Analysis, Discussion and Tips for Success

General Discussion

Crossbow strings are, of course, the crossbow equivalent of regular bow strings. In addition to being used in the same way, making them has the same skill requirements and they are crafted at the same speed.

One important difference between bow strings and crossbow strings, though, is that the former have much higher supply and demand than the latter. First, regular bow strings are made from flax, while crossbow strings are made usually from sinew, an animal product you can make by drying raw beef or raw bear meat on a range. Flax is easy to get in large amounts, but making sinew is time-consuming and has no XP benefits, so players don't really like doing it very much; spinning crossbow strings isn't worthwhile unless you can buy the sinew, though. Crossbows also aren't made in nearly as large numbers as regular bows, either, so check prices before investing in this activity.

Note that you can also spin crossbow strings using low-level tree roots, such as those that are byproducts of farming oak, willow or maple trees. These are often cheaper than sinew, but supply is very limited -- try to buy them if you can, but don't assume you'll be able to!

Location and Access

The closest spinning wheel to a bank for lower level players is the one on the middle floor of Lumbridge Castle. Players who have completed at least the medium tasks of the Seers' Village Achievement Diary earn the Seers Headband 2, which reduces spinning time by a full third; this tips the balance in favor of spinning in Seers' Village (though not by a great deal).

Since the medium tasks of the diary require skills in the mid to upper 40s, I assume an average skill level of 47 (the same as that used by the magpie familiar, for simplicity).

Required and Recommended Equipment

Seer's headband 2 or 3 if spinning at Seers' Village; otherwise, none.

Required and Recommended Supplies

One piece of sinew or one set of tree roots per crossbow string.

Familiar Suggestions

Summon a foraging familiar to earn extra money for you while you work -- I prefer the magpie, given the high value of rings and gems today. There isn't a really worthwhile forager below Summoning level 47, so I wouldn't bother with a familiar at lower levels.

Technique and Tips

This process is pretty simple for all players: take out a load of flax, run to the spinning wheel and click it. Right-click the crossbow string, choose "Make All" and wait. Return to the bank and then repeat.