Spine tester

razorback · October 14, 2009, 04:19:00 PM

Looking to make my own tester. Anyone ever done this or know of relatively easy plans for making one. I am fairly handy and can understand most plans. Any info would help.

razorback · October 14, 2009, 08:42:00 PM

Please somebody help

stobey · October 14, 2009, 09:01:00 PM

I GOOGLED "spine tester arrow" and found a couple that were pretty easy to put together. I found one with a dial guage that was real easy and looked to be very accurate.

wharvey · October 14, 2009, 09:02:00 PM

Check out the How-To forum on Trad Gang and the same forum on archery talk. There should be several examples. I found a build along at the location given below for a spine tester that used a dial indicator. The shaft was suspended between two up rights and the weight used was a large bolt with some washers to get the 2 lbs needed.

The dial indicator, located under the shaft, was moved up to the shaft, and the weight then rested on the shaft with the indicator showing the deflection.

If the link is still active you can find the build along at: Jim Hill\\'s Spine Tester

Of all the designs I've found I like this one best and is the one I plan to build. BTW, dial indicators can be found at Harbor Freight for around $15, sometimes cheaper. While these are cheaply made they should work fine for something like this usage.

ishiwannabe · October 14, 2009, 09:23:00 PM

I made one, and it works great. I found the plans by googling....but I believe it was at the bowyers den or something like that. Had a graph to print and glue to the wood.

Simple to make, the hardest part was finding all the needed items in my basement...LOL.

reddogge · October 14, 2009, 09:42:00 PM

I built this one and it was simple, cheap, and works well.

2jays spine tester:
http://www.bambooarrow.com/tester.html

If you build it the hardest part is figuring how much to enlarge the scale when you print it out so the little line = 2". Answer is 142%. There, the hard part is done.

ishiwannabe · October 14, 2009, 09:43:00 PM

Thats almost identical to the one I built...although you are a much better craftsman!

reddogge · October 14, 2009, 09:45:00 PM

Thanks. I just slapped it together but it looked so good when finished I shellacked it and painted my weight.

razorback · October 14, 2009, 09:55:00 PM

Thanks guys. Will check all these leads and try to put it together.

razorback · October 15, 2009, 04:15:00 PM

Ok. i amstudying the tester by 2Jays and can not wrap my brain around the 2 spokes and the hub. I think I have an idea but any input or close up photo's of completed ones would be greatly appreciated.

Shleprock · October 15, 2009, 10:39:00 PM

I'm going to follow this thread and try my hand at one of these. Close ups would be nice. Thanks.

razorback · January 20, 2010, 07:43:00 PM

Ok, Well I finally put this thing together, or most of it. I still have a couple of questions for anyone who knows better than me.
1st. When the chart is attached, does the bottom edge go parallel to the base.
2nd. When balancing the needle, is it supposed to be parallel to the base when an arrow is in place.
3rd. Where is the weight supposed to be hung on the arrow.
4th. What is the shim that is included in the plans and where does it go.

All help appreciated to help make this as accurate as possible.
Thanks

Bigkid · January 20, 2010, 11:29:00 PM

I just built one the other day I used the plans from 2jays,

Used a old aluminum arrow for the Pointer with Holes drilled in it for a pivot point and again for the Bend. the Pointer part I put in the Vice and flattened to get a flat indicator versus the round shaft. Very simple and easy to make, NO pics at this time but will take some later.

3rd. Where is the weight supposed to be hung on the arrow.
Spining a span of 26 inches you should be using a 2 pound weight.

pumatrax · January 21, 2010, 12:47:00 AM

I made one using a dial indicator from Sears....I used a piece of 3/4" PVC filled with reclaimed lead shot to achieve the 2# weight...works great...capped both ends of the PVC pipe of course

MercilessMing · January 21, 2010, 05:28:00 AM

I built one using dial indicator. I used bolt, pipe fittings and washers to make up the 2 lb weight in the center.

razorback · January 21, 2010, 08:19:00 AM

Thanks guys. I have the weight, old peanut butter jar full of nails. Thought it would go in the middle, just wanted to check. Should get it all together today and give it a test.
Is the graphs bottom line supposed to line up witht the pointer arrow when an arrow is placed on the tester. I believe there should be no indication from the tester until the weight is added. Do I have this right.

Bigkid · January 21, 2010, 08:50:00 AM

I believe the pointer should be at Zero when the arrow in on the tester. at least that is the way mine is set up and it works out Great.
A 2018 arrow spined right on at 70#