Shooting a 16 strand string with 5/16 nocks. Would like the arrows to fit a hair tighter so that at full draw the nocks doesn’t accidentally slip out.

Is there a way to make a mock fit a hair tighter?

If I have a nock that is a little loose I just bite it closer.

Hot water in coffee cup. Dip for about 15 seconds. Pinch nock with fingers lightly.

Dental floss

When my nocks get loose it is because the serving is wearing down. My fast and easy fix is to add a single drop of superglue to the serving. Squeeze with needle nose pliers or file if it becomes too too tight. A few dozen shots will also loosen the fit.

If they are all loose, time to re serve the string

They manufacture several different diameters of serving material. I would measure the diameter your now using and buy one, one or two thousands larger. The problem with altering the nock is no two are the same an you can weaken the nock.

Bob

If I don't have the right size serving, as aromakr suggests, I will do like gutpile and use dental floss. I'm not confident I could alter nocks consistently.

Steve

Re-serve the string or find new nocks.

Thanks for all the good ideas!

The hot water trick works well.

Yep, dental floss, an archer's helper indeed. I've even sewed quivers with it, and repaired my fanny pack as well. Dang handy stuff to always have around.

I keep one size of serving. If an adjustment needs to be made on string diameter I do that by using Teflon plumbers tape under the serving.

^^^^ +1 on Teflon plumbers tape. - John

Build 15 to 20 strings till you get one that works. Or pinch the nock, which ever you find simpler.

Pinch the nock is pretty simple. The rest was sarcasm. If that offended anyone, so be it.

2x dental floss

x3 with dental floss or dental tape. One layer over the serving will be all you need. I would wrap the serving a little lower than the width of your arrow nock. DANNY

Hot water + stir 15-20 sec + pinch.

Sometimes I pinch the nock just before I put it on the string, in the past, seems like it works "in a pinch."

I will likely reserve the string.

Justin

Some nocks don't pinch them no matter how long you leave them in hot water. This is especially true of nocks on carbon arrows.

" They manufacture several different diameters of serving material. I would measure the diameter your now using and buy one, one or two thousands larger. The problem with altering the nock is no two are the same an you can weaken the nock.

Bob "

You can easily modify a nock to fit a string, but can you modify a couple dozen to exactly the same size? I used to think I could and had a pretty good process. But then you have different sizes of the same nock that you have to mark to keep them separated. You get a new string and now your modified nocks no longer fit correctly.

I think you are better off making or buying a string that properly fits the unmodified nock. You can use the proper serving size, use Teflon tape under the serving, wrap with dental floss, apply Super glue, or whatevr else makes the string the correct size. If you feel nock fit is important (and I do), fit your strings to the nock size and not the other way around. Been there and done that.

I was in a pinch, so I...

Used the hot water method. Worked excellent and quickly. Easy to overdo it and I only did it on 5 arrows but it worked perfectly. These are vintage 2219s and I am pleased. Thanks for all the tips!

Justin

Justin said: "Used the hot water method. Worked excellent and quickly. Easy to overdo it and I only did it on 5 arrows but it worked perfectly. These are vintage 2219s and I am pleased. Thanks for all the tips!'

Justin: Have your bow at the ready. As soon as you have bathed the nock in the hot water, slip nock on the serving and pinch closed to fit. If nock seems too tight, pull arrow off serving, briefly bathe the nock again and immediately slip it back onto the serving

Been successfully using the method for all the years I have set up arrows.

I would be very hesitant on pinching a "dry nock" closed. IMO that would entail stressing the nock material that could result in a nock busting on release.

Cool Glad the hot water worked for you. I just bite it, to suit my needs on that certain one. JF

Due to different materials and diameters used for nock servings on various strand-count strings, I have never purchased any type or brand of nock that was a perfect fit from the get-go.

I have one brand of nock I typically use and when buying a string I tell the builder. If I acquire a bow with the wrong size serving I just reserve it. Good skill and materials to have. Pretty easy after you do it a few times. YouTube it!

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