Hey, I've been thinking of making a whole bunch of arrows and looking to trying an seal them for myself.

I have heard the Eco-dipper works well and am thinking of buying one, but have a few questions.

I hear it works best with gasket lacquer, is this something I can get at the hardware store or is it specific to archery? And how much would you expect to use sealing say 100 arrows?

Thanks,
Ari

I made a dip tube using PVC pipe with a reservoir. I use waterbased poly (Raptor Dip) from Raptor Archery. No fumes, and a perfect seal- done 100s of shafts.

I've found that some type of poly or spar varnish works better, for me, than just gasket lacquer.  Gasket Lacquer is not the best for wet conditions.  Also spar varnish tends to yellow as it ages, but I don't mind that.  I sometimes dip in G.L. after the varnish or poly dries.  Its up to you, as how you do it.
Just enjoy making the arrows!!
JAG/Johnny

Use to use fletchlac products but the fumes are to much for me. Any more I spray (lots of waste) or use wipe on polyurethane ob (much better) with good results.

More or less specific to the archery industry.  There are so many different types of paint lacquers. You have to realize that it takes a certain amount to fill the tube,  I would estimate that it will take about two quarts.  Water based is definitely more user and environmentally friendly.  I prefer water base and it is less costly.  Check with Three Rivers.

If an eco-dipper is like other dip tubes in not removing the excess sealer on removal of the shaft it is not going to work with gasket lacquer. Think honey fresh out of the refrigerator and you get an idea as to it's consistency.

I use Varathane Polyurethane.  I attach them to stretch cord and them them drip into a v channel.

I have used a PVC pipe and water based poly for floors to seal arrows(time consuming). Now that I found the wipe on poly,I will not go back to dipping.It seals great and is fast and looks great.

PVC pipe(funnel glued in the top, cost $3 or $4 for a nice dip tube) for dippper, but I use Min-wax oil based poly thinned 60% poly--40% paint thinner. A quart should easily do 100 arrows. Lately I have just been thinning it and wiping it on, several coats and let dry good between coats. I actually have 2 dozen I am doing right now, just wiping on. After a couple coats I lightly steel wool even when dipping and coat again.Hope that helps! Shawn

The wipe on polyurethane sounds good, would you just wipe on a coat then lightly sand back and repeat? does it require thinning first?

I'm a dipper myself.  I use poly gloss wood floor finish.  It lasts till I loose them.

Dependsthe actual wipe on stuff, no thinning the regular yes thinning. I sand every other coat wiping it on, usually 4 to 6 coats depending if the are hunting shafts or just stumpers. Shawn

I built my dip tank from PVC and use MINWAX water based Polycrylic. No fumes at all. Dries quick. Light sanding between coats, Usually 4 to 6 coats as well.

I bought an eco-dipper last summer and it works great as long as you use it with gasket lacquer.  at first I tried it with sanding sealer, which was not really thick enough to stay on the gasket for the whole shaft.  so I ordered a quart of gasket lacquer from 3 Rivers, as far as I could tell there was no way to buy it locally.  after around 6 dozen shafts, 3 coats per shaft, there is still a little more than 1/2 quart left in the can.  so far it has not jelled in the can like I was afraid it would.

I bought an eco-dipper at the waterloo expo a couple weeks ago.  I've done 2 dozen shafts with 3 coats each and works very well.  Using gasket lacquer, then turned the can upside down to help keep any air out.

Where would I go about getting wipe on Polyurethane, because if I can get it locally that would be much easier than having to order more if I run out.

I'll be right over, and we'll go shopping.

Killdeer   :rolleyes:

Ari
Don't know what kind of stores you have Down Under. Around here you can get wipe on polyurethane at Lowe's or Home Depot. I usually wipe on, let it set up and then lightly steel wool and then do another coat until I'm happy with the result. I'm sure any local hardware store would have something similar.

Hmm, I asked the local hardware store about wipe on polyurethane and they didn't have much idea...

Am I looking for an oil based Polyurethane? What kind of thickness would be idea?

Thanks for the help.

Your looking for a can of oil based polyurethane. Rub on an even coat, let set up and 4 0000 steel wool to smooth out. Do 4 or 5 coats. You'll know when it's enough.