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Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: cacciatore on February 18, 2010, 11:11:00 PM

Title: Do you spine test your arrows
Post by: cacciatore on February 18, 2010, 11:11:00 PM
Do you spine test your own arrows.I am usedto do that and this explain why some arrows fly crazy.Also some lots of carbon are not really consistent in spine.When i hunt I want to be sure I get the best,for practice I can use blems too.
Title: Re: Do you spine test your arrows
Post by: lpcjon2 on February 18, 2010, 11:16:00 PM
No, but I should,I have faith that they are what they say they are.Time to but a spine tester!
Title: Re: Do you spine test your arrows
Post by: Bjorn on February 18, 2010, 11:22:00 PM
Test every shaft with the 'spine-o-meter' made by cupcake. It is terriffic!
Title: Re: Do you spine test your arrows
Post by: Jim Curlee on February 19, 2010, 12:06:00 AM
Test every one with my old Scheib.
Jim
Title: Re: Do you spine test your arrows
Post by: Hud on February 19, 2010, 01:01:00 AM
Yes, it is hard to get good wood shafts and I like to check weigh and check the spine.

I think your right about some carbon shafts, the spline needs to be aligned with the nock the same on each arrow.
Title: Re: Do you spine test your arrows
Post by: DesertDude on February 19, 2010, 01:06:00 AM
I test each and EVERY shaft no matter if it's wood or carbon....I also Use the "Spine-O-Meter".
You would be surprised how many shafts are miss marked. (both carbon & wood).....
Title: Re: Do you spine test your arrows
Post by: Hot Hap on February 19, 2010, 01:11:00 AM
I check them all with a Ace Spine Master. Hap
Title: Re: Do you spine test your arrows
Post by: Brian Krebs on February 19, 2010, 01:53:00 AM
it is the toughest thing about archery IMHO.
Title: Re: Do you spine test your arrows
Post by: Don Stokes on February 19, 2010, 02:01:00 AM
Absolutely!
Title: Re: Do you spine test your arrows
Post by: michaelschwister on February 19, 2010, 03:48:00 AM
Yes, ever shaft for wood and carbon.  AL is always right on so I don't bother (2117=73, 2216=83# etc).
Title: Re: Do you spine test your arrows
Post by: Benny Nganabbarru on February 19, 2010, 04:19:00 AM
Nope. I buy hand-spined shafts from Surewood.
Title: Re: Do you spine test your arrows
Post by: James on laptop on February 19, 2010, 05:49:00 AM
No. not carbons. I shoot Easton/beman and have never had spine issues with them.I have checked lots of carbons in the past but no longer need to.
Title: Re: Do you spine test your arrows
Post by: Pops on February 19, 2010, 06:39:00 AM
Yes I do, spine and weigh ea. one and write
on the arrow next to the cock feather.
Title: Re: Do you spine test your arrows
Post by: Dave Pagel on February 19, 2010, 06:49:00 AM
I just set up my Ace wall mount model in my shop in the barn.  I was about 5# heavier than I thought my shafts were on each dozen.  I asked the Ace folks at Kalamazoo and they told me I would be heavier in the winter because of the cold in the non heated shop.  I feel better now.

Dave
Title: Re: Do you spine test your arrows
Post by: rraming on February 19, 2010, 07:07:00 AM
QuoteOriginally posted by Dave Pagel:
I just set up my Ace wall mount model in my shop in the barn.  I was about 5# heavier than I thought my shafts were on each dozen.  I asked the Ace folks at Kalamazoo and they told me I would be heavier in the winter because of the cold in the non heated shop.  I feel better now.

Dave
Do you think they were saying a particular shaft would spine 5 lbs heavier out in the cold (condensed wood cells) as compared to being in the heat or you would need a shaft 5 lbs heavier in the cold - or are these the same thing.

Yes I test the spine on every wood arrow I get, after getting a spine tester it really seemed silly not to have one if your going to shoot wood shafts. Some groups are not so good and if you buy bulk groups you have no choice.
Title: Re: Do you spine test your arrows
Post by: WESTBROOK on February 19, 2010, 08:45:00 AM
I test every wood shaft, I dont care who produced it, they're all human.

You set there and hand spine a couple hundred shafts, its such a repetative task, some "squirrels" are gonna sneak through.

Eric
Title: Re: Do you spine test your arrows
Post by: Old York on February 19, 2010, 09:42:00 AM
QuoteOriginally posted by WESTBROOK:
I test every wood shaft, I dont care who produced it, they're all human.

You set there and hand spine a couple hundred shafts, its such a repetative task, some "squirrels" are gonna sneak through.

Eric
Spot on Eric!
Title: Re: Do you spine test your arrows
Post by: WESTBROOK on February 19, 2010, 10:03:00 AM
I just use an Ace wall mount, it seem pretty darn accurate for me, consistent most importantly.

You can "calibrate/check" most any spine tester with a few aluminum arrows. You get the 28" deflection from Easton and put that in the conversion table on Stu's calculator and it will tell you what you should read at 26".

I've gotten #5 dozens that are really #8-12 spreads, from the "best in the business". Thats why I check'em all. Not really a big deal for me, but at least I know to cut them a little longer/shorter at the git-go.

Eric
Title: Re: Do you spine test your arrows
Post by: reddogge on February 19, 2010, 10:12:00 AM
I test every wood arrow I make and a lot for friends.
Title: Re: Do you spine test your arrows
Post by: GMMAT on February 19, 2010, 10:45:00 AM
I don't spine test any arrows.  What I have started doing is.....numbering each arrow (I get the very small stick on numbers from LAS).

If there's one in a group that's a "bad apple", it'll become evident.
Title: Re: Do you spine test your arrows
Post by: Jason R. Wesbrock on February 19, 2010, 11:35:00 AM
I use both Ace spine testers (wall mount and table top) and wouldn't think of fletching a shaft without first checking the spine. While I've never had a spine issue with Beman or Easton shafts, I've seen enough problems with other manufacturers to not take anything for granted. I'd rather discover a problem early than late.
Title: Re: Do you spine test your arrows
Post by: Bjorn on February 19, 2010, 11:48:00 AM
Why would anyone bother going to all the trouble of making an arrow out of a shaft that hasn't been tested? It is so basic. IMHO
Title: Re: Do you spine test your arrows
Post by: billy shipp on February 19, 2010, 12:06:00 PM
I mostly shoot wood arrows, but do occasionally shoot Aluminum, which I do not spine test, since they are pretty uniform. I WILL NOT shoot any wood shaft without spine testing first. I gave up on Carbons because of inconsistant spine.

I use a SPINE O Meter built by Kevin Gerlock.

I'm not wasting my time on wood shafts without checking the spine FIRST.
Title: Re: Do you spine test your arrows
Post by: Encino Man on February 19, 2010, 12:23:00 PM
I spine every shaft on my home made tester and mark the spine on each arrow . Cedar is a must to spine and the rest are for my reference.

If you go by the manufactures numbers and you buy from different manufacturers, their tester may be calibrated differently.
Title: Re: Do you spine test your arrows
Post by: TOEJAMMER on February 19, 2010, 01:04:00 PM
I do and am amazed at the wide range of spine in carbons that are supposedly of the same spine and group.  Aluminum never seems to vary.  Wood shafts always checked before making them into arrows.
Title: Re: Do you spine test your arrows
Post by: MercilessMing on February 19, 2010, 01:07:00 PM
Yes.  I check both spine and weight of all arrows.
Title: Re: Do you spine test your arrows
Post by: Arrow4Christ on February 19, 2010, 01:48:00 PM
Absolutely, and I think it can be just as essential with carbon arrows...never know when a wacked one can show up     :rolleyes:  

Craig
Title: Re: Do you spine test your arrows
Post by: snag on February 19, 2010, 02:01:00 PM
The last 200 Surewood shafts I bought I spined and weighed them and put them in groups. I like knowing that the shafts are matched sets. Taking that factor out of play is the first step in making good arrows...imho.
Title: Re: Do you spine test your arrows
Post by: Mudd on February 19, 2010, 02:35:00 PM
I'm sorry but it all is just so tedious and well... revolting to me..yuck!! I wish they had a pill I could take that would help me enjoy any part of making arrows.

I love a beautiful well crafted arrow.Love to watch then fly, hate injuring one but make them...nooooo thanks!!

God bless all the folks that enjoy doing it and I'm tickled pink there's more than just a few that do!!

God bless,Mudd
Title: Re: Do you spine test your arrows
Post by: snag on February 19, 2010, 05:06:00 PM
I understand Mudd. I have a friend that ties awesome trout flies. I bribe him to make me a few each year! I am just not going to tie a hopper with legs!!! But sure glad he does!  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Do you spine test your arrows
Post by: Earthdog on February 19, 2010, 06:19:00 PM
Not carbons but yes for woods.
I seldom shoot woods anymore anyway,but I resently needed some in a hurry so ordered them from a local mail order shop and one was maked at 55-60,while all the others were marked 50-55 as I'd ordered.
Straight away I contacted the shop an they told me they spine test every arrow before sending them out,and that arrow was mismarked and was really a 50-55.
So I checked for myself on a mates spine tester,and it came in close to 60lb.
I guess those guys have more bussiness than they need,an they don't need mine.
Title: Re: Do you spine test your arrows
Post by: LoneWolf73 on February 19, 2010, 07:45:00 PM
Nope, shoot them, use the ones that group the best for hunting. Send me your mis-spined arrows I'll put them to use.
Title: Re: Do you spine test your arrows
Post by: Roy Steele on February 19, 2010, 10:21:00 PM
I build and shoot nad hunt with selfbows so I build lots of arrows.So I start out with shafts already tested for that bow.By the time I shoot them 100 times or so.I seperate to different bundles.[LEFT,RIGHT HIGH ,LOW]That,that bow shoots best and where they hit at.Wood is wood and even if there the same weight nad leanth they still fly [hit] different.
Howard Hill always seperared his arrows into groups.This works good to get constence groups.
Title: Re: Do you spine test your arrows
Post by: Brian Krebs on February 20, 2010, 01:17:00 AM
Good heavens.

I guess its because my first arrows had suction cups on them; and I made my own for so long; and then bought arrows from sportsman's shops.

They had tall boxes; and each box a dozen arrows of purpose to a certain weight bow.

Because I can remember shooting arrows and marking them as to which way they shot. When I went hunting- I marked the arrows I had.... in the order of ability to hit the target.

I knew best when I had a perfect release; and perfect concentration; and when the arrow hit low of that; I marked it that way. Of course this was when I was in the GGW.  (  Great Groundhog War ).

Now- that I am into deer; elk and bears and lions and stuff-  I buy a dozen shafts at a time. Straighten and put a finish on them; and fletch them...put  a point on them... then I shoot them.

Then I judge the best arrows.

I always figured that the finish on the arrow may soak in more on one side or the other; the thickness could effect arrow flight- and that in the end... the proof was in the pudding...um er ~putting~ the arrows where they should go.

Actually buying a spine tester after all these years is kind of .... interesting...   :saywhat:
Title: Re: Do you spine test your arrows
Post by: Bowferd on February 20, 2010, 02:18:00 AM
YES
Title: Re: Do you spine test your arrows
Post by: ALDO on February 20, 2010, 04:25:00 AM
Yes I do and I shoot carbons.  I have found quite a spread on them and match them on the spine testor.