Serving tension

[DC]

I've been perusing Youtube string making vid's and they mention that serving should not be too loose or too tight. I can understand too loose but what is wrong with having tight serving? And what is "too" tight?

[PEARL DRUMS]

Too tight can cut the string under the serving and the top and bottom of the serving.

[Marc St Louis]

Too tight can cut the string under the serving and the top and bottom of the serving.

Especially with a natural fiber string

[DC]

Never thought of that, thanks. Would you care to take a shot at what "too tight" is and how to describe that over the internet?

[PEARL DRUMS]

If the tool wont flip over and over easily, and on its own, as you turn a serving on its too tight.

[DC]

Thanks, I'm too tight.I'll back off a bit.

[Marc St Louis]

If the tool wont flip over and over easily, and on its own, as you turn a serving on its too tight.

I make mine a bit tighter than that

[Pat B]

I make it tight enough so it doesn't pull the string as I flip the tool around it.

[DC]

Thanks guys. I'm zeroing in on "tight enough"

[Danzn Bar]

DC,
Make sure your string is stretched and twisted to the length you need before you serve it.
DBar

[BowEd]

That's gotta get really really tight to cut a string.

[osage outlaw]

I get mine good and tight.  I replaced the stupid wing nut for a lock nut on the serving tool.  It's easier to set the tension and it stays in place.  I kept bumping the wing nut loose and the serving tool would drop to the ground.

[loon]

My hornbow's brace height tension is so damn high that there's no way I can make the serving tool spin by itself by moving the string.. guess i'll just have to flip it manually.

Also, in my opinion the direction of serving wrapping must be in a way such that it's tightened (not unraveled) as the string is drawn. Maybe it doesn't matter if the serving is tight enough and well made.

[BowEd]

My wrapping rom my server is usually a little tighter than I can do by hand.

[mikekeswick]

You can only go so tight before you the string itself starts turning....
If you are using modern materials go as tight as is feasible. It is the high stiffness of fastflight that can cause problems.