Adding weight to cedars

[Strutter]

Getting ready to make up some cedars for elk and figure they will come in at 510 grains or so.  Bow is 56 lbs @ my 27.5" draw.  Would like to up the weight a bit if possible. Is dipping them numerous times the best way to add weight to them?  How much will each dip add?  They will be 28" nock to bop.  Will most likely be using a wensel woodsman on the end.

Rob

[Wudstix]

I have had some luck but letting the stain soak all through the shaft.  Then coat them three or four times.

[Bjorn]

Each dip will add about 20 grains; that is the method I use to get them 'equal'. You can also ask your shafting supplier to give you heavier cedar; shafting can vary 150 grains in a big lot. With a 145 grain BH my arrows are just over 600 grains.

[d. ward]

Dip tubes filled with tung oil.Let then set for 24 hrs.then weigh a couple shafts.Not enough weight....back in the tube for another 24 hrs.It's best if you have a tube or 2 tubes you can do all 12 shafts at once.The tung oil will add about 6-12 grains per 24 hr dip pending on density of the wood.Once you got the weight you want let them set for about 48 hrs and then wipe the shaft clean with a clean cloth.You can now dip,crest,fletch whatever.bd

[madness522]

Gasket lacquer will add 7-10 grains per dip.  I usually dip them 5 times then start weighing and them the lighter ones to get them all within 10-20 grains.  Which I think is close enough since you still have to fletch them and add nocks and points which usually thows them to more like 20-40 grains off.  But you can get as detailed as you want and come darn near the same on every one if you're really careful and pay attention to the amount of glue you use to make sure it is as close to the same amount on all the feathers.

[Rico]

Add the weight with a heavier broadhead if thats an option. It will give you weight plus more FOC and thats a good thing.

[Orion]

By soaking 11/32 cedar shafts in Watco (tung) oil for a week or so, I can add about 40-50 grains to the full length shaft.  To get more weight, I also dip them.  Bohning lacquer for me adds about 10-15 grains per dip and I dip them twice.  Need to let the oil dry for several weeks before dipping though or the dip won't adhere properly.  The other ways to increase weight are to use footed shafts and/or increase the weight of your heads.

[Tom D]

I took my woodsmans and weighed out a piece of solder and melted it into the broadhead to get my weights up. I had to trim off the point of the taper a little bit but with the heavier f.o.c. they flew great.

[Hawk]

Any one of the above ideas are good but a combination is better.  Shooting a full length arrow vs a 28" arrow will increase the weight by another 30 grains+-.  Also, using a 3" longer shaft, one needs to increase the spine by 15#'s.  Usually, a heavier spine shaft will be heavier in physical weight, also.

[slayer1]

When you guys say you dipped 2 times, does that mean you put it in the dip tube for 24hrs then let it dry, then back in the dip tube for another 24 hours? I am pretty new to building wood arrows. I have some ceaders I would like to add about 20 grains to. I am already using a 160 grain head so not much room to move there.

[d. ward]

Well most of the woodie shooters do dip the shafts 2-3 times but only for a couple seconds.Finishes like laq. polys and most acr.will not soak into the wood like and oil base product does.So you really don't need to soak those type finishes only the oil base..ie tung oil.But each laier of finish you put on will add some weight to the shaft.bd

[slayer1]

The shafts I have made so far I have used one coat of stain then 6 coats of Sparr urethane. I have just been wiping it on. The stain takes pretty good. Do you guys think I would gain any weight if I let the shafts soak in the stain for 24 hours? Has anyone ever done this?

[madness522]

Yeah Scott you would pick up a little weight soaking them not sure how much maybe 30-40 grains.  I have been using the gasket lacquer and it dries and is ready for the next dip by the time you finish the last shaft.  I can dip 12 arrows 5 or 6 times in about 30 minutes.

[Rico]

Tom D how much did you get the weight up. I thought of that also but figured the heat would take the temper out of the metal.

[Billy Thomas]

Originally posted by Rico:
Tom D how much did you get the weight up. I thought of that also but figured the heat would take the temper out of the metal.

go to bed bath and beyond (I know that's tough to do, but it's in the name of better arrow flight) and get a creme brulee torch. the flame is small enough that you can heat up just the tip of the cone on the broadhead. Or at least you can on snuffers.

[Rico]

Thanks never heard of one. (creme brulee torch) I'll right that down