I use both Ace spine testers (wall mount and table top) and wouldn't think of fletching a shaft without first checking the spine. While I've never had a spine issue with Beman or Easton shafts, I've seen enough problems with other manufacturers to not take anything for granted. I'd rather discover a problem early than late.

Why would anyone bother going to all the trouble of making an arrow out of a shaft that hasn't been tested? It is so basic. IMHO

I mostly shoot wood arrows, but do occasionally shoot Aluminum, which I do not spine test, since they are pretty uniform. I WILL NOT shoot any wood shaft without spine testing first. I gave up on Carbons because of inconsistant spine.

I use a SPINE O Meter built by Kevin Gerlock.

I'm not wasting my time on wood shafts without checking the spine FIRST.

I spine every shaft on my home made tester and mark the spine on each arrow . Cedar is a must to spine and the rest are for my reference.

If you go by the manufactures numbers and you buy from different manufacturers, their tester may be calibrated differently.

I do and am amazed at the wide range of spine in carbons that are supposedly of the same spine and group.  Aluminum never seems to vary.  Wood shafts always checked before making them into arrows.

Yes.  I check both spine and weight of all arrows.

Absolutely, and I think it can be just as essential with carbon arrows...never know when a wacked one can show up     :rolleyes:  

Craig

The last 200 Surewood shafts I bought I spined and weighed them and put them in groups. I like knowing that the shafts are matched sets. Taking that factor out of play is the first step in making good arrows...imho.

I'm sorry but it all is just so tedious and well... revolting to me..yuck!! I wish they had a pill I could take that would help me enjoy any part of making arrows.

I love a beautiful well crafted arrow.Love to watch then fly, hate injuring one but make them...nooooo thanks!!

God bless all the folks that enjoy doing it and I'm tickled pink there's more than just a few that do!!

God bless,Mudd

I understand Mudd. I have a friend that ties awesome trout flies. I bribe him to make me a few each year! I am just not going to tie a hopper with legs!!! But sure glad he does!  

Not carbons but yes for woods.
I seldom shoot woods anymore anyway,but I resently needed some in a hurry so ordered them from a local mail order shop and one was maked at 55-60,while all the others were marked 50-55 as I'd ordered.
Straight away I contacted the shop an they told me they spine test every arrow before sending them out,and that arrow was mismarked and was really a 50-55.
So I checked for myself on a mates spine tester,and it came in close to 60lb.
I guess those guys have more bussiness than they need,an they don't need mine.

Nope, shoot them, use the ones that group the best for hunting. Send me your mis-spined arrows I'll put them to use.

I build and shoot nad hunt with selfbows so I build lots of arrows.So I start out with shafts already tested for that bow.By the time I shoot them 100 times or so.I seperate to different bundles.[LEFT,RIGHT HIGH ,LOW]That,that bow shoots best and where they hit at.Wood is wood and even if there the same weight nad leanth they still fly [hit] different.
Howard Hill always seperared his arrows into groups.This works good to get constence groups.

Good heavens.

I guess its because my first arrows had suction cups on them; and I made my own for so long; and then bought arrows from sportsman's shops.

They had tall boxes; and each box a dozen arrows of purpose to a certain weight bow.

Because I can remember shooting arrows and marking them as to which way they shot. When I went hunting- I marked the arrows I had.... in the order of ability to hit the target.

I knew best when I had a perfect release; and perfect concentration; and when the arrow hit low of that; I marked it that way. Of course this was when I was in the GGW.  (  Great Groundhog War ).

Now- that I am into deer; elk and bears and lions and stuff-  I buy a dozen shafts at a time. Straighten and put a finish on them; and fletch them...put  a point on them... then I shoot them.

Then I judge the best arrows.

I always figured that the finish on the arrow may soak in more on one side or the other; the thickness could effect arrow flight- and that in the end... the proof was in the pudding...um er ~putting~ the arrows where they should go.

Actually buying a spine tester after all these years is kind of .... interesting...  

YES

Yes I do and I shoot carbons.  I have found quite a spread on them and match them on the spine testor.