7 year old arrow build along (patience pays off)

Mike Vines · February 05, 2011, 12:43:00 PM

It all started at the Kalamazoo Expo last weekend. We were out to dinner as a family and my oldest son, Nick (7 years old), said he had to make something for the school science fair in the middle of February. He asked if he could build an arrow all by himself. Well, if you all would please join me in a very proud dad moment I would appreciate it.

Here he is picking out his very first shaft to be the greatest arrow of all time.

Sanding the shaft before any finish is appliedd. I did do the tapers for him seeing that a 7 year old should not use power tools (woodchuck)

Now Nick is applying the crown stain.

Then after letting the crown stain dry for 5 hours, he then did the foreshaft stain.

After allowing 24 hours for the stain to dry, he did his first coat of clear sealer.

After allowing to dry for 24 hours he then started with his wide band of blue cresting.

Applying his red pinstripping.

Applying duco to install the nock.

LONGSTYKES · February 05, 2011, 12:48:00 PM

Mike, Great pics. Looks like Nick will be a natural. I like his cresting job he did. Don

Mike Vines · February 05, 2011, 12:50:00 PM

Here Nick is installing his nock.

Once the duco was dry he then proceded to dip his shaft one more time.

On this one, I applied the fletch tape to the feather, but he installed the feathers on the shaft.

Cutting the drip off of the end of the shaft to prepare it for a head.

Choose your poison, they all have a purpose. His Principle said it was a good project for him to do, just do not install a point on the arrow and he could bring it into school.

Nick's finished arrow. He made me a proud Dad once again.

One more of the completed arrow, and one of the Mudd Skull Cap now that we know how to properly wear it.

Thanks for following along. I do appreciate you giving us a little bit of your time.

Dave Bowers · February 05, 2011, 12:57:00 PM

Way to go youngster

Buckhorn3380 · February 05, 2011, 01:00:00 PM

You got a good one on your hands Mike, nice job youngster!!!

magnus · February 05, 2011, 01:04:00 PM

Way to go Nick!

Thanks fir sharing with us Mike. You've taught him well!

Green · February 05, 2011, 01:07:00 PM

Way to go Mike. Nothing like teaching them to shoot...then teach them how to make the arrows they break....lol. Good life lesson in there for youngsters. That's my daughters next step.

Mike Vines · February 05, 2011, 01:10:00 PM

If you look, you can see he drew up a blueprint of what he wanted his arrow to look like, and it is sitting on the workbench.

Cody Roiter · February 05, 2011, 01:13:00 PM

magnus · February 05, 2011, 01:30:00 PM

Makes for one proud papa!

frassettor · February 05, 2011, 01:48:00 PM

I like it, Great job Nick

$bowhunter$ · February 05, 2011, 01:52:00 PM

wow he does a lot better than i can. looks like you got a natural there.

by the way, i really like those yellow flu flus in the backround :D

Covey · February 05, 2011, 01:53:00 PM

Very Cool, Ya gotta love that! It's awesome when your kid's take interest in the things you like. Jason

Mike Vines · February 05, 2011, 01:57:00 PM

QuoteOriginally posted by $bowhunter$:

by the way, i really like those yellow flu flus in the backround :D

I'm donating those to our Michigan Longbow Association winter banquet next weekend. That half dozen are paired up with a half dozen yellow barred of my banana burn arrows so that someone will have 6 for big game, and 6 for small game.

lpcjon2 · February 05, 2011, 02:28:00 PM

Great to see kids at work it does the heart good.I like those flu's in the background

trick00 · February 05, 2011, 02:37:00 PM

Enjoyed the build along!! Good job Nick!!

JEFF B · February 05, 2011, 02:46:00 PM

that is so cool well done young man.

1oldbowguy · February 05, 2011, 03:02:00 PM

and if your parents give you a hard time you can come down here and build arrows for me.

yellow bow · February 05, 2011, 03:17:00 PM

Nice job on the arrows Nick. That's a real cool hat too!

February 05, 2011, 03:34:00 PM

Yeah!!
Talented boy you got there!