When you all measure your bow to get Its length, how do you go about It? Strung or unstrung when measuring It? Where exactly do you measure? My bow might of had the specs on It at one time but there not there anymore. I broke my string today shooting!! Scared the hell out of me being this Is the same bow that I have the small tiny slivers peeling away on the upper limb on the outside edge of It.[8D] This will only be my 3rd string In 14 years on It. I put my other string on It that I bought last year but I'm not so sure It's the right length. Either way I need another string for a back up.

Unstrung, just use a piece of string or something to measure the complete contour from nock to nock. Usually AMO will be 3-4" less. Or strung, just measure your current string.

To get the AMO bow length, you measure like BC said--start at the top of the nock groove, follow the contour of the limb (but measure through the center of the riser), to the top of the other nock groove. You can measure it strung or unstrung--should get the same number either way.

AMO says 3" shorter for the string, but it can vary depending on the bow and your preferances.

What kind of bow, and what is your brace height with the new string?

Chad

What I like to do is simply take the string that is on the bow at correct brace heightand measure it (well, you have to unstring it first). Put one end of the loop on a nail or hook, stretch it out, mearure it inside loop to inside loop, then give the measurement to Chad to build me one.

That's how I'd do it, if I didn't know the AMO length. With your current string, adjust the bow to theproper brace height. Take the string off the bow, stretch it between two nails and measure. If you want to actually measure the bow for AMO length, here's a good article that explains things pretty well concerning AMO bow lengths and proper string lengths for traditional equipment.

http://www.bowhunting.net/artman/publish/TailorMaidMeasuring.shtml

From to groove to groove It measured out at 59". My new brace height now Is at 7 1/4" with the new string. When my old string was on the brace height was 6 13/16. I figured I'd extend the brace height out some being that should be closer to what It should be.

This Is where I measured for string length while It's strung, Is this the correct way?

I'd take it off the bow first. Then do as Chris mentioned. Be careful not to untwist or twist it.

Loop it on an overhead nail, pull it tight by hand and measure inside loop to inside loop (furtherest part of the inside loop). The person making thestring will know how much extra to add (you'll want to be able to put some twists in the new string).

Bob, the old string broke and Is In pieces. I can't measure that string so that's why I asked how else I could go about this. I measured the bow while strung (59"). Did I do that part right? See picture.

OK, I missed that part. Then yes, measure the way you have it and substract 3".

Schultzy, this string thing is confusing to me as well. I apologize for interjecting here and asking a question but I think you might want to know this as well.

I don't really understand the difference between the different kinds of strings such as "Flemish" or whatever. When we order a string and it is not the exact brace height we need can we twist/untwist all types or whatever, what is the amount of leeway for twisting, there must be a limit? This is extremely important obviously, because if it is to short, we are stuck with it, if it's to long can we twist it to the correct brace height, but how much is acceptable?

As for the way to measure for a string, the way Schultzy outlined in the above photo is exactly how I was told to do it, if one doesn't have the string for whatever reason, is his procedure right or wrong?

Changeling