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Monkeyboab · Joined: 04 Sep 2009 Posts: 12 Location: Scotland

Hi just wondering the best way to attach flatbands to a black widow?(pictures would be good

)
Also Im in the UK so wheres the best place to get bands or band making suplies from?

Thanks Rob
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peakshooter · Joined: 08 Aug 2006 Posts: 31 Location: UK

Cant help with pics, but.....

If you are going to put flat bands on to the Black Widow suggest the following method (there may be better ways of doing it, but this is how I do it):
- undo the handle and turn the fork prongs so that they are facing away from you (this is a good tip from Flatband). It makes a big difference, but not essential. Re-assemble. Make sure the screws are tight!

- cover the black plastic cap and the prongs (up to the point where they bend to go vertical) with rubber tubes cut off at the end of the prong. This is essential! Doing this gives the flatbands a rubber sleeve to grip on to, protects them, and makes them easier to tie securely onto the forks. Use discarded barnett bands or get some cheap tubes (the yellow bands found in Pound shops are ideal and fit for nothing else)

- use soft natural fibre string (not nylon or similar - it will cut into the bands) to securely tie the bands on. If you can get hold of a ball of knitting cotton its ideal, or parcel string is ok. Loop round the band and prong once, then tie a half knot to secure the band in place, keep looping and use half knots, pulling the string as tight as poss. Finish off with a knot under the prong - not on top - and secure the knot with a drop of superglue or clear nail varnish.

- definitely replace the plastic wrist strap - it breaks easily anyway - with a strip of nylon webbing or leather superglued and sewn into place. This isn't as difficult or a fiddly as it sounds.

Getting hold of flat latex or gum ruber is not easy in the UK- nigh impossible. You can import it from the States, but its easier to buy flat Theraband. Just Google it. I use leather for pouches cut from an old leather apron, but you can use toungues from shoes, or possibly buy leather pieces from Attleborough Accessories.

Hope this helps

Sneaky · Posted: Thu Sep 10, 2009 6:03 pm Post subject:

I take of the tube bands, and put on the flatbands just over the top of the fork. Then I use several tightly wrapped layers of electrical tape. Stretch the bands, then put on two or three more layers. I have never had any come loose this way.

I also buy all my bands from Flatband

Flatband · Joined: 09 Aug 2006 Posts: 513 Location: New Jersey

The other way,and the way I presently use on a rod frame, is to put the flat bands up against the outside of the prong and then wrap strips of latex or thin rubber bands around the band and the post(you can also use soft cotton string-but wrap very tight). This method makes the bands go through the throat and you can use the uppermost prong as a sort of aiming tool. It may seem a little hairy at first but those little strips of rubber wound real tight really exert some pressure on those bands against the post. I've never had one loosen up on me yet. Both ways are really good. I'll attach a picture of an old Saunders Falcon 2 that I rigged flats on in this fashion. Flatband

Monkeyboab · Joined: 04 Sep 2009 Posts: 12 Location: Scotland

Thanks for the replies guys i'll get to work

Rob

_________________
Elements of the past and future combining to make something not quite as good as either