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Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: Smallwood on March 28, 2010, 04:37:00 PM

Title: help picking which wood spine/stu's calculator
Post by: Smallwood on March 28, 2010, 04:37:00 PM
bow-
black widow plv longbow (cut to center)(+1/16" with strike plate)
54#@26"(my draw)
18 strand fast flight plus string.
The bow specs on the DSC showed = 57.4#

My wife bought me everything I need to start making wood arrows, but I want some help finding the right spine shafts to purchase.

I want to use 125grn points on the wood shafts and want to cut them 27"bop w/5" feathers.
Using the dynamic spine calc.         :readit:          I came up with an AMO arrow static spine of 48# (which is a 57.5# dynamic spine on the dsc)for my setup.

Does this sound right, Opinions on getting the correct arrow for my setup would be greatly appreciated.I can tune carbon/aluminum arrows, but I know nothing about picking wood arrows.
 :help:  
thanks,
sammy
Title: Re: help picking which wood spine/stu's calculator
Post by: frassettor on March 28, 2010, 04:56:00 PM
Boy you better get a stiff spine!. Those Widows love stiff spined arrows! When I shot woods I shot tapered Hickories (80-85#) cut to 29" with a 160 tip. They flew great, but to be honest with you I could have went a little heavier in spine mabey another 5 pounds or so.
Those are out of my 2 Widow PL's..(see below).

Hope this helps  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: help picking which wood spine/stu's calculator
Post by: Bowferd on March 28, 2010, 05:01:00 PM
Sammy, I've been using wood and bamboo the past couple years and my personal experience has me going heavier spine than what is called for.
I would try at minimum 60-65# spine in wood.
Maybe Don Stokes will see the post and jump in to help you out.
He has a wealth of knowledge to share.
Title: Re: help picking which wood spine/stu's calculator
Post by: vtmtnman on March 28, 2010, 05:05:00 PM
I say 60-65.
Title: Re: help picking which wood spine/stu's calculator
Post by: Bowferd on March 28, 2010, 05:10:00 PM
Sam, I just punched in the numbers and came up with 64.4 on Stu's calculator.
I also belive that the BW likes a stiff spine.
I would go no less than 65-70#
Title: Re: help picking which wood spine/stu's calculator
Post by: Benny Nganabbarru on March 28, 2010, 05:17:00 PM
Your draw weight plus five straight-off: 54+5=59.

59 plus five for a low-stretch string: 59+5=64.

64 plus five for being cut to centre: 64+5=69.

69 minus five for each inch of arrow under 28": 69-5=64.

This is for use with 125 to 145 grain tips. Every 25 grains over 145, you add five pounds.

Danny Rowan told me this, and it has worked very well indeed.

So, you could pick either 60/65# or 65/70#. I'd be leaning toward picking the stiffer option.
Title: Re: help picking which wood spine/stu's calculator
Post by: frassettor on March 28, 2010, 05:31:00 PM
QuoteOriginally posted by Ben Kleinig:
Your draw weight plus five straight-off: 54+5=59.

59 plus five for a low-stretch string: 59+5=64.

64 plus five for being cut to centre: 64+5=69.

69 minus five for each inch of arrow under 28": 69-5=64.

This is for use with 125 to 145 grain tips. Every 25 grains over 145, you add five pounds.

Danny Rowan told me this, and it has worked very well indeed.

So, you could pick either 60/65# or 65/70#. I'd be leaning toward picking the stiffer option.
Your absolutly right Ben! Black Widow says the same thing
Title: Re: help picking which wood spine/stu's calculator
Post by: sagebrush on March 28, 2010, 05:36:00 PM
Whatever spine you choose, just remember that it is just the starting point. If you hit it right the first time feel lucky. Every shooter is a little different and requires a little different arrow.That's why they have those spine test kits. So you can make sure what works with you and your bow. If I shot that bow I would use 55-60. But my specs are a little different than yours. Gary
Title: Re: help picking which wood spine/stu's calculator
Post by: Don Stokes on March 28, 2010, 09:02:00 PM
Sammy, most of the Widows I've tested like lots of spine. My spine chart based on bare-shaft testing calls for 70-75#. If you have a bow quiver or heavy string silencers on the bow, you might need to go down 5#.

If they're too stiff you can add point weight, but it's harder to compensate for arrows that are too weak.
Title: Re: help picking which wood spine/stu's calculator
Post by: Bill Carlsen on March 29, 2010, 09:15:00 AM
Listen to Don Stokes....you need a much stiffer arrow than your first calculation.
Title: Re: help picking which wood spine/stu's calculator
Post by: Smallwood on March 30, 2010, 04:35:00 PM
ttt
Title: Re: help picking which wood spine/stu's calculator
Post by: Ground Hunter on March 30, 2010, 04:42:00 PM
What Ben said - the stiffer end of it the better.  My 57# PLX will shoot 85-90 tapered poc with a 190 point.  H
Title: Re: help picking which wood spine/stu's calculator
Post by: Van/TX on March 30, 2010, 08:38:00 PM
Agree with Sagebrush. The other suggestions seem very stiff to me...Van
Title: Re: help picking which wood spine/stu's calculator
Post by: Outwest on March 30, 2010, 09:33:00 PM
Ben

With that formula what does one do for each inch of arrow over 28". Add 5# ?

John
Title: Re: help picking which wood spine/stu's calculator
Post by: hkmp5 on April 01, 2010, 12:18:00 AM
Hello Sammy,
Most Widows are cut at 3/16" past center and that is why they have the reputation of liking a high spine arrow.  
If your strike is truly at 1/16 shy of center then 48# is right at a 27" BOP with 125 grain point.

-Stu
Title: Re: help picking which wood spine/stu's calculator
Post by: Bowferd on April 01, 2010, 01:14:00 AM
Stu,
I respect your opinion. But being you can't purchase woodies 48#, would you recommend in Sammys situation to go with 45-50's?
Fred
Title: Re: help picking which wood spine/stu's calculator
Post by: Don Stokes on April 01, 2010, 09:19:00 AM
Sammy, I just read your specs again- I was quoting what I would try for a recurve, not a longbow. I believe 65-70 would be better, cut 1/16 off center. I still think 48# is way too low.
Title: Re: help picking which wood spine/stu's calculator
Post by: Smallwood on April 03, 2010, 01:17:00 PM
Stu, Black widow cuts their pl longbows -  cut to center.
I think their recurves are indeed cut past center and that's why the recurves need such a high spine.

Fred, yes , the 48# (45-50#)recommended spine the calculator shows would mean I would need arrows in that spine range or more than likely in the(50-55#)spine range according to Stu's calculator.

I got some 65-70 and some 50-55 spine shafts, but haven't had a chance to shoot them yet to see which fly best or are closest to what the bow needs. Thanks for all your help guys.
Title: Re: help picking which wood spine/stu's calculator
Post by: Don Stokes on April 03, 2010, 10:24:00 PM
Please let us know what worked.
Title: Re: help picking which wood spine/stu's calculator
Post by: Bowferd on April 08, 2010, 11:17:00 PM
Sammy, just wondered what you were finding trying to tune those arrows.
Fred
Title: Re: help picking which wood spine/stu's calculator
Post by: Smallwood on April 10, 2010, 01:17:00 PM
I think the 50/55#s are the way to go, the 65/70s
are just way too stiff and both the bare shafts and fletched shafts hit noticeably way left of the target compared to the 50/55s hitting right where i/m looking...
ie. the center of the target.
Title: Re: help picking which wood spine/stu's calculator
Post by: wingnut on April 10, 2010, 01:32:00 PM
what arrow are you shooting on it now.  If it flys perfect put it into the calc to establish a starting point.

I've found that most folks overestimate the performace of their bow but if you can set a stake in the ground with an existing arrow it makes it much easier.

Mike
Title: Re: help picking which wood spine/stu's calculator
Post by: Smallwood on April 10, 2010, 02:41:00 PM
Mike, I have shot carbons for years and am currently shooting a 27" gold tip trad 35/55s with 100grn insert and 125grn points out of it.
The wood arrow thing is all new to me, but the 50/55s seem to be flying well.
  :archer2: