This is my first attempt at an instructional thread so I apologize if things aren't explained clearly enough and also for some of the pictures, I know they are hard to see some of the small details. Also, this is just one way of many different styles to do this task, however I have found this to be the simplest and the quickest, so this is the way I use.
You will need a bowpress for this method, also will need serving thread (.018 used here), scissors, and a lighter.
First of all is to find which cable you need to tie the cord into. On most conventional dropaways this is the downward moving cable. If you look at the bottom cam, this will be the cable that is closest to the riser. Other dropaway styles use different methods, Limbdriver uses the action of the upper limb, Whammy uses the up cable, and the muzzy zero effect uses the cable slide unless the bow has a rollergaurd, then it will use the downward moving cable also.
Next you need to press the bow to relax the tension on the cables. Cut a piece of serving about 2 ft. long and seperate the cable approx. in half ,about even with the lower edge of the grip, and thread one end of the serving through about 6-8 inches.
After this, I relax the bowpress, putting tension back on the cable to help hold everything tight, to make it easier to work with. Lay the short 6-8" long piece along the cable and begin to wrap the longer end of the serving over top of the short end and around the cable.
Continue this for approx 3/4 of an inch making sure to keep it tight and secure.
Now comes the part that I'm dreading to try to explain clearly.. The remaining end of the 6-8" serving lay back over top of what you have just served and get it out of the way. The longer end of the serving, that you have been using to serve the cable with, take and make a loop using your fingers to keep the loop and serve back towards the previously served portion. Do this for about 7-8 wraps.
Next, lay the excess serving back over the cable towards the original 3/4" long portion of serving and wrap the loop around the cable, this will take the wraps from the right side and move them to the left. Eventually you will end up holding a loop in your right hand and the tag end in your left.
Pull on the tag end, this will pull the loop under the serving and finish off this section of serving. Pull both tag ends as tight as possible and tie 2 overhand knots and carefully burn the excess, sealing the knot and serving. Be careful not to burn the cable or string.
Next press the bow, taking tension off the cables, and seperate the cable below this serving. Thread the timing cord through the cable and pull to where you have almost no slack between the cable and the rest. Then take the bow out of press.
Do NOT tie a knot in the cord yet. Draw the bow back, do not use a release for risk of dry fire, and let it down. This will pull the cord through the cable to the proper length.
Tie a single overhand knot in the cord and cut off the excess leaving about 1.5". Then go tune the rest and ensure that you have no timing or contact issues. If the rest needs to drop faster or slower, you can untie the knot and lengthen or shorten the cord as necessary and retie the knot.
After everything is tuned and you are sure your timing is right you can cut off the excess and carefully burn the end to seal it off and congratulations, you're finished.
Some others will serve below the cord, but I do not see a need to. also others will serve the cord itself to the cable with a series of overhand knots. Both will work fine without any problems. I choose this way because of the ease of timing and tuning, along with being simple and quick. It normally takes me about 3-4 minutes to tie it in using this method start to being ready to shoot.
Sorry for some of the confusing expanations and some of the unclear pictures. Hopefully this will help a couple of you in learning how to do some of these tasks to become more proficient in doing your own tuning and setup.
How to - Tie in a Drop-Away Timing Cord
