I had a new factory string break on my Termiator last year. No damage other than losing the cable slide. But it sounded like a rifle shot. Now make my own strings and cables. Stings for my compound took a bit of practice and a jig (home made); the split end cables are also tricky. But the flemish strings for my Vortex are easy to make. Can now get one done in about a half hour. Lots of info out there on the subject. I did some searching and just made practivce strings for a while using cheap materials and dental floss for serving. Then I bought the proper supplies and flew.