QuoteOriginally posted by fujimo:
spin tester- essential tool  

I use my cresting lathe.    

Be sure your fletching adhesive is compatible with your arrow finish and cresting paint ... nothing worse than making a dozen pretty arrows only to have all your feathers drop off       :knotted:

I know from experience

Wow - thanks, everyone!  The knowledge just keeps flowing.  I am amazed every time I log on, at the helpfulness of this group.  Outstanding character.  I truly can't say thanks enough.

I have a large piece of tempered glass to use as a roller to check straightness, and have contemplated using the roller mechanism of cabinet roller catches to make a spin-type tester, that would hold the shaft close to the base, so I could gauge the high spots better.  Experimental, I know - but I already have those things around the shed, so it's worth some of my time to try.

Until I learn more about the different finishes, I will probably start with Min-Wax Polycrylic as a finish.  I have fletching tape and Saunders NPV now, and Duco on the way.  I am hoping the tape will adhere well - now that I have tried it, I like it!

Great advice above.

The tape will work on any finish, just make sure to seat it well the entire length of the quill or it could allow feathers to shift/lay over a little and look funky.

If you plan to crest, the water-based polycrylic can be used over anything to protect it from smearing. Not true with some laquers, learned that the hard way...

Make sure and post pics of your creations! If you haven't already viewed it, check out the "Woodie Love" thread, it'll get the ideas flowing.

My experience with Surewood Douglas Fir shafting is that you don't need any kind of straightener.
There may be one shaft in every couple of dozen that needs a slight tweaking. After I've shot the finished arrows for a time if they do need any straightening I use my eyes and hands, very easy to keep them straight.

well i love making river cane arrows and getting them straight is half the fun but hey don't sweat it if it aint because they fly just as straight even if they aint straight as long as the nock is inline with the point alls good.  

#1 Close match in spine. Weight is not as critical.

#2 Perfect nock tapers. An arrow with a nock taper that is off so little you can't see it, will never shoot with the rest of the group. Unless you're shooting broadheads, the point taper is less critical.