Cost of making your own arrows

[Brianlocal3]

So after the Barta thread,  I looked more closely at making my own arrows or ordering them. I spoke with 3 of the arrow making sponsors here, and for the arrows I want I can get them custom for about the same as the Bartas cut and points installed.
Now as a general cost I found it would cost me  about 65$ to make my own, and that's cedar arrows. So it's about a savings of $35 . Does this sound correct to you who make your own arrows ?

[centaur]

Cedars or other woodies: About $35/dozen
Nocks: $1.50
Feathers: $16
Field points: $4
So, after you have a fletching tool, hot melt, fletch glue and a tapering tool, they will cost about $55 by my figures. If you buy in bulk, cost would be less, but probably still about $50/dozen for woodies.

[Bowwild]

When I made my own arrows it was for the fun of it and knowing the arrows were perfect. It is easy to spend more making your own if you don't watch it.

Interestingly, I also find it much more difficult to deal with a lost arrow if it is one I made than just bought.

[Mike Vines]

Originally posted by centaur:
Cedars or other woodies: About $35/dozen
Nocks: $1.50
Feathers: $16
Field points: $4
So, after you have a fletching tool, hot melt, fletch glue and a tapering tool, they will cost about $55 by my figures. If you buy in bulk, cost would be less, but probably still about $50/dozen for woodies.

Don't forget stain, paint, clearcoat, steelwool, brushes, sandpaper...it all adds up.  He's not to far off on the price when he says $65, if not a little more.  Sure buying in bulk saves, but what...maybe $1 a shaft.  The guys who do this to make money are doing it for the love of the sport.  We haven't even touched on the time involved or shipping either.  

In my opinion, if you can get a dozen custom made woodies for $125, you had better jump on it.

[ron w]

Buying arrows, not a bad thing. Learning to make your own, getting the proper tools, brushes, paints, taper tools and having the time, not a bad investment in the future. Making your own and watching it go into the 10 ring or thru the chest of a game animal.........priceless!!!!             And a lot of fun to!!

[rraming]

It is expensive making your own, if your just making them to save money it is not worth your time but if you are making them as a hobby it's priceless and a ton of fun.

[Orion]

Haven't figured in the price of a fletcher, grain scale or spine tester. IMO, you can't make well matched arrows without a grain scale and spine tester.  Your first couple of dozen arrows are likely to cost a lot more than you expect, but amortizing the arrow building equipment over your lifetime, they'll get a lot cheaper.  

[Converml]

Originally posted by ron w:
Buying arrows, not a bad thing. Learning to make your own, getting the proper tools, brushes, paints, taper tools and having the time, not a bad investment in the future. Making your own and watching it go into the 10 ring or thru the chest of a game animal.........priceless!!!!                And a lot of fun to!!

If you enjoy it it's worth it. If you don't have the time or patients buying starts to look cheap. You gotta admire those who do it for the prices they do it at I'd charge 4 times what they do. I do like to make my own in the winter.

[shortstroke 91]

I agree with everything above, initial investment is a lot more than 1 dozen good arrows but making them yourself is more than worth the cost...

[WESTBROOK]

A feather burner is nice to have, then you can make any size ,shape, LW or RW. A spine tester is the best $100 I've spent for making arrows.

Making your own and watching it go into the 10 ring or thru the chest of a game animal.........priceless!!!!   And a lot of fun to!!

yea Buddy!

[awbowman]

For $35 more, I would think just order them

[Brianlocal3]

I'm sure I'd love to make them eventually, but as of now with two little ones, wife, work , church, volunteering, finishing my bachelors, ( I procrastinated 12 years)  I'm trying to decide if I'd have the time.
How long do you think it takes you to make a doz arrows no creasting , just stain and seal, fletch.?

[Mike Vines]

When I make them, I wait 24 hrs between steps.  Not because it needs that long (doesn't hurt though), but because it is my way to slow me down.  There should not be any rushed jobs when making hunting arrows.  Why no cresting?  Get some sharpie markers and dress them up a little.

[Brianlocal3]

No cresting simply because I like the looks of the bare bones wood arrow. No I do admire the artworks I have seen, but I like that simple look of 2 white feathers, one barred. White nocks

[ron w]

I can make a Doz. Cedars, stained, cleared, fletched, taper both ends for nocks and points in about 2 1/2 hours. I use clear lacquer from a spray can and I crest with magic markers and paint pens, they don't look bad either......I get my shafts from whoever has a deal at the time!

[gringol]

Your first set will cost well north of $100 when you account for the various tools, etc.

[USN_Sam1385]

It's all about enjoying the process friend.

I hear a lot of guys tell me that they save a ton of money hunting deer, and eating the meat.

When you figure in time invested, camo clothing, ammunition or arrows, deer stands, gas to hunt, etc etc etc... it's cheaper to buy Bacon Wrapped Filet Mignon from the grocery store.

But not near as enjoyable or fulfilling. ;-p

[sledge]

i am very grateful that i stumbled across this website.

seems like most everyone here gets it.

joe

[San Juan Slim]

I don't know how much my arrows cost.  I own a bunch of shafts, feathers, nocks, feather burner, taper tools, spine tester, choppers, cresting jig, fletching jigs, glues, points, and broadheads.  Much of those supplies and equipment I have purchased here from the classifieds.  I enjoy the experience that comes with making my own arrows--especially in the winter when the snow is 4 or 5 feet deep outside my home.  I really like killing animals with those homemade arrows.  I have a few new dozen to take to the Colorado Traditional Archers Society High Country Shoot next weekend.  I always lose and break quite a few arrows at the shoots like that.  I tell those shooting with me that for every lost or broken shaft I have, I just get to go home and make some new ones.  If you really enjoy it, you don't worry about the cost.

Mike

[JamesKerr]

It is usually a little less expensive to make your own arrows but the results are priceless!