Trad Gang

Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: Rob DiStefano on January 19, 2011, 07:19:00 PM

Title: woot! gettin' the wood ready for spring ...
Post by: Rob DiStefano on January 19, 2011, 07:19:00 PM
surewood fir    :D  

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v82/rfdee/archery/woot1.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v82/rfdee/archery/woot2.jpg)
Title: Re: woot! gettin' the wood ready for spring ...
Post by: drewsbow on January 19, 2011, 07:21:00 PM
Man those are gunna be nice   :thumbsup:
Title: Re: woot! gettin' the wood ready for spring ...
Post by: GRINCH on January 19, 2011, 07:21:00 PM
Looks like the makings for some beautiful arrows.
Title: Re: woot! gettin' the wood ready for spring ...
Post by: doug77 on January 19, 2011, 07:25:00 PM
Dang Rob those are sweet. Did I read someware you use sharpies for the cresting.

doug77
Title: Re: woot! gettin' the wood ready for spring ...
Post by: lpcjon2 on January 19, 2011, 07:26:00 PM
Very sweat Rob,Do you ever use a flat finish on any of your arrows?
Title: Re: woot! gettin' the wood ready for spring ...
Post by: Bonebuster on January 19, 2011, 07:26:00 PM
Building arrows like those is good medicine!!!

Come on spring!!!!  :thumbsup:  

Awesome!!!!
Title: Re: woot! gettin' the wood ready for spring ...
Post by: Wannabe1 on January 19, 2011, 07:28:00 PM
Rob, those look great! Mine aren't going to be as fancy but, Surewoods with a light Walnut stain.
 (http://i415.photobucket.com/albums/pp233/TradNut/101_0293.jpg)
Title: Re: woot! gettin' the wood ready for spring ...
Post by: Green on January 19, 2011, 07:30:00 PM
Beautiful Rob. Working on a 1/2 doz myself.  Tell us about your choices for stain/finish/cresting if you would.
Title: Re: woot! gettin' the wood ready for spring ...
Post by: Izzy on January 19, 2011, 07:42:00 PM
Classy!
Title: Re: woot! gettin' the wood ready for spring ...
Post by: 1oldbowguy on January 19, 2011, 07:45:00 PM
Like them, very cool looking!
Title: Re: woot! gettin' the wood ready for spring ...
Post by: Cookus on January 19, 2011, 07:59:00 PM
Nice looking arrows Rob!   The silver metallic fines in the crest really set them off!
Title: Re: woot! gettin' the wood ready for spring ...
Post by: chad graham on January 19, 2011, 08:03:00 PM
those are sweeeet , splice some feathers and fletch em up!
Title: Re: woot! gettin' the wood ready for spring ...
Post by: stringstretcher on January 19, 2011, 08:07:00 PM
Great looking arrows there Rob.  Love the colors
Title: Re: woot! gettin' the wood ready for spring ...
Post by: 5deer on January 19, 2011, 08:13:00 PM
:archer:   5
Title: Re: woot! gettin' the wood ready for spring ...
Post by: Dirtybird on January 19, 2011, 08:14:00 PM
Rob I like those top ones with the orange cap.   :thumbsup:
Title: Re: woot! gettin' the wood ready for spring ...
Post by: Rob DiStefano on January 19, 2011, 08:15:00 PM
tw, seen yer arras b4, they're sweeties!   :thumbsup:  

i use water based aniline dye to stain some of the shafts - it comes in powder form and i mix to the depth of color i prefer.

dye goes on bare wood first, using masking tape to separate the uncolored shaft wood.  after drying, it gets 0000 steel wooled, cleaned with a paper towel, wiped with minwax gloss wipe-on polyu.  progress through 3 or 4 wipes of clear w/0000 wooling between coats.  for a dull finish, wool the last coat.

cresting is done exclusively with chisel tip sharpies and a pentel silver pen.  they dry up pretty hard and are left as is, no clear overcoat.  i don't like to spend a lotta time on finishing and it takes only 1.5 days for me to complete 2 to 3 dozen shafts, ready for fletching and pointing up.

make up some woodies, kill some kritters with 'em, it's a good thing!   :D
Title: Re: woot! gettin' the wood ready for spring ...
Post by: lpcjon2 on January 19, 2011, 08:15:00 PM
4x4 low profile banana cut feathers maybe goose.Am I close Rob
Title: Re: woot! gettin' the wood ready for spring ...
Post by: Rob DiStefano on January 19, 2011, 08:30:00 PM
definitely, the red caps will get white banana 4-fletch, relatively hi-profile, chopped.

the rest will be a mix of processed and natural gray bar turks, and some natural gray goose, some chopped some burnt.  the shapes will be banana and a special trad design i'm working on.  some 4 fletch, maybe some 3 fletch (heresey!!!!).

that's part of the fun of arrow building, making up designs and colors as you work the materials.

woodsman, tusker concorde and eclipse broadheads.

plus, i love the smell of burning feathers in the evening!   :D
Title: Re: woot! gettin' the wood ready for spring ...
Post by: HcSmitty on January 19, 2011, 08:32:00 PM
when i saw first set(the red n green) my heart rate pic up n my stomach lightened.  those things are atrractive without fletchin's on em.
Title: Re: woot! gettin' the wood ready for spring ...
Post by: Rob DiStefano on January 19, 2011, 08:34:00 PM
QuoteOriginally posted by HcSmitty:
when i saw first set(the red n green) my heart rate pic up n my stomach lightened.  those things are atrractive without fletchin's on em.
heheheh, i like them the least.  my faves are the amber capped ones.
Title: Re: woot! gettin' the wood ready for spring ...
Post by: Hot Hap on January 19, 2011, 09:06:00 PM
Very nice. Hap
Title: Re: woot! gettin' the wood ready for spring ...
Post by: magnus on January 19, 2011, 09:19:00 PM
Now I know who got all of Braveheart's sale arrows. Lol!
Those are sweet Rob. Surewoods are sure hard to beat. Makes a beautiful arrow.

Keeping the Faith!
Magnus
Title: Re: woot! gettin' the wood ready for spring ...
Post by: TKO on January 19, 2011, 09:28:00 PM
The more I see of arrow shafts like those, the more I feel the tug to try wood arrows. I've never even held a (real) wood arrow in my hand let alone shot one.

I may search around and see if I can find a couple of correctly spined shafts here locally just to try them.
Title: Re: woot! gettin' the wood ready for spring ...
Post by: Rob DiStefano on January 19, 2011, 09:36:00 PM
imho, there's SO much more to wood arrows than man made shaft materials.  harder to build since spine is far more of an issue ... and they need to be finished, and there is a narrow range of weight and foc tweaking to be had.

but still, wood is SO good!  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: woot! gettin' the wood ready for spring ...
Post by: limbolt on January 19, 2011, 09:41:00 PM
Those look great Rob,You've been busy.Would like to see the finished product.  :thumbsup:    :thumbsup:
Title: Re: woot! gettin' the wood ready for spring ...
Post by: NoCams on January 19, 2011, 10:08:00 PM
I like the purple crested ones on the bottom with white nocks...... that was my High School colors. Awesome Rob !
Title: Re: woot! gettin' the wood ready for spring ...
Post by: FerretWYO on January 19, 2011, 10:41:00 PM
Fine work Rob. You do fine work.
Title: Re: woot! gettin' the wood ready for spring ...
Post by: meathead on January 19, 2011, 10:58:00 PM
I am finishing up a couple dozen myself.  Fun work on cold nights.
Title: Re: woot! gettin' the wood ready for spring ...
Post by: East Coast archer on January 20, 2011, 07:36:00 AM
Hey Rob why so many?  Planning on losing a few at Whittingham   :bigsmyl:  ??
Title: Re: woot! gettin' the wood ready for spring ...
Post by: Rob DiStefano on January 20, 2011, 07:57:00 AM
QuoteOriginally posted by East Coast archer:
Hey Rob why so many?  Planning on losing a few at Whittingham    :bigsmyl:   ??
ding! ding! ding! we have a winnah!  :D
Title: Re: woot! gettin' the wood ready for spring ...
Post by: longbowben on January 20, 2011, 08:03:00 AM
They look great.
Title: Re: woot! gettin' the wood ready for spring ...
Post by: Mudd on January 20, 2011, 08:11:00 AM
I have the greatest admiration for you that can and will build arrows.

Rob you made mention of some that are in your building plans that really got my attention.

Would you please either post them or send me pictures of your natural gray goose quilled arrows when you get them made?

In the meantime I'll start going through my stuff, surely I'll find something that will turn your head...lol

I no more than got my "Robin Hood" Hill in my hands when it struck me.... I need some arrows that look the part too!!...lol

Thanks for sharing with us!!

God bless,Mudd

PS: The only negative I see is that my "want" list grew a little..lol
Title: Re: woot! gettin' the wood ready for spring ...
Post by: Rob DiStefano on January 20, 2011, 08:19:00 AM
i've got another 2 or 3 dozen woodie shafts to finish, so there will be a lot of fletching going on fairly soon.  always tape "glued", too.  

i'm working the kinks outta what i will prefer in a woodie for the hill type bows.  

oh yeah, definitely doing up a bunch with canada goose feathers, have over a hundred saved up from last june's moult on the pond.  

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v82/rfdee/archery/goose.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v82/rfdee/archery/tracers.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v82/rfdee/archery/goose1.jpg)
Title: Re: woot! gettin' the wood ready for spring ...
Post by: on January 20, 2011, 08:19:00 AM
Rob,
Dandy!!  Do you use woodies exclusively?
Also, I wonder..is "surewood" a brand name or a type of fir...been too long.

I have built arrows but too many years ago and then only fiberglass and some alum.  Would like to get back into making my own.
Title: Re: woot! gettin' the wood ready for spring ...
Post by: magnus on January 20, 2011, 08:25:00 AM
If you don't loose some then you don't get to make more. That's half the fun.

Keeping the Faith!
Magnus
Title: Re: woot! gettin' the wood ready for spring ...
Post by: Mudd on January 20, 2011, 08:26:00 AM
Rob have you made any that look similar to those I saw in "Robin Hood"?

I got to see them clearly thanks to your recommendation of the 2 disc set re-make of the original. I also can see the hat and I will be trying to make some that are closer in design to those.

I ramble too much at times...lol

Thanks in advance!

God bless,Mudd

PS: I am remiss... thanks also for the response in posted the goose quill arrows so darn quick.
Title: Re: woot! gettin' the wood ready for spring ...
Post by: magnus on January 20, 2011, 08:30:00 AM
Macatawa. Surewoods is the company name. Douglas fir is the wood. Many sponsors carry them. Best shaft I've found. Makes a beautiful arrow.

Mudd let me know what you come up with.
Keeping the Faith!
Magnus
Title: Re: woot! gettin' the wood ready for spring ...
Post by: Rob DiStefano on January 20, 2011, 08:31:00 AM
QuoteOriginally posted by Macatawa:
Rob,
Dandy!!  Do you use woodies exclusively?

H3LL NO!!!  :)  

Also, I wonder..is "surewood" a brand name or a type of fir...been too long.

a brand name, douglas fir, my current fave of all the woods available

I have built arrows but too many years ago and then only fiberglass and some alum.  Would like to get back into making my own.

building any arrow is too easy.  getting really Really REALLY good wood is not so easy.  i've learned to do it the hill way - you build a LOT of wood arrows, you shoot them at 15 and 30 yards - keep the ones that fly straight and hit the mark, give the others away.  i'm on that same mission ....  ;)
Title: Re: woot! gettin' the wood ready for spring ...
Post by: Rob DiStefano on January 20, 2011, 08:36:00 AM
QuoteOriginally posted by Mudd:
Rob have you made any that look similar to those I saw in "Robin Hood"? ...
oh sure.  english yeoman battle arrows.  i even made 'em with "tailed" self nocks and thread wound, long low straight cut goose feathers.  don't have any left, they wander off into the woods all on their own.  ;)   i'll make some up using goose fletchings!
Title: Re: woot! gettin' the wood ready for spring ...
Post by: cacciatore on January 20, 2011, 08:38:00 AM
Very nice Rob,you are making a great job.
I love woodies but sometime I get lazy.
Title: Re: woot! gettin' the wood ready for spring ...
Post by: vtmtnman on January 20, 2011, 08:43:00 AM
Nice looking set of arrows there Rob.I haven't ordered up my new shafts for my Morrison ILF yet but they'll be surewoods probably.
Title: Re: woot! gettin' the wood ready for spring ...
Post by: Mudd on January 20, 2011, 08:48:00 AM
"don't have any left, they wander off into the woods all on their own."   :laughing:    :laughing:  

I call those "Released back into the wild"!..lol

I think it's too bad they don't take root and grow something that produces fruit that looks like what we planted...lol

God bless,Mudd
Title: Re: woot! gettin' the wood ready for spring ...
Post by: Jerry Jeffer on January 20, 2011, 08:56:00 AM
Those arrows are looking pretty nice Rob. I'm sure there is a real joy in creating some nice arrows like any thing else we make our selves. Time and $ keep me from doing many of those thing at present. So, you going to shoot those at Whittingham? Whatch out for that wall.
Title: Re: woot! gettin' the wood ready for spring ...
Post by: Terry Lightle on January 20, 2011, 09:05:00 AM
Nice,
Title: Re: woot! gettin' the wood ready for spring ...
Post by: Rob DiStefano on January 20, 2011, 09:07:00 AM
QuoteOriginally posted by Mudd:
... I call those "Released back into the wild"!...
too funny!     :laughing:    :laughing:
Title: Re: woot! gettin' the wood ready for spring ...
Post by: Rob DiStefano on January 20, 2011, 09:08:00 AM
QuoteOriginally posted by Jerry Jeffer:
... So, you going to shoot those at Whittingham? Whatch out for that wall.
oh yeah ... hence one reason to bring as many as possible!
Title: Re: woot! gettin' the wood ready for spring ...
Post by: hova on January 20, 2011, 09:12:00 AM
those really are gorgeous arra's rob. :thumsup:


-hov
Title: Re: woot! gettin' the wood ready for spring ...
Post by: twitchstick on January 20, 2011, 09:36:00 AM
They look great. It's that time of the year to do these type of things.  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: woot! gettin' the wood ready for spring ...
Post by: Pepper on January 20, 2011, 10:00:00 AM
Rob, I hope you draw my name next year on the arrow swap.
You make some very nice arrows.
Title: Re: woot! gettin' the wood ready for spring ...
Post by: Rob DiStefano on January 20, 2011, 10:04:00 AM
thanx pepper.  i'll probably fletch up a dozen for the st judes auction, custom cut to length and pointed up as directed.  wood is good.  ;)
Title: Re: woot! gettin' the wood ready for spring ...
Post by: Izzy on January 20, 2011, 10:41:00 AM
Whered you get your shafts Rob?
Title: Re: woot! gettin' the wood ready for spring ...
Post by: Rob DiStefano on January 20, 2011, 10:45:00 AM
QuoteOriginally posted by Izzy:
Whered you get your shafts Rob?
tim @ braveheart archery, a trad gang sponsor
Title: Re: woot! gettin' the wood ready for spring ...
Post by: Wannabe1 on January 20, 2011, 11:13:00 AM
I haven't been in the business as long as some folks but, I do know that the Douglas Fir is the best and straightest right from the get go wood I've ever shot!

And it helps that I only live 15 minutes down the road from where they are made!   :D
Title: Re: woot! gettin' the wood ready for spring ...
Post by: Mudd on January 20, 2011, 11:35:00 AM
Note to self... TW.. shafts...close to source.. good man to stay tight with....lol

God bless,Mudd
Title: Re: woot! gettin' the wood ready for spring ...
Post by: luvnlongbow on January 20, 2011, 12:29:00 PM
Thanks Rob! I wasn't going to put together any more arrows for a while. But seeing those shafts.....I can't contain myself!   :bigsmyl:
Title: Re: woot! gettin' the wood ready for spring ...
Post by: jcar315 on January 20, 2011, 12:55:00 PM
Wood is indeed good!
Title: Re: woot! gettin' the wood ready for spring ...
Post by: Hud on January 20, 2011, 12:56:00 PM
Looks like Green Bay's colors on the fletched arrows. Nice work. What type of stain and lacquer/paint works best for you?
Title: Re: woot! gettin' the wood ready for spring ...
Post by: Rob DiStefano on January 20, 2011, 01:03:00 PM
QuoteOriginally posted by Hud:
Looks like Green Bay's colors on the fletched arrows. Nice work. What type of stain and lacquer/paint works best for you?
never use lacquer these dayze.  stain is aniline dye powder mixed in water, clear coats are min wax wipe on polyu. cresting is chisel point sharpies and a pentel silver.
Title: Re: woot! gettin' the wood ready for spring ...
Post by: $bowhunter$ on January 20, 2011, 02:03:00 PM
looks great. what was that real light stain u did on the ones farthest away???
Title: Re: woot! gettin' the wood ready for spring ...
Post by: Rob DiStefano on January 20, 2011, 02:32:00 PM
QuoteOriginally posted by $bowhunter$:
looks great. what was that real light stain u did on the ones farthest away???
all stains are transparent, none are opaque, and the wood grain will show through - that cap was red dyed.
Title: Re: woot! gettin' the wood ready for spring ...
Post by: Guru on January 20, 2011, 04:03:00 PM
Excellent buddy    :thumbsup:    :thumbsup:
Title: Re: woot! gettin' the wood ready for spring ...
Post by: Friend on January 22, 2011, 09:59:00 AM
Super looking arrows -Rob.
Title: Re: woot! gettin' the wood ready for spring ...
Post by: stik&string on January 22, 2011, 10:38:00 AM
Amazing arrows Rob, I know what I am bidding on come St. Judes time   :biglaugh:
Title: Re: woot! gettin' the wood ready for spring ...
Post by: frassettor on January 22, 2011, 10:43:00 AM
Those are some great looking arrows Rob! I really like the look of the ones with the Burgandy cresting(bottom)