What's everyone use for gluing inserts into carbon arrows? I've always used hot melt glue but I received some inserts from gold tip and it said not to use hot melt glue on them. Just curious what everyone else uses.
Thanks
I use the low temperature glue sticks from Big Jim. Never had a problem. On all my shafts including carbon.
Same here...Big Jims glue sticks.
Kimsha hot melt available through 3Rivers. Are they the long Gold Tip inserts? If so, I've used that on them and not had any issues with them holding in place or with removing them either.
I use Devcon 2 part epoxy for 15 years on insert for carbon, Aluminum and gluing points and broadheads on wood arrows,
+3 for Big Jim
Jeff Phillips has good videos on how to do it. He and Trevor at TTT strings have had good luck with Gorilla hot glue sticks.
Just do not ever heat the shaft with a flame or heat the insert too hot.
Kimsha works well too. Randy from Safari-Tuff sells Kimsha and recommends for their carbon shafts.
The Gorilla glue does seem to melt at a lower temp than Kimsha. I'll have to try some Big Jim's hot melt glue sometime.
I usually cool the shaft right away with water just to be safe.
I like being able to change the insert weight or shaft length later when you use a good hot melt glue instead of epoxy.
I have tried many different glues for inserts and carbon shafts. The glue like Big Jim's works fine. Heat from a candle is all you need. I use a DNA lamp. I found Super Glue's do not like hard hits like wood target frames. Epoxy is usually permanent so changing inserts is out.
Bg Jims Hotmelt. I don't know where he gets it but I hope it never runs out. As you know, just don't apply heat to the carbon shaft.
Thanks for all the replies. I've always used hot melt glue myself with no problems. Guess I'll continue to use it.
I've found that it is also possible to scorch the inside of the shaft by overheating glue-in points, even though there is no direct heat applied to the carbon shaft. I don't think this would be as much of a problem with aluminum inserts, because they lose their heat pretty fast. However, try holding the carbon shaft near the end right after gluing in a glue-in point. If it is too hot to hold onto, then the glue-in point was overheated, at least in my opinion. Also, if you have occasion to remove a glue-in point later on and shreds of carbon fiber come out along with the point, then that is a pretty good indication that the inside of the shaft was destroyed either in the process of installing the point or when the point was heated up to remove it.
Any hot melt while I am figuring it out.....JB Weld once I know things are permanent.
A tip I picked up somewhere is I have a container with water near by when I am heating up inserts. After I get the insert in the shaft and wipe off any excess I plunge the end into the water. Cools off everything quickly.
I wonder if GT had a complaint from someone who melted a shaft so the "no heat" recommendation? Or, to sell more of their SG?
Big Jim never failed me!
Quote from: M60gunner on November 06, 2025, 06:17:05 PMA tip I picked up somewhere is I have a container with water near by when I am heating up inserts. After I get the insert in the shaft and wipe off any excess I plunge the end into the water. Cools off everything quickly.
I wonder if GT had a complaint from someone who melted a shaft so the "no heat" recommendation? Or, to sell more of their SG?
I was curious myself. I've always used hot melt glue and I was curious as to why gold tip said to not use hot melt.
there is a big difference between HOT melt and LOW Temp hot melt when gluing carbons. Just ask Big Jim
Another recommendation for Big Jim's hot melt. It has always worked great for me.
Quote from: trad_bowhunter1965 on November 05, 2025, 08:58:08 AMI use Devcon 2 part epoxy for 15 years on insert for carbon, Aluminum and gluing points and broadheads on wood arrows,
Well all you guys raving about Big Jim Hot melt glue I going to give it a try.
Big Jim's hot melt best I have used.
Gorilla glue sticks work gooder for me!
Another vote for cool melt. Not sure why a mfg would admit their product doesn't 'adhere' to the same laws of science that others do??