How do fletchers do it so cheap?

Zradix · May 01, 2011, 02:14:00 AM

I just finished making my first dozen arrows.
Bought the shafts, full length feathers, a chopper, tape, stain, poly...etc...

I know the chopper and things are a one time purchase and there's left over stain and such.

All I'm saying is $100-$125 for a dozen quality simple but custom arrows is a flippen deal.
I don't know how they do it.

Thanks for being out there arrow makers!

Ragnarok Forge · May 01, 2011, 02:15:00 AM

Bulk purchasing for starters.

Zradix · May 01, 2011, 02:36:00 AM

Yeah that's a good point.

I guess I'm just saying for the time involved it's a good deal. I'm sure they have he dippers and good tools for the job....and the experience to do a good job.

Rob DiStefano · May 01, 2011, 06:01:00 AM

a really good set of woodies will set ya back an easy $100 ... won't take ya long to drop that cost back considerably. here's a 6 pack of surewoods i brewed up on friday for about $20 in materials ...

Patrick55 · May 02, 2011, 05:02:00 PM

As with most things it is expensive to get started. Once you have what tools/equipment you need it is just a matter of buying materials from that point. Buying in bulk is also a big help if you shoot a lot and plan on making a lot of arrows but does not really save you that much. Building arrows is costly even for a Fletcher. Most manufactures have a minimum order to get started and get a price break as a dealer and I promise ya, it isn't cheap.
Then, you have to buy the feathers, points and nocks to go with them and keep enough of a verity in stock to have what the customer wants. Then buy enough toilet paper to keep the poop out of your pants when the phone stops ringing for orders.
I guess if you really look behind the scene at the life of a Fletcher you would have a whole new perspective on paying a $100.00 for a dozen good quality arrows. How do they do it you ask?? Very carefully and with not much profit. It tickles me to no end that a guy would go out and spend over a grand on a bow and complain about paying 100 bucks for good arrows to shoot out of it. In most states, that is less than the tax they paid on the bow LOL. Hilarious.

Mike Vines · May 02, 2011, 08:41:00 PM

After making them for a while now, if I had to buy them already made up, I wouldn't think twice at spending a $100 on them.

Hopewell Tom · May 03, 2011, 06:32:00 AM

I bought a dozen locally here in Nova Scotia for $96.00, good enough arrows, but no hell.
Then I bought a dozen off this site for $100.00 and won't be buying local anymore. The art, craftsmanship and dart-like flight of a dozen matched to my bow weight, string and not quite center cut shelf is outstanding. Side by side the differences are startling.
$100.00 a dozen for full dressed arrows is a steal.
I'm reconsidering making my own, although I'm sure after getting set up, it would be a very gratifying part of this lifestyle.

distantbear · May 03, 2011, 03:06:00 PM

I don't think we do, for 20+ years have been making/selling arrows. When you figure in the time if you charge $100. per dozen, it's about .20 an hour. Why do it just can't stop and hearing from the rest of the archery world is "pricelees".

5deer · May 03, 2011, 03:45:00 PM

nice looking arrows rob.

5

Horner · May 03, 2011, 05:43:00 PM

Those are indeed some great looking arrows Rob...

TWarrows · May 03, 2011, 06:50:00 PM

I do it for the love not the money..Trust me even at 100 or 120 a dozen we make very little, but when you see someone launch that first arrow that you made and it flies perfect..Inside you say AWSOME, So what if I just broke even..

PaddyMac · May 03, 2011, 08:39:00 PM

I am in the middle of a full-blown retooling and need all new arrows. I want to make them, and I've been comparing the cost of having them made vs. buying shafts and starting from scratch.

Basically in Gold Tip Trad Hunters, I'm looking at $126 delivered for a dozen cut, nocks-n-inserts installed, 4-fletch, all-white shield feathered arrows. That's a pretty darn good price.

-VS-

For about $190 delivered (I'm still weighing paying higher unit prices where I can exceed it with shipping savings) for a dozen nocked GT Trad shafts uncut (I have a miniature cutoff saw), uninstalled inserts, 100 4-inch white barred TrueFlights (which I am having a hard time finding in stock), enough fletching tape for 3 dozen-plus arrows, AAE gel glue for the feather tips, a Grayling fletcher (I had my heart set on a Bitz but Rob's video convinced me it's not necessary... maybe later), plus plain-jane white wraps, plus all the other parts and pieces I have laying around.

Plus, you know one dozen won't do me. With tuning and mistakes (oops, too short!) and casualties and changes of mind and then getting into the fast water of pre-season, which is coming up so fast my teeth are chattering, I'll be three dozen minimum and that's when the math turns pretty fast in favor of rolling your own.

jlnft · May 03, 2011, 09:37:00 PM

I can add my two cents!

I make a few dozen to sell on here about once a month. I don't really make much money doing it. I usually sell mine for $87-$95 delivered. My best guess would be you make less than minimum wage!

The biggest reason I make arrows...I flat out enjoy it. It a great stress reliever. I spend a lot of time on the road and don't drink or anything like that....so I fletch arrows in my hotel room. It keeps me out of trouble and pays for a new bow about once a year(maybe!).

Thanks,
Joe

m midd · May 04, 2011, 05:04:00 AM

i dont sell them but I too love making wood arrows.. I make them for friends and family.. Every time i build them a dozen they buy me a dozen shafts and feathers..I cover the glue, stain and sealer.. It a really good deal.

LimbLover · May 04, 2011, 07:38:00 AM

Great post! Definitely a labor of love. I've sold a set here and there but never know what to charge. I end up selling them for about $15 over the cost of materials. That is like $3 an hour for my time. Not a good business model.

I found myself needing tools to help me produce them faster but that takes all the fun out of it for me.

I enjoy making the ocassional batch for folks but Id rather trade for something they made. Their time into the item is more valuable to me. Trading some for a homemade slate and box call right now actually!

SlowBowke · May 04, 2011, 08:06:00 AM

Like most things, cost is rediculous comparing what I bought for years, lol.

Still make a few from old stock shafts but more than likely I use an old arrow and make her new again with my fletching stuff.

NOT saying they arent worth 100 or more a dozen, just not so to me since I "only" hunt and the life span of them is one year between stumping and hunting.......at best.

Sometimes, even though it takes time, luck and more time, I find deals on the auction.

PREFER finding mint NOS full dipped cedars with real barred feathers but when I find some like this week for 5 auctions totalling 32 arrows plus 5 finished matching shafts, one seller, multiple colored feathers, dipped, crested and LIKE new or unshot for 90 bucks TYD......Im good.

For 30 bucks a dozen delivered, I wont feel near as bad whacking one into pieces on a stump or finding half of one on a blood trail.

.....but I'm a tightwad!! lol Prefering "old" to "higher tech" I didnt pay much more than what custom woodies cost for either of the two bows from the 50s I'll hunt with this year, and many more, I hope.

Ive still got three left from Kelly Peterson that I bought at the FIRST Cloverdale that he made using wild turkey feathers. About hate to shoot em and HOW they made it all these years! The other 9 got blooded and I'm afraid I'll break the chain!

Miss your work, Kelly!!

God bless,

SEMO_HUNTER · May 04, 2011, 09:24:00 AM

QuoteOriginally posted by Mike Vines:
After making them for a while now, if I had to buy them already made up, I wouldn't think twice at spending a $100 on them.

Ditto. The bulk of my cost is the shafts themselves, the rest is just routine minor expense. If you get your own turkey feathers and process, then chop them yourself your only out some glue and time. I've got more money in my broad heads than I do in finishing the arrows themselves. I guess that's why I make all my own?
I cringe everytime I have to buy more shafts, the price of carbons, woodies, and aluminums has gotten outrageous!
I don't do much stump shootin' unless it's old trash arrows, my good target and hunting arras don't get shot at anything without a back stop behind it or a live critter.

Lone Ranger · May 04, 2011, 07:37:00 PM

Building custom arrows is cheap (IMO) compared to building custom fishing rods!

I do both and hands down the time involved with doing thread work on a rod takes the cake! The fun part is figguring which one you enjoy doing more!

L.R.

Grey Taylor · May 04, 2011, 08:36:00 PM

Lone Ranger, imagine this:
Before I got a cresting lathe I used to do thread art on my arrows in place of painted cresting. Talk about time!

Guy

R. Combs · May 04, 2011, 08:57:00 PM

I agree with what is being said. I am a lot like jlnft, I make a few sets here and there to sell on the sponsor's classifieds. If I was trying to make a living at something, it wouldn't be making wood arrows, there just isn't that much money in it. It is one of those things that you have to love to do because you sure don't do it for the money.

Rick