I need to buy a new bowstring server. When I bought my first one, there were basically two choices. After looking around, there are many to choose from. Which is your favorite, and why?

The martin 7 dollar one. It's light works great. I have a collection there all to heavy. They make ones that hook up to a drill 200.00 dollars. My friend says they are the ticket. For nowhere the seven dollar one serves me well. Cameron

I have quite a few of server's,I just use the I guess you could say cheaper ones like Bohning,Bjorn and others.No where near as expensive as a Beiter server for about $50 plus.I have a few different diameter servings,makes it easier then switching the spool when I need a different diameter.I modify them,I replaced the bolt for the spool with one about a 1/2" longer.Then went to a hardware store a got a small round spring and put it between the wing nut and the server body.This gives me a finer tension adjustment on the inexpensive servers.

Mike, I have several string servers of recent manufacture and modern design. I have yet to finds a server that will hold a consistent tension. Thus, servers are mostly the same, some more expensive than others. The more elaborate designs are no better than the less expensive designs.

If you come across a server that will hold a consistent tension, let me know.

Go to You Tube.......you'll see a young guy that shows you how to make one for about $2 dollars with parts from Home Depot.......

I got so fed up with screwing around with servers that I quit using them. I just serve right off of the spool. It takes a few of minutes more to do a string, but to me it's a lot less aggravating and I turn out a better quality string.

The tension problems associated with the servers are not fault of the equipment its in the spool. When the string is centered it pulls free and smooth as it gets to the ends it is at more angle and more stress on the spool binding it up. That new micro server that looks like it uses a sewing machine bobbin looks like it may fix this. Also using a bobbin on a regular server with nylon spacers will work also.

Hal9000 makes a good one.

Recently I switched over to endless loop strings. After I made a couple, I misplaced my Brownell server, that I wasn't wild about to begin with. It couldn't maintain proper tension no matter what I did to it. After several windings, I'd have to stop, tighten the wing nut, continue, stop and so on. I like the serving evenly tight, and that tool was not nearly as good as the cheapest server I use to have that snapped in half. I just ordered that inexpensive one from Lost Nation Larry. Thank's for everyone's advice.

Beiter holds tension works great will outlast me.

The beiter's the best i've ever used. Expensive but worth it

take a look at bearpaw

Bearpaw for me.

I have an AAE that would never maintain proper tension. I found that if I sanded the ends of the spool very smooth it helped.

I made one form a metal tie plate from the video on u tube as TSP mentioned above and it works great, better than the more expensive one.

I've used the Bjorn Sweden-made string server gfor about 45 years.. You adjust the tension initially..after getting the serving properly put thru the holes in the server..

WHEN the serving thread string coming off the spool is far left or right on the spool..the tension gets a bit higher..so sometimes a tiny reduction of the tension on the spool is warranted.. I motly use Brownells #4 nylon THREAD( not mono) serving thread..

When I serve a string..it is with bow properly braced..Once the serving is started..I use centrifugal force and a bit of a bouncing action with no hands on the serving rig at all..

The braced bow sorta sits on my lap, string away from me..and I serve left to right from top of serving to bottom..

Takes some practice to get this rhythm downpat..but one can serve a string in under 2 minutes using this method..Jim

Dire wolf, that bouncing action is to serve the center section of the string, right? I've never heard of that, but it makes sense, if the server's tension is right.

Mike, That's the way I was taught years ago to serve up the center section of the braced bowstring..

Certainly much faster than gabbing the server or the thread spool and wrapping over and around for each added serve-up..Jim

I started out using the little spinner . Once I got used to it I can do a center serving in around a minute. There may be better ones that people like, but the little spinner works well for me.

I've used one like this since the early 1970's.

I use a Bearpaw but modified the washer arrangement.

Making strings for about 20 years now and the best I have used is the Beiter. As mentioned above, it's not normally the servers problem with tension, but the serving and how it's wound on the spool.

The Beiter allows you to change spools very easily . . .

Michael

Cajun works for me, $20 at Rancho Neblinka.

Tinhorn

I have and use 4 of the servers that George S. posted. I never learned how to spin serve so it takes me maybe 8 minutes to serve a string. Works for me.

Whatever one uses that does the job well..IF it's working..don't fix or replace it..:)Jim

I've been using a Bearpaw for nearly a year.....NO complaints.

Here is a pic of my modified server as I talked about in my earlier post.The spring gives me a finer and consistent tension adjustment.

sorry the pic wouldn't take,never had a problem before?

The Bjorn serving rig

Good idea strshotx. I may do that to mine.

reddogge,it keeps the wingnut from coming loose and allows as much or as little tension as you would like.Before I did this with the server,the wingnut would either get too tight or get loose.It works great for me,I don't have to keep adjusting the wingnut throughout the serving process.Once I have it set it stays the same from string to string.

Where can I get one of those springs for my server? Went to Loew's but couldn't find them there. Where can I find the springs? Appreciate any help, thanks.

Beiter

The Sherwood Poacher I found the springs at ACE Hardware in their nuts and bolt section.They have all kinds of small items,just got a bolt about a 1/2" longer and just looked through the springs.They have all kinds of little round springs,different diameters,lengths and strengths.

Here is another pic.

Ilike the little spinner. Once you start all you have to do is wiggle the bow string and it will go onits own.

Yup the one that George uses. Comes with #4 nylon 7 bucks. Only I use angel serving it has a good spool. Cameron

Thes others don't works good IMHO. Cameron

OK then. I'll try ACE hardware. Thanks for the help.

The "Tornado Pro Serving Tool" from Lost Nation arrived yesterday. I finally turned out a string today, and it performed flawlessly. Made in America, $11.95 plus shipping. Can't beat it with a stick, very satisfied.

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