is resting on 2/64ths of a square inch. Say each latch holds half the weight (100 lbs) then the equivalent PSI is roughly 6400 lbs.

[robertyb]

Flemish strings should be twisted up in the same direction as the serving is wound, doing so tightens the serving. Could it be that was not the case?

Been shooting bows over 50 years. I assure you it was twisted correctly. I am pretty new to crossbows, not archery.

[awshucks]

String twist info is always good posts, there's a lot of new folks who don't know the proper method.

We tend to flock shoot info out when there's a problem. I remember one guy hung a new FFF up on a hook, added weights to bottom loop and was amazed it had spun the twist out and disassembled a loop.

I'd never thought of that one.

[Dash]

Hi Robert. Its hard to say why one new string serving lasts 200 shots, then another identical string seperates after 20-30. Its happened to me. But the best thing you can do is learn to serve them tightly yourself. I think Boo and Munch both have an online tutorials to guide you. It saves you a lot of hassle by having a reserved string as a spare, and the jig will also help to prestretch your new strings before putting them on.

[Cossack]

That bit of advice applies to all strings, fwiw.

True enough 'shucks., but particularly important how one installs serving on Flemish or string loops will untwist if serving was applied incorrectly and one tries to match it's twist.

[awshucks]

All my flemish have come w/ twists in them, and as far as I know served the proper direction.

It was the factory Excels I was thinking of, one needs to check center serving before applying twists to them.

It's about time for the annual clockwise vs counter clockwise party

[Ont_Excal]

It's about time for the annual clockwise vs counter clockwise party

To a square dance tune I hope!!