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Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: bartcanoe on February 03, 2011, 07:53:00 PM

Title: Building a Heavy Wood Arrow
Post by: bartcanoe on February 03, 2011, 07:53:00 PM
I'd like to try my hand at building some wood arrows, and I'd like it to be a heavy arrow (between 650-750g).  

I have a 62#@28 RER Arroyo with a 28" draw, so I'm planning on a 29" arrow.

So how do I get a wood arrow the weight I want?  What wood?  What weight point? Any other means to get the weight up?
Title: Re: Building a Heavy Wood Arrow
Post by: Doug in MN on February 03, 2011, 08:17:00 PM
Surewood; Douglas Fir shaft.
85-90 spine
they should run around 15.8 GPI
How about a 29 1/2 " arrow
190 Grain BH
That should be around 675.

If you call them and ask they will send you the heaviest shafts they have in a given spine range.
Then you could bump that 675 up some as well.

Tim at Braveheart archery a sponser here carries these shafts as well.
Title: Re: Building a Heavy Wood Arrow
Post by: Mike Vines on February 03, 2011, 08:50:00 PM
I'll 2nd the douglas fir, but there are lots of options out there.  Call Alleghany Mountain Arrow Woods and have a talk with Bill.  He too can help you with what you are looking for.

I have some teak, that with the right broadhead (160 and up) will put you well over 1000 grains.  I will probably never shoot them, but it is so nice to have just in case.  Kind of like my 10 ga.
Title: Re: Building a Heavy Wood Arrow
Post by: mnbearbaiter on February 03, 2011, 09:06:00 PM
Soaking shafts in Watco or other type oil will make shafts "Heavier", how much depends on type of shafting! Ive done it with cedar, douglas fir, and now the KK German Mountain Pine shafting! After a week soak, the arrows with a 160gr point weight 680gr +/-5gr! The oil also adds a sealer/stain combo which is nice!!!
Title: Re: Building a Heavy Wood Arrow
Post by: Cyclic-Rivers on February 03, 2011, 09:19:00 PM
Since Doug already said what I would have said, I guess the only other thing to say is:

Go get some steel rod from the hard ware store. Taper and fletch it up.   :readit:    :biglaugh:
Title: Re: Building a Heavy Wood Arrow
Post by: Jake Fr on February 03, 2011, 09:26:00 PM
You can also take and aply a extra coat of gasket laquer or two and it will add weight also
Title: Re: Building a Heavy Wood Arrow
Post by: Looper on February 03, 2011, 09:32:00 PM
The surewoods will get you what you want. Go with what Doug says.
Title: Re: Building a Heavy Wood Arrow
Post by: JRY309 on February 03, 2011, 10:10:00 PM
For heavy shafts I always like an ash arrow shaft.
Title: Re: Building a Heavy Wood Arrow
Post by: Bowspirit on February 03, 2011, 10:12:00 PM
Hickory can't really be beat as a heavyweight...
Title: Re: Building a Heavy Wood Arrow
Post by: Molson on February 04, 2011, 07:33:00 AM
I like hickory and ash.  Allegheny has some real heavyweight hickory and you can get the higher spines in 11/32.  With hickory, make sure you've got the moisture down on them before you finish them or they can be hard to keep straight. The Surewoods are also a good choice.
Title: Re: Building a Heavy Wood Arrow
Post by: Matt Fowler on February 04, 2011, 07:41:00 AM
My ash shafts come in around 700 - 725 grs with 5 1/2in feathers and a 190 gr Ribtek.
Title: Re: Building a Heavy Wood Arrow
Post by: Fletcher on February 04, 2011, 09:14:00 AM
Doug's recipe sounds pretty close to me.  I'm thinking the Arroyo is cut to center with a hard string so add 10 lb, + another 5 for the 29" arrow and another 10 for a 190 point.  That = 87 lb.  A fir shaft in that spine will weigh around 500+-30 gr and the shaft you cut off will weigh about the same as the nock, fletch and finish you will add so that brings you to a 700+- gr finished arrow.  

Check with Tim at Braveheart Archery or directly with Surewood and one of them will be able to set you up.  IMO, fir is the best shooting of the arrow woods and my personal favorite.  I believe you will like them.   :archer:
Title: Re: Building a Heavy Wood Arrow
Post by: Zradix on February 04, 2011, 09:26:00 AM
Ash..Heavy and strong.

An Ash arrow will weigh around 500grn without a tip.
I'd use a heavy tip (190+) with ash to get some wt up front.

Ash can be a little tricky to keep straight.
However, some people don't seem to have as many problems as I had.

Have to admit I never felt those arrows were sealed well. (not smooth)
Title: Re: Building a Heavy Wood Arrow
Post by: Bjorn on February 04, 2011, 10:19:00 AM
Hickory will probably put you over............ash would work well and fir too. You need to tell the seller the weight you want in a bare shaft and have him select shafting from his bin, most woods can be all over the place. Surewood and Raptor can help you out.
Title: Re: Building a Heavy Wood Arrow
Post by: Jack Skinner on February 04, 2011, 11:42:00 AM
I thought you wanted a HEAVY arrow? Good fir will get you that, I also agree no problem getting there with ash mine go in the 750gr area, also hickory, maple. Now if you want some HEAVY shafts try some yellow heart or leapard wood I am getting 650-700gr 11/32 or 5/16 bare shafts, with total weight around 850-900gr.

Now before someone bust a blood vessel I am experimenting with different woods to see what makes good shaft and or good footing materal. I know I dont need shafts in that weight range. Just fun trying different things.
Title: Re: Building a Heavy Wood Arrow
Post by: getstonedprimitivebowhunt on February 04, 2011, 02:36:00 PM
I once made a few shafts out of Osage..Very heavy ...shot good and looks soooo sweet!