Using the "Compact Flemish Jig"

Introduction and Apology...

I didn't have the time to do the step-by-step usage diagrams as I did on the Using the Flemish Jig (original) article/page. In some regards - those steps apply to using the compact jig in that the path that the B50 Thread takes in the "nail array" is quite similiar. The original jig had the array of nails on the left end of the board - whereas the compact jig has them on the right end. (Don't ask me why, because my answer would be "just to confuse us!"...

If enough people send me nasty email because the instructions which follow can't be followed - I'll try to make the time to get the step-by-step diagrams done. I do think that with the combination of the first article as a rough guide and the direction of B50 path lines noted on both the plans and the photo - it should be easily followed. Good luck!

Terminology

During this text I will often refer to the cluster of nails at the right end of the jig (shown as red dots in the plan) as the Array of Nails or Nail Array. The Green Circles along the center line of the jig will be referred to as the "Peg Holes" in the instructions which follow. The two nails on the left end of the jig (shown as red circles) are simply called "the top (or bottom) nail at the left end of the jig" ....

Using the Compact Jig - Steps

• Determine Your Bow Length - Set the Peg
  • Your bow should be marked as to its AMO Length. This number will be represented in inches and is about 4" longer that the actual length of a finished string for the same bow.
  • Set the "Peg" (the cut-down penny nail) in the hole which is numbered the same as your AMO Bow Length. That's it, no muss, no fuss, no math!
• Determining Number of Strands - and when to STOP wrapping
  • Reference the table below to determine the TOTAL number of strands of B50 you need based on the DRAW weight of your bow.

    Bow Weight	Strands of B-50
    20-45#	12
    45-55#	14
    55-80#	16

  • Typically Flemish Strings are made from two different and contrasting colors. If you are constructing your string from two colors - remember that you only need half of the number of strands of each color! Example - a 52# bow requires a total of 14 strands. I want a green and brown string so I'll use the jig to get 7 strands of green, then use it again to get 7 strands of brown. (You'll see from the next point of instruction that this means I will stop threading when I reach the Bottom-7 nail on the jig, then cut the green from the jig and then repeat for the brown to get 7 strands of it.)
• Threading the String
  • Tie the end of the B50 thread coming off the spool to the Top-Rightmost nail on the right-end of the jig. (I'll refer to this nail as the "Top-0" nail and it's marked "Start Here" on the plan.)
  • Wrap the thread on the right side of nail Bottom-0 and then head left with it to the far left end of the jig. Wrap the thread under the lower nail at the left-end of the jig and 180 degrees around clockwise as show by the blue curved arrow on the plan.
  • Head right just BELOW all the numbered size holes drilled in the board until you get to the hole with your Peg in it. Wrap 180 degrees around the right side of the peg and now you're heading back to the left along the TOP of the drilled holes towards the pin in the top-left of the jig. (Again, look at the plan - it is wrapping around a peg in the 72" hole.)
  • Come around from the bottom of the nail in the top-left of the jig and wrap 180 degrees so that you are now heading right along the top-edge of the jig back towards the array of nails.
  • Come around from the top of nail Top-1 and wrap 90 degrees heading towards the right side of nail Bottom-1. (As shown on the plan with the blue lines and arrows.)
  • This completes ONE STRAND of B50. If all you needed was one strand (but, of course you don't) - you would tie the B50 off on pin Bottom-1. This is why the pins are numbered starting at "0"! This makes it easy to know when to stop.
  • Continue wrapping the B50 along the same path as the first path - UNTIL you get to the point where you are heading back along the top of the board and approaching the array of nails. When you reach the array of nails - DON'T wrap to the right of nail Top-1, wrap to the right of nail Top-2 and then head down to Bottom-2. This completes your second strand of B50... each subsequent strand follows the same pattern. Each subsequent strand follows the same path until you return along the top to the array of nails - then you procede to the right of the nail whose number represents the strand you are just completing.
  • Continue your threading and wrapping around the jig until you reach the number of strands you need. When finished stop by tying off on the bottom nail in the nail array. For example, if you needed 7 strands, you will end up tying on Bottom 7.

• Cutting the String
  • After you've tied off on your bottom finishing nail - you can cut the string heading back to the spool of B50.
  • If I've explained the threading and wrapping well and you've followed directions well - you should have parallel strands of B50 running up-and-down on the right end of the jig in the nail array. You need to cut these BETWEEN the two ROWS of nails, horizontally and parallel to the long ends of the jig. If you look on the plan your cut will be right where the numbers "9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0" are shown. You can use a sturdy scissors for this or a knife- a utility razor knife works nicely.
  • After you have cut the threads - grab the Peg and the strands which are wrapped half-way around it and pull the peg and the strands out. The area of the strands at the peg is the half-way point of the full length strands. Straighten out the strands so that they lay their full length (not folded in half!) and wax them. You are now ready for Crafting the Flemish String!