I have made some pretty good shooting arrows from 5/16 dowels from the hardware store. Most require some straightening. Most are hardwood of some kind. I've never been particular about spine as long as the arrow shoots straight. But then again, I guess thats a spine test of sorts.

I made quite a few of them when they were made of ramin wood. I got mine from Walmart. I have not made any new ones in several years, but I still have a bunch of those ramin arrows.

God bless,

José

Sure. Ramin and poplar dowels both make great arrows.

Guy

Yep, I get birch and poplar from American Woodcrafters, $25.00/100. They make good arrows, and usually spine in the mid 40's.

I use the 3/8" and take them down or real to 11/32. That size is ususlly in my spine range. Birch dowels are very tuff.

Excerpt from the EOA (and some cool pix, too) ...

"Get yourself a good long bow and go roving. Tuck half a dozen tough birch shafts, fletched with long, low turkey feathers, under your belt or slip them in your quiver. Adjust your leather armguard and put the "tab" in place. If you have a dog, take him along, he'll get as much fun out of it as you will. Saunter down the lane or strike off across the fields. The first target that catches your eye is a corner fence post. Draw, hold a second and away whistles your arrow. You miss by an inch, but you secretly figure it was a darn close shot at that."

 

Yes, have made many for the kids and use the 3/8" for flu-flus and such. Great way for a person to learn to build arrows, tapering, footing and other fun things!

Rob, which pic are you in?  

QuoteOriginally posted by frank bullitt:
..Rob, which pic are you in?    

i was born in '45, not '42  :D

Yep, I use them for small game and roving arrows.  Fly great for me.  Can't beat $16 for 100 birch dowels!  woodcrafters.com

Yup...all the time.