Subject: Cross Bow strings
Sent: 12 Dec 99

I learned today from a cross bow vendor that cross bow strings last about 100 shots and that if one takes some heat shrink tubing and shrinks it over the section of the string that rubs on the bow (3"-5" long) that it can last up to 5 times longer.  Choose a flexible thin enough tubing that the mechanism will still cock and hold the string back.  Also, recommended is to put wax on the string after or before each intended use.  This is also recommended if one uses heat shrink tubing to make the string last longer. 

Wax string before each use period.  Bees wax, parifine, lip wax, it dosn't matter. String by hand use two people, bend each side uniformly.  

I believe that 1/16" or bigger wire rope (small cable with 120 lb working strength) would also work for a string and last even longer.  This can be bought for about $.10 per foot at home depot and other hardware sources