I dropped down to a 40lb long bow and 2 Alene 1/2 hour before shooting.

I'm not sure if the 1990's qualify, but in my opinion, that's when the best longbows were made.  Schulz, Green Mountain, Saxon, Elburg, Harrison, San Marco... the list goes on. 

Easton has a video on YouTube showing how they make them.  They are, in fact, welded. Quite interesting. The only thing you see is the dot on the insert end. As far as indexing the shaft, there's no need. One of the nice things about aluminum. If it makes you feel better or more confident though, go for it.

I have the same setup right down to the arrows. Mine are cut 29 3/4 and I top the 100 gr inset with 150 gr point to have an arrow at 470gr.  Good luck with your outfit.   Joe

Push the shaft through the bale, heat and remove the head, pull the shaft back out.

I'm getting ready... this year I will be using a Sunset Hill, 54@27".  Cedar 60/65 spine arrows.  And Ace broadheads.  I'm counting the days until I can hit the woods.

I've only got 1 160gr STOS head that was given to me.
I love the design.
As shown, the Zwickey no mercy is close to the same profile but I prefer how the ferrule on the STOS extends closer to the tip.

This is a serious question...

I'm trying to get a serious set of woodies for this season. I've not done a season using wood shafts yet. For small game and practice I usually shoot bottles and trash on a hill, and my broadheads stay duller than my big toe and beat up. Which is fine for a squirrel or groundhog. I keep trying to find a way to practice and develop confidence with this set of arrows but my haybale keeps eating my broadheads. Lost two and I'm done with that. I hate beating them up on dirt as well.

What do most guys do to practice how they hunt? Is there a trick to pulling out of a bale that I'm missing?

Is shooting in the dirt and sharpening often a viable option? I've had a heck of a time getting an edge on them even when they're factory clean!

Here is a grizzly and STOS and no mercy side by side. I have a few STOS left and kinda been hoarding them. Wish they were still made as well.

I have been gone along time also but my 10 year old asked if we could start shooting. So I am back looking at all the information, getting my kiddo shooting and preparing for Deer and pig hunting down here in south Alabama. If anyone is down this way and wants to stump shoot let me know.