First let me say, I've missed you all.
I haven't had a lot of time in the last year or so and I'm behind a bit on my reading here. I did a check of some of the build alongs and I haven't found any that discuss what I intend to work out in this discussion. If there is interest, I would like to do a long discussion of how to build trad arrows from scratch in any shop using regular wood tools that almost every wood hobbyist has. We can do arrows that are self nocked, tapered and even done from lumber or timber. The discussion can show every step. everybody that has looked at my earlier stuff here knows that I will give away all of the secrets to building arrows. I will post copious pics on another server and even incorporate other machines that some of you members have built if you want to email me pics. So like I said, I'm going to build a bunch of arrows, all are welcome to follow along if they want to learn. In fact, post to let me know if you are interested and let me know if there are things that you want to learn. I will try to help step by step. THERE IS NO REASON THAT TRULY TRAD PEOPLE SHOULDN'T BE ABLE TO CREATE THEIR OWN GEAR. EXCEPT WHEN TIME GETS IN THE WAY.
Good to see you all again.
fletch
I would like to see how you do it.
The main question for me is: how do you know your wood is going to make shafts that spine out where you want them to? Or do you make a bunch, and use the ones that turn out closest to your desired spine.
sounds good can't wait to read along
i would love to see some shafts made from simple hand tools...like a planer, knife, sand paper etc...
I'll get started with pics tomorrow. For me simple tools are machines that I build out of other machines that I have, e.g. dowel maker from a router and taper machine from a sander. I also like reinforced self nocks. This should all be very fun. I've been out of it for about a year so I'm getting my wood legs back. The shop is shaping up nicely.
fletch
Hey Mike!
Glad to see your still around these parts. Looking forward to your build alonge.
Terry
Yes, self nocks and how you do footed arrows. Thanks.
I'm looking forward to following along.
Man I would love to see how footing is done! :p
Making arrows for timber and saplings is awesome! I am just finishing up some river cane arrows and have a bundle of wild rose wood seasoning. :archer:
Howdy Stranger.......
Folks, if anybody know about building arrows it's this guy right here! and don't let him buff ya, he builds a pretty mean bow too. Good to see ya around again Bud. Looking forward to picking up some pro hints.
Dave
Let's do it! Self nocks, tapered shafts, how to cut the lumber, make dowels, and then arrows.
I make most all my own gear. Just never had the chance to build, learn to build, an arrow from scratch.
Thanks, Johnny/JAG
I'm extremely interested in this process and will definitely be watching along.
Thanks for sharing the knowledge!
I'm ready to learn how to construct trad arrows.
Count me in. I would love to learn how to construct my own arrows. :thumbsup:
I'm interested too. I have some damascus hand forged heads that I want to mount on some wood shafts with sinew...?
This sounds great to me. I'm listening!
Yeah!! :readit: What Fletcher Said!! :archer: :goldtooth:
Rick, (Fletcher)
You're being too modest, you should be doing a build along, how-to too......Guys, these are the Masters!........
Dave
I've been fletching a few arrow shafts just to get my skills back in order. I think I'm almost up to speed. In this discussion we will attack several things at different times and not necessarily from the beginning. First we will do reinforced self nocking and tapering as they are pretty simple. The only real tool that you need to have is a 4 inch sander. I will have the kid take some shots later of me using it. this ca also be done on a 6 inch sander but I save that one for real work in my shop. I also think I will save this discussion in an email form and send it out to all those that want it in a few weeks. At least the instructional parts. I'm going to build about 20 or so dozen self nocked tapered shafts so it might take a little bit to get to each part.
PS Good to see you too Terry and everybody else. feel free to email me at michael.fletcher@comcast.net for anything and especially just to say hello. that goes for everybody (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v498/fletcharrows/Arrow%20Buildalong/trad%20arrow%20buildalong/P1010052.jpg) (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v498/fletcharrows/Arrow%20Buildalong/trad%20arrow%20buildalong/P1010053.jpg)
fletch
My first answer to a question is to PJSNELL. How do we get the spine we want? It is actually pretty easy. the weight of the arrow is far more difficult to match. I will show you how to make a simple machine from a router and a piece of wood that will turn out a 3/8" dowel using a drill for rotation. then you will sand the shaft on the 4 inch grinder. You can keep spining the shaft till it gets right where you need it. Then we taper the shaft to 5/16 at the nock to even out all paradox within the set. In other words the nock ends are all the same so the final stress on the spine is all the same. This way each arrow leaves the shelf the same way. We can address the numerous ways to get to the same weights later but you will find that it is pretty easy to get close in sets of 3 and 6 arrows. this works great for hardwood dowels at the lumber yard as well.
back soon.
fletch
http://www.highlandwoodworking.com/index.asp?PageAction=Custom&ID=53
This is a great link to shop built dowel cutter. It is the same thing I intended to show you. this will save me some time for sure.
fletch
this is going to be a good one.
Looking forward to it.
Alright - sorry about the delays. I was at the hospital all day with a kid. I will post first thing in the Am. I got 27 or dozen arrows sanded and ready for the saw so I can put in the nock reinforcements. I cant wait to get to gluing them up. It will take me a couple of days to glue that many.
fletch
I got the arrows ready to begin. (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v498/fletcharrows/Arrow%20Buildalong/trad%20arrow%20buildalong/P1010010.jpg)
As you can see I made a simple sanding jig for a 4 inch sander. the jig is just a piece of aluminum angle with sandpaper on suspended over the sanding platen. The shaft is spun through with a drill. My shafts are a bit over sized after I make them so I sand them to size with a few passes through the sander. Note the tube that catches the shaft to keep it from wobbling.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v498/fletcharrows/Arrow%20Buildalong/trad%20arrow%20buildalong/P1010001.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v498/fletcharrows/Arrow%20Buildalong/trad%20arrow%20buildalong/P1010002.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v498/fletcharrows/Arrow%20Buildalong/trad%20arrow%20buildalong/P1010003.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v498/fletcharrows/Arrow%20Buildalong/trad%20arrow%20buildalong/P1010004.jpg)
The next thing that I will do is reinforce the shaft so that it wont split when I self nock it. I use rawhide for reinforcement but many things can be used from Ivory and bone to rawhide or hard wood. Most of you will want to spine the shafts while you are sanding to get to the correct spine weight. I will spine all of mine after I get the rawhide in as I don't care what the final spine is. I will have pics of spining and getting the rawhide in tomorrow. Ask away on the Q's.
fletch
It appears from the pictures that the sander is not running. Is that for demo purposes, or do you just have a really good camera?
Interesting jig for sizing. Why not just take them to the correct size on the router?
TTT
come on lets see some more!!!
The sander is running and it took the pics while I sanded that shaft. OK - next step. we have to cut the shaft parallel with the grain to inlay reinforcement for the nock.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v498/fletcharrows/Arrow%20Buildalong/trad%20arrow%20buildalong/D16.jpg)
Then you apply glue to the "in this case I use rawhide" and clamp it into the slot of the shaft. Make sure to put glue on both sides of the rawhide.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v498/fletcharrows/Arrow%20Buildalong/trad%20arrow%20buildalong/D17.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v498/fletcharrows/Arrow%20Buildalong/trad%20arrow%20buildalong/D18.jpg)
Here is what the finished product will look like when we get done in a week or so.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v498/fletcharrows/Arrow%20Buildalong/trad%20arrow%20buildalong/D22.jpg)
BIG NOTE. I will be gone for several days for work. I will post as soon as I get back. Also remember that I am building 25+ dozen of these at once and it takes a few minutes to get through each step. I Know I'm a bit out of control. Feel free to bring the post back to the top during my absence. When I get back we will clean up the rawhide, taper the shaft and cut in the string groove as well as make the nock comfortable for the hand. I'm also looking for brass tacks to shorten and put into the sides like Fred Bear did with his personal arrows. See ya real soon.
fletch
Rawhide? Are you using leather to reinforce the Nock? I always just used hardwood. Never would of thought of using leather. :confused:
What are the brass tacks for again? I have never heard of the brass tacks and Fred Bear arrows before... :confused:
So, after you glue the rawhide in the cut area, do you split the rawhide? If so, how! Am I jumping ahead again Professor? lol
ttt
WilliamMcC,
Brass tacks are for an "indexer" for the nock so you can feel which side is the cock feather.
Makes sense, the Tacks. I am AMAZED :thumbsup: and Would LOVE to have this as an Email!! :notworthy: My Jaw keeps falling on my Spacebar!! OUTSTANDING!! Maybe, I can make Arrows as Nice as Fletchs', I can DREAM , Cant I? :confused: :archer: :goldtooth:
WOW - I got back from my job and was ready to start the reinforcing and I found out that Titebond II can go bad. Smells funny and runs real slow. A dozen arrow nock reinforcements came loose. I'm getting new glue and will get back right away.
fletch
ttt
It JUST Aint Right! Cant Count on Adhesives,Whats The World Coming Too???? :scared: :readit: :banghead: :banghead:
Did you find any good glue yet?
I love this kind of stuff :bigsmyl: :clapper: ...Van
Im trying to keep up and understand this... :knothead: :rolleyes:
:thumbsup:
ttt
ttt
Good stuff! Keep it comin
I was digging through old posts and saw this.
Are you going to continue Professor or did you start another post on it?
I'm working with wood shafts (trying to foot some) and was just wondering what the experts do.
Really interested in finishing.
i just saw that pic of all those arrows in the rack.. ready to shoot and got sic
Are you cutting the notch with the grain for the nock? I would think you would cutting it cross grain so the shaft won't split....or did I just not see this correctly?
He hasn't posted since May 2nd, hope everything is alright.
I'm stupid!
He has a build along posted also.
I still would like to see how this turned out.
ttt
ttt
I'm Very interested in this build-a-long!Count me in.
Fletch great how to! I was looking at your sanding set up and wondering if you offset the jig a little so that you aren't loading up a thin line on the belt. I am going to make one!