First time building wooden arrows.Was going to order everything but the website I was on doesn't have any pics (insert jokes hear).I don't know what knocks I need and what feathers I need (left, right, and length)I'm going with 11/32 cedars.Thanks for any help.
A lot of it is personal preference. If you shoot right handed, get left wing feathers (right wing if you're a lefty). I prefer 5" shield cut and classic index nocks.
Right handed=Left wing,Pick a nock you like(glue on) indicator or not.And either duco cement or fletch tite for the glue(feathers and nock). 11/32 was a good choice. Go to the How to section on the main page there are some follow along builds.Good luck.Tim
I would go with 5" feather-RW LW doesn't really matter as long as they are all the same and match your clamp! If your shafting is not tapered in the fletch area go with 11/32 nocks. If tapered get 5/16 nocks. If you have any other questions just ask on here.
As a precaution you need to know that making wood arrows is very addicting.
Thanks fellers.I didn't know what the difference was between the Mercury and the Classic Index.
I would go with an 11/32 classic index nock and 5" parabolic feathers.
By tapered you mean brought to a point like a pencil correct?
Did you check out the websites of any of the sponsors here? There are several great stores with excellent websites. It's always hard to shop without good pictures.
I looked for a list but didn't see one.Maybe I just overlooked it.
Btw, I'm right handed and prefer 4" parabolic feathers. I prefer to put them on with fletch-tite or superglue. After losing a few arrows I'm realizing how well pink feathers show up in the woods. Fletching color is mostly preference, I've used white, yellow, chartreuse, green, blue, red, black and white barred, and orange. Pink is the only thing I've seen that always shows up. Unless maybe you spend a lot of time shooting into flower gardens :)
Austin
Tony, what part of Mo are you in.
You didn't say if you owned any arrow making tools at all. It can be pretty pricey buying everything at first.
Maybe you live close to one of us Mo. guys that could help get you started.
Ron
I'm in Richmond, East of KC. about 45 minutes.I have a cheap fletcher and am going to pick up a taper tool.I'd like to get with some other folks and shoot the bull if anybody is fairly close.
I'm in Warsaw near Truman Lake.
Getting ready to take a vacation in a couple of weeks. Would like to get together when ever. I'm retired so anytime usually will work.
I have about everything for arrow making and my main hobby is making kids bamboo backed bows right now.
If you want to get together some time just PM me and we'll see what happens.
Ron
Welcome to the addiction, Battman. There are several sponsors here, myself incl, that should have everything you'll need along with plenty of advice and opinions. 5" fletch and Bohning Classic nocks is a good place to start. If your fletching clamp is helical, buy your feathers to match the clamp, left or right wing. If the clamp is straight, you can go with either wing, altho most fletch opposite of their shooting side. Minwax stains and oil base polyurethane make a great finish and Duco glue works very well with it.
Feel free to call and I can walk you thru the process. There are also some good instructions here in the how to forums and on youtube. Rick
Thanks Fletcher I think this is gonna be pretty fun.Like I need another hobbie.
Got everything headed this way.Had to get right wing feathers becuase thats what fletcher I have.Can't wait to get started.
You'll have a blast, it IS very addictive though. Once you're all set up with tools ya need, check out Rob's tutorial on making excellent woodies the cheap and easy way, it's really detailed.