Well I figured I might as well get the "Tech" forum started with some useful information, so here is a brief tutorial on how to properly tie on your string loop. This is how I tie my nock sets as well as my string loop. I like a very small loop so it's a little harder to tie. If you like a slightly longer loop it will be easier. Here you go: I start out with a 4 3/4 in piece of loop material. I have found that Allen makes a great string loop material, it burns good, does not stretch and holds it's shape very well. I just used Allen as an example, there are many good quality string loops out there, my point is make sure you start off with good materials. After I cut my loop to length I burn both ends into a nice big melted ball. I like to do this off of the bow as it gives me more control of the melt. If the flame is too close it will burn the end leaving a burnt charred like appearance. This is not good as it will make the end weak and could break. The end should melt but never catch fire. Next I locate my nock position and tie in my first nock set. I tie the nock just like you would any knot but instead of a complete knot I only tie half, then wrap the serving material around the bow string and tie again. I repeat this till I have done it 5 times (you can do more or less) the last knot is a full square not to keep it in place. I cut the ends and melt into place. Instead of tying overhand knots you can serve them on but I find the knot way quicker and easier. I then slip on an arrow nock to give me my proper spacing and tie the second nock set. Once that is done I am ready to tie on the loop. This is a little difficult especially if you have big hands like me, but if I can do it anybody can. I tie the first knot on the outside of my tied on nock and pull it as tight as I can. I do this by wrapping the loop material around a screwdriver and pull (like a "T" Handle), I then lay the untied end down on the string over my second tied on nock. I tie the second knot. This one will be difficult because there is not a lot of material to work with, you will end up pushing the melted ball through the knot. Take your time and don't get frustrated. After it's tied you will have no loop to speak of but after you pull it some it will take shape. I use a pair of needle nose pliers to spread the loop and get it tight. After that I knock an arrow, attach my release and pull. I don't pull it all the way into the let off because I want as much weight to cinch the knot. Make sure you are pointing your bow in a safe direction. It's important to make sure you tie your string loop in opposite directions so the melted balls are on opposite sides of the string. The drawing below shows how the knots are tied but again remember to tie them in opposite directions, the picture shows both knots being tied in the same direction and is only to illustrate how to tie them. When done it will look like this: Notice how the burnt ends are shiny? Well that's a sign of a good melt. If it's charred then it got too hot and could fail. Also notice how the knots are tied opposite of each other with one melted end on each side of the string. This helps add strength to the knot and applies even pressure to the string when it's pulled. As you can see in the picture above there is just enough room to put my release on once an arrow is nocked. This is the way I prefer my loops to be in size. If you want a longer loop start off with a longer piece of material. I do however feel that burning the ends before tying the loop is better than tying on the loop then burning the end. I know it's easier to tie but I don't like putting a flame that close to a waxy string, I don't want to take the chance of melting any of the string fibers. Good luck and remember it will take time to get that
Ya but that doesn't look like the 1-1/2" loop you had last time we shot! Guess you can't use that as an excuse anymore!
Note for left handed shooters; If you tie the knots as shown in the picture and notice you're tearing weird through paper (right or left) reverse the way the knots are facing. Because of the way your release will torque the loop, you may be inducing more torque onto your string before you shoot.
