How to Make a Flemish Bow String Jig

From trigger releases to bowstrings, you simply cannot pursue archery without the aid of some basic equipment. Bowstrings require special attention, as they can stretch, fray and eventually fail, causing physical danger to the archer. The Flemish bow string resists permanent stretching or "creep" and promotes consistency in firing. You can make a Flemish bow string with a few simple materials, but first you must make a Flemish bow string jig to guide the string-making process.

Things You'll Need

  • 30-inch 2-by-4 wood board
  • Ruler
  • Marker
  • 1 1/2-inch finishing nails
  • Hammer
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Instructions

    • 1

      Measure 1/4 inch in from each corner of the four-inch surface of a 2-by-4 inch board. Use a ruler and mark these four spots with a marker.

    • 2

      Hammer one 1 1/2-inch finishing nail into each of these four marked spots so 3/4 inch of the nail remains exposed. All nails in this project should stick out 3/4 inch.

    • 3

      Measure two inches towards the middle of the board from one of the four nails and mark this distance along the center line of the board's surface with a marker.

    • 4

      Hammer a 1 1/2-inch finishing nail into the marked spot.

    • 5

      Measure one inch towards the middle of the board from the last nail and mark the location with a marker.

    • 6

      Hammer a nail into the marked spot. Repeat the process (measuring one inch, making the mark and hammering in the nail) five more times. You will have seven nails running down the center of the board.

    • 7

      Label the row of nails beginning with the first nail: 48, 50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 60. These numbers refer to the length in inches of the bow the string will fit. You may add more nails in this fashion for longer bows.

    • 8

      Measure 1/2 inch in towards the middle of the board from one of the two corner nails opposite the numbered row and mark this spot with a marker.

    • 9

      Hammer a nail into the marked spot. Repeat this process of measuring 1/2 inch towards the middle of the board, marking the spot and hammering a nail into the mark until you have a row of nine nails.

    • 10

      Nail a matching row of 9 nails into the surface of the board beginning with the corner nail nearest the first row of 9 nails. Your jig is now ready to use.