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Main Boards => The Bowyer's Bench => Topic started by: C. Johnson on December 18, 2017, 08:27:00 AM
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In addition to making bows, I like to make my own arrow shafts as well. I know, I'm a sick monkey and a glutton for punishment. But, I enjoy making my own equipment.
Anyway, I've had good success with poplar. I've been buying excellent 4/4, quarter sawn stock from MacBeath out of California. I've been experimenting with some other woods, most notably Douglas Fir. I can occasionally find a nice piece of clear vertical grain fir at Woodcraft, but it's pretty hit or miss.
So, can anyone tell me where I could buy some old growth, high quality Doug Fir, Sitka spruce, or even Port Orford cedar as lumber suitable for shaft material?
Google seems to be keeping this information a secret.... ;)
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I hand plane white pine into arrows. I buy from Home Depot and have some old boards I inherited from Dad.
I like to inspect my lumber for straightness and tightness of grain so early have not bought any from otherwise.
Jawge
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just be careful of using wood that has been kiln dried, the process can really damage the wood on a cell structural level!