can oak be used for the shafts (think thats what its called, im a newbie ) if so what thickness do i get for 55-60# bow. if not what kind of wood and why? thank you.

i have made some arrows out of red oak. took 3/4 inch lumber and made 1/2x1/2 square stock and turned them down with a small block plane. they shoot great (dont have many left) heavy and tough. as far as spine i made mine 11/32 and they spined out to around 50-55#, but i would think the spine would be different from shaft to shaft.

I just built some poplar arrows from 3/8" dowels. I don't have a spine tester but they sure shoot great from my 52# Kodiak!

usually woodies come in the standard 5/16,11/32,and 23/64. For your 55-60# bow IMHO most guys will get 11/32 shafting. I am currently shooting oak and find it quite durable, however a need to straighten comes to my mind and on a regular basis.

Old growth wood with tight grain will yield the higher spined arrows which is more desirable than say one with runout which may break when you loose the shaft.  

Oak runs heavier, 600+ grains vs Port orford cedar which for me averages 525 grains built with 125 grain points up front, I have experience with douglas fir which I find does quite well.

If you really get into making arrows try footing one with osage, they are quite durable also.
Best of Luck  

what is consists of footing.

I havent seen any footed shafts here for a while, but they are putting two pieces of wood together in a long v shape (one inside the other) and then shaped or sanded into an arrow shaft. normally done for durability or beauty. Check out three rivers archery they have shaft footings for sale, made from purple heart or osage.

roger that will do thanks mike, and every one else.

The best shafts are from wood with straight grain, light to moderate weight, durable, accepts stain, and straightens easily. That eliminates a lot of wood and the reason why Port Orford Cedar, Spruce and Douglas Fir are the most common. Then there is Yellow Cedar (Alaskan Cypress), Lodge Pole, and Tamarack. Tamarack-Trees grows over most of western Canada and the northern states. Yellow Cedar is in decline (decease), Lodgpole  is used for Tipi poles.

If you are going to make your own shafts a spine tester is a good investment. Spine is the deflection of the shaft at 26" centers with a two pound weight. I have used many kinds of wood, pine is what I like to make my shafts for hunting, for stumping birch. The tightness of the grain will ditermine spine weight.