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Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: buckeyebowhunter on November 21, 2007, 10:28:00 PM

Title: More Woodie Questions
Post by: buckeyebowhunter on November 21, 2007, 10:28:00 PM
Sorry for all these questions guys I'm just curious. But thats what this forums for anyway. I was wondering what spine of arrows I would need. My Bow is 60# My draw is about 28 inches. And I was wondering if most wood arrows are straight right out of the box, if not how do you straighten them. My last question for now is when gluin on your broadheads how do you make sure they're good n straight on the shaft, without buying a forty dollar spin tester. I'm wondering all about wooden arrows because I'm just starting to get into them, Ive only used Easton Legacys.
Title: Re: More Woodie Questions
Post by: longbowben on November 21, 2007, 10:36:00 PM
Title: Re: More Woodie Questions
Post by: **DONOTDELETE** on November 21, 2007, 10:36:00 PM
some will say the same weight....others will say add 5-10#'s... Also need more info... what type of bow, how close to center cut is it, what type of string, what point weight do you plain on using.

I would say 29"BOP 125grn points to start with and try 70-75# shafts & tune per O.L.'s website.
Title: Re: More Woodie Questions
Post by: Hot Hap on November 22, 2007, 05:03:00 AM
After mounting the BH just spin it on your workbench and watch the shaft where it meets the BH. Should be no wobble.
To straighten I spin the shaft on my thumb and forefinger while sighting down the shaft looking for bends. If I find one I bend it in the opposite direction on the heel of my hand. Once or twice is usually enough to get it straight. Hap
Title: Re: More Woodie Questions
Post by: buckeyebowhunter on November 22, 2007, 08:01:00 AM
Mysticguido I'm shooting a longbow, It's center cut, it's not a selfbow. I'm shooting a dacron string and I'll probably shoot 125 gr. Woodsman broadheads. The arrows that I have right now are 29 inch 65-70# Easton Legacys.
Title: Re: More Woodie Questions
Post by: Keith361 on November 22, 2007, 08:29:00 AM
You can also use a piece of dowel rod with a cup hook screwed into one end to straighten your shafts.
I agree with using your hand while sighting down the shaft, but if you lay the shaft on a flat surface and roll it and still find a "high" spot you can straighten it with this method.
Just make a small mark at the spot with a pencil, then put the cup hook over that spot and gently rub the spot down.
You going to want to check the straightness again when you're done by sighting down the shaft, and make adjustments if needed.

As far as the heads go, once you get them glued onto the shafts, stand them up on the head on a flat surface and spin it. If you notice a wobble re-heat the tip, just enough to get the glue soft again, and re-adjust it's position till it spins straight. One word of caution, be very careful when re-adjusting the head, even if you haven't sharpened them yet they can still do a bunch of damage to your hand in a hurry.

Good luck and have fun!

Keith
Title: Re: More Woodie Questions
Post by: aromakr on November 22, 2007, 10:26:00 AM
buckeye:
With your bow center cut and your arrows cut to 29" BOP I would select 70/74's and I suspect that's what your Easton shafts are also if your using the Easton charts.
As to straightening. I prefer to hand straighten, as mentioned above sight down the arrow and bend over the heal of your hand in the opposite direction. Your will find this task easier if you heat the shaft in the area of the bend first. I use a heat shrink gun, but a hot plate or electric stove works also. Just get them hot enough  so you can still handle them. I don't like the hook method, as I believe the hook will crush the wood cells and make that portion of the shaft weaker.
Good advise about just spinning the broadhead on its point.
Bob
Title: Re: More Woodie Questions
Post by: Molson on November 22, 2007, 11:52:00 AM
70's are probably a good place to start.  Don't just cut them and taper at your length though.  Leave them long so they're a bit weak and cut down to tune.  If they end up tuning in an inch longer than you need, you can still use them and you'll know to buy 5# lighter next time.  When you retaper, scrape or sand the glue off first to keep your taper blade sharp.

If you choose to bare shaft wood, be careful!  They can develop cracks that you don't notice or can't even see from striking the target at an angle.  I recommend using O.L.'s wide broadhead on a fletched shaft technique until you get more familiar with woods.
Title: Re: More Woodie Questions
Post by: buckeyebowhunter on November 22, 2007, 01:19:00 PM
I was gonna get prefletched arrows I was just skeptical about what length and spine I would need, you guys think it would be best to buy a taper tool and cut them and taper them myself, rather than have 3 rivers cut and taper them for me?
Title: Re: More Woodie Questions
Post by: **DONOTDELETE** on November 22, 2007, 01:39:00 PM
Yes, taper them yourself this way you can fine tune and figure out the right spine..
Title: Re: More Woodie Questions
Post by: buckeyebowhunter on November 22, 2007, 02:57:00 PM
Tru Center Taper Tool a good choice?
Title: Re: More Woodie Questions
Post by: **DONOTDELETE** on November 22, 2007, 03:12:00 PM
I have heard bad things about that one... I use the one that looks like a pencil sharpner
Title: Re: More Woodie Questions
Post by: buckeyebowhunter on November 22, 2007, 03:44:00 PM
Where could I order it?
Title: Re: More Woodie Questions
Post by: buckeyebowhunter on November 22, 2007, 03:49:00 PM
I just thought of another question for you guys, how do you know what diameter the arrows are? I was thinkin about gettin some of the Barta arrows from three rivers but it doesnt say what diameter they are.
Title: Re: More Woodie Questions
Post by: KodiakBob on November 22, 2007, 05:23:00 PM
Wooden arrows are great and a lot of work to make. 3 Rivers has the pencil type taper tools, but grinding the tapers is the way to go. I have heard good things about the Tred arrows. If you want to make perfect arrows then get ready to spend some bucks, fletch jig (Bitz best), dip tubes, feathers, grain scale, grinder, Woodchuck is nice, arrow straightner, I use an AAE, torch for points. If you buy shafts and don't have a grinder pay to get the nock tapers ground. Just my two cents.
Title: Re: More Woodie Questions
Post by: Molson on November 22, 2007, 07:37:00 PM
Get the pencil type sharpener.  Buy two.  Don't waste your money on the Tru Center.  Grinding is the best way but you're just getting started. You can always even out the tapers with sandpaper if you need to.

Not sure the diameter of the Barta arrows but typically in cedars you'll get 11/32 up to 65 or 70# and 23/64 from 60# on up.  That's not to say you can't get heavier shafts in 11/32 or lighter in 23/64.  You just need to ask.
Title: Re: More Woodie Questions
Post by: buckeyebowhunter on November 22, 2007, 09:17:00 PM
Molson where could I order the pencil type sharpener??
Title: Re: More Woodie Questions
Post by: buckeyebowhunter on November 22, 2007, 09:27:00 PM
Never Mind I believe I found it The BearPaw Taper tool at three rivers, Does it work for all diameter arrows? Does it do a good job for how cheap it is? And whats wrong with the True Center?
Title: Re: More Woodie Questions
Post by: **DONOTDELETE** on November 23, 2007, 08:25:00 AM
each one is set for a size 5/16, 11/32 & 23/64... I only shoot 11/32 shafts so that is the one I got. 11/32 is the popular size out there...
Title: Re: More Woodie Questions
Post by: aromakr on November 23, 2007, 10:32:00 AM
buckeye:
The problem with most taper tools if the "shaft guide", its a hole and unless the shaft fits snuggly in the hole it can tip to one side causing the taper to endup crooked, making a crooked nock. Thats why grinding the tapers is the most accurate, the guide is a "V" cut. The shaft will always be aligned properly, regardless of its size, and the taper is adjustable so it can be fine tuned to your nocks.
Bob
Title: Re: More Woodie Questions
Post by: Molson on November 23, 2007, 10:52:00 AM
The Tru Center I had would not lock down at all.  The blade screws just would not keep enough tension on the blade. The blade would float and dig in to the shaft.  

In fairness to the Tru Center, I purchased mine around 10 years ago.  I don't know if they've made any changes to it since then, but if not, I wouldn't buy one.

What Bob says above is correct, even with the pencil type.  You can correct it though with experience and some good sandpaper.  Just takes some work.

I use a Woodchuck and would recommend it to anyone.  You can get the same job done with a jig and any belt or disc sander, but I like the all-in-one portability of the Woodchuck.
Title: Re: More Woodie Questions
Post by: buckeyebowhunter on November 23, 2007, 07:59:00 PM
Problem is fellas with balancing sports and school I dont realy have time to get a job therefore probably cannot afford one right now. I'm just lookin for a temporary solution that will be user friendly to a beginner.
Title: Re: More Woodie Questions
Post by: buckeyebowhunter on November 23, 2007, 08:02:00 PM
What size pencil sharpener should I get if my arrows are gonna be spined 70-75#,cause it doesnt say what the diameter is for them at three rivers.
Title: Re: More Woodie Questions
Post by: Aeronut on November 23, 2007, 08:16:00 PM
Here are some ideas if you already have some power tools.

Nock & point taper jig.
  http://tradgang.com/noncgi/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=2;t=000059#000000  

Shaft straightening.
  http://tradgang.com/noncgi/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=2;t=000060#000000  

You don't actually need a heat gun or hair dryer to heat straighten shafts.  I can straighten Hickory by just briskly rubbing the shaft in my hand until it gets warm/hot (doesn't take very long) and then bending with the heel of my hand.  It is very easy to do.  If I can straighten a Hickory shaft that way all the others are a piece of cake.

Dennis
Title: Re: More Woodie Questions
Post by: buckeyebowhunter on November 23, 2007, 09:05:00 PM
Hickory makes as tough a shaft as it does a bow.