I was asked to build a kids bow for a Catch-A-Dream auction put on by Drury Outdoors. I decided to build a youth bow, bamboo backed osage, with all the bells and whistles so it will be a very special bow.

This auction crowd will probably be 100% wheelie guys and my bow will be looked on as an oddity or perhaps a cheap kids toy.

I am making this bow at a request of a good friend(a freebie) but don't expect it to bring more than $25 or $30 even though the same bow in the adult version would be in the hundreds, lots of hundreds.

I would like to include some fancy arrows with the bow but don't think woods would be a good choice for a youngster because of the possibility of breakage.

Being a wood arrow guy and don't know what kind of carbons(cheap) are out there for youngsters. I would doll them up with cap dip, cresting and wild turkey feathers but do need something pretty indestructible.

Any suggestions?

Gold tip makes a gt lighting shaft, specially designed for youth and light weight bows. Add says recommended for bows with up to 35# max draw weight. They are $37.99 a doz. for shafts. There arent many cheap carbon arrows. I saw this in a Lancaster archery catalog if you are interested.

Great thing your doing Eric    

Sponsor Braveheart Archery has Patriot II shafts for $50 a dozen.  Not "cheap," but better than many...

Lancaster Archery sells youth aluminum arrows for less than $30 a dozen.  Not carbon but won't break like wood either.

Easton Neos Shafts  - $27.99/dz
Easton Genesis Shafts  - $29.99/dz

FS Discount Archery is selling fiber glass arrows for cheap too.
Gold Tip Youth Fiberglass Arrows  - $17.99/half dozen; $29.50/dz

Do you have info on that auction?  I know some kids that would really appreciate something like that.

Beeman ICS Hunter Jr., or I have some 1814's that would probably work.

When do you need them?  I'll donate a half dozen of either one--I can mail them, or send them by Jimmy, or give them to you next month at the ASTB state shoot.

Chad

What age group are you making the bow for?  I know you were conscerned about using wood arrows but in my experience raman wood dowels make the best youth arrows and are cheap to build and replace.

where can you buy the ramen dowels.....James

You can buy the ramen wood dowels at about any hardware store.  They're only about 30 cents a piece.  If you can't find them or you'd just rather buy them this way try this link  http://www.kustomkingarchery.com/1_4-Inch-Raminwood-Shafting/productinfo/A3100/  

$3.50 a dozen or $19 for 100 plus shipping

The ramin dowels would be a good one. Used them for my kids. They probalby will lose them before they break 'em!

Walmart around here, sell carbon express arrows for kids. Blue shafts, 26", up to 40lb bows spine, it says on shaft. You would have to strip fletch and replace with feathers. They have also worked good for my kids

Kustom King has the ramin shafts in 1/4" only. Is that the only size they come in?

Hi Eric!  The best I have found are "Thunder Express" by Carbon Express and a no-name carbon or fiberglass at Acdemy Sports.  These are both kids' arrows with vanes, they are rated up to 35#.  They come in two lengths, 26 and 28.  I think the 26" actually spines out to about 50#.  I have used the 28" from bows of 25# @ 24", 26@ @ 26", 30# @ 26", 35# @ 28", and 38# @ 28".  I scraped the vanes off and fletched them, I had to use the Easton glue in a bottle to make the feathers stick.  The arrows are about two dollars.  Hope this helps.  Bill

I plan to make the bow 20#@20" and gear it toward the 8 to 10 year old shooter. It will be 52" ntn. The handle and tip overlays will be made from this burl wood



Thanks for all the suggestions you all.

thats awful nice jesture

I didn't have a clue who I was making the bow for until I read the paper this morning.

Turns out I know these guys, very fine young men and two of the most dedicated hunters in the area.

http://www.timesdaily.com/article/20100724/ARTICLES/307249999/1164/SPORTS?Title=The-next-top-hunters-

I know it is hard to ask local archery shops for donations but it might be a good way to get some shafts. My friend and I help start a youth fishing program "Hooked on fishing not drugs" we got on the horn with some big fishing manufacters like berkley ect.. I was surprised at all the gear we recieved each year. Thousands of dallors worth of bait,poles,and door prizes to give each kid it's just good P.R. As nice of bow you make I wished I was the kid in line for it. Good luck.

Hey Eric I got a doz 15 35  Gold Tip Trads Ill donate to the cause.Give me the details...There not fletced though  full lentgh have to be cut down.I dont have the set up to cut them.Whats the deadline for delivery??Aloha.Ron

QuoteOriginally posted by Lonala:
Hey Eric I got a doz 15 35  Gold Tip Trads Ill donate to the cause.Give me the details...There not fletced though  full lentgh have to be cut down.I dont have the set up to cut them.Whats the deadline for delivery??Aloha.Ron

good on ya ron. great donation.

thanks