I'm in the process of making a string board. The row of nails on the right, which show the thread count, start with tying the string on the first nail. However, it looks like the first nail is zero on the count. So if your doing a 14 strand string (2colors) 7 of each color, you actually have one extra strand of each color. Because there is a strand of string which is not counted. Is that correct?

I start on the left hand nail (I'm right-handed and go clockwise on the board with the strands).  When you go around and come back to the nails again, you go to the second set--this is actually your first strand (doesn't look like it, but it is).  Wind off a bundle and count the strands--that will prove it to you.

Chad

If you start out with zero, then after you make your 1st lap around, go to the second nail, which will be numbered 1.  Then after all your laps and you cut it, you will have the number of strands that matches the nail number.  If you number your nails starting with #1, then you need to go around that number one nail twice.  It will all make sense the first time you do it and make the cut down the center.

Maybe this will help.

A picture is worth a thousand words!  That board is different than mine, but it shows what I meant with the way the strands are wound off.

Chad

Here's some food for thought. I don't use a board at all. Just figure the length of the string you need, add 16" for the twists to that number, and drive two nails into the wall or your workbench at that distance and have at it. Real simple.

You can put some feet on your string board and hold it in your lap easily with the feet between your knees to make strings. I usually sit in a folding chair in my shop and make strings.

Scattershot's idea works if you only make one length, but a board is worth it's weight in gold if you make a lot of different ones.  If you use two nails, just start dropping a strand or two every other twist when you get near the ends--that will taper it off, and look better.

Chad

LBR,
I have not seen a board with a double row of nails down the middle, have you?  It was the only picture I could find to post quickly that would show an explanation.  What would the purpose of two rows be, do you have a guess?

The only thing I can think of would be to make the board shorter, or maybe it was drawn out like that to make it easier to illustrate how the strands are wound off.  I've seen a few different ones, but that's a new one on me.

Chad

Mine looks like the one that Bowbender posted, somewhere there's a diagram of how to make one including the measurements between the nails but I cannot remember where it is.  Does anybody here know?

Tobie, are you looking for this one?
  http://www2.pcom.net/jthutten/jth/doc/use_flem_jig.htm  

this is the one bowbender was talking about:
  http://www2.pcom.net/jthutten/jth/doc/flemCompJigPhoto.htm  

and here is how to use it:
  http://www2.pcom.net/jthutten/jth/doc/flem_jigcom_use.htm

Here's another helpful link.
http://www3.sympatico.ca/ragiwarmbear/diy/flemish/flemish.html

QuoteOriginally posted by Dano:
Here's another helpful link.
 http://www3.sympatico.ca/ragiwarmbear/diy/flemish/flemish.html  

That's where the picture of the board came from.

Thanks so much- I knew I could depend on you folks!

Not only does that one have two rows off length adjustment nails, it has four nails down at the bottom.  The biggest advantage to that design would be avoiding all of the triangle math in the design.