Trad Gang
Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: green valley gobbler on February 12, 2014, 08:12:00 PM
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I have about 3 dozen wood arrows that I recently made and have been working with. Really like the wood arrows and am a newcomer with wood arrows so have a lot to learn. I've noticed that out of those 3 dozen, very few are actually near perfectly straight. There is only probably 6 or 7 that I cannot notice any wobble on my arrow spinner. Just got an arrow spinner so this is the first time that I actually tested the arrows. I was very surprised to see just how "off" some of them were. Most seem to shoot well but I was just wondering how straight you actually can get the arrows. Also can they still be straightened even after sealing them with gasket laquer? Half are POC and half are Doug-fir. Thanks in advance!
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When you build wood arrow, you should straighten them before you seal. If you do that, they will generally stay straight, but not always. You can definitely straighten them once they're sealed though. With woodies, it's always a good idea to check them regularly, especially once you start shooting broadheads.
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If you watch high speed film of an arrow shot from a bow, the arrow bends and wiggles a lot at the shot. Often, the arrow bends once around the bow, and is in free-flight before the fletching passes the bow (bounces off the bow). If the arrow recovers quickly, and your arrows are consistent, accuracy should be good. It's more important for the point (especially broadhead), and the rear (fletching) to be true to each other. Doesn't so much matter if the middle wiggles around.
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My shafts are straightened three times before they get the finish coats. Out of the box, again a week later, and again after tapering.
Then, after the finish coats, a fourth time before fletching.
I have excellent results with Surewood Douglas fir shafts (Braveheart). I have one, maybe two in a dozen that require any effort and in a gross of shafts not one cull. MUCH better than recent cedars for straightness.
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I made a spinner and by accident used the Ace roller straightener while the arrow was on the spinner. The cabinet latch rollers are placed low enough on the board to allow the use of the Ace straightener while the arrow is checked and re-checked until it spins straight and true.
http://tradgang.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=114434
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If you start out with good shafts it makes it a lot easier to have success in making straight arrows. All the shafts I get from Surewood I go through and usually just have to "hand straighten". Then as I go from shafts to finished arrows I will check and re-check for straightness until they are sealed and ready to fletch. I believe douglas fir, because of the harder growth ring, has the ability to hold it's form better than cedar.
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Cory, This is Bob from Surewood Shafts. I can tell you that I have literally spun and hand straightened many thousand shafts over the last seven or eight years. My partners will verify that I probably have a fetich about straight arrows. I looked to see if you are one of our customers and I didn't see your name on our contact list. Honestly it is rare to find a perfectly straight shaft right out of our machines, but fir does straighten quite easily. We cull out over 50% of the wood that comes into our shop to get the most perfect shafts we can for our customers. All of the advise from the above posts is very good and should help you get the shafts(arrows) you want. Good luck!!, Surewood Bob
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All the doug fir I have used is from Surewood. I don't think I even check them for straightness anymore. I match them for grain weight and spine, taper the fletch area and start dipping.
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Before every shoot I spin the arrows on the palm of my hand. If I notice any wobbling, I straighten them with a screwdriver. Here you have a great tutorial Guru once wrote: http://tradgang.com/noncgi/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=2;t=000060
Once you got the hang of it, it is very easy to do, even with fletched arrows.
Keep in mind that wooden arrows bend easily, just by taken them out the target the wrong way or even due to impact. That's why I always check if the arrows I take out for a shoot are straight.
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Here's a link to a couple of videos I did a few years ago. This method works well whether the shafts are 15 or 115# as well as for finished arrows. Good luck.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LF19jShVbsw
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Once you get used to using wood arrows it comes natural to sight down the arrow and flexing it with your hands to remove any slight crook if needed. For me it is just part of the process and keep me connected with my equipment. I also give a quick inspection of the condition of the arrows. I like knowing that I am in control of my equipment rather than depending on a homogeneous material to be perfect every time.
I got into primitive and traditional archery to get away from the "easy way" and get back into the pleasures of simple archery.
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I always felt that spine tolerance helped more than anything on wood arrows.
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After seeing your video Rob I look at the tips more now when spinning. Can get'em even straighter than before.
I have broken too many trying by hand.
Good vid.
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Amen to Breaking them by Hand!! Reckon I dont know Me Own Strength! :biglaugh:
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I think ideally straighter is better
Howeve I think at stickbow ranges fletching covers many imperfections.
As mentioned , watch hi speed film.
Also many early hunters killed animals with arrows you could shoot around corners with.
I think many of us worry waaaaay too much about things.
If youre like me, form and a poor release will hurt more than a slightly crooked arrow:)
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If the point and nock line up and the arrow spins true it can have some snake to it. Bernie Dunn has a snaky arrow I made and gave him. Even though that arrow has a good size snake in the point end it still flies true. I wouldn't hunt with a snaky arrow because the penetration would be impeded but at the target line you get lots of funny looks until they see it fly true to the bulls eye.
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Pat is right on point and says it all.
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I typically do very little straightening unless the point and nock ends are off.... straighten them when raw....and check while staining and before sealing.
Even an arrow that is not PERFECT as carbone or aluminum will fly great and kill an animal...
Dont over think it...within reason. Just enjoy the process.
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Thanks for all the replies! Some great advice here. Bob, no I've never owned any Surewoods but will look into them in the future when I need more arrows which may be sooner than later. I know many on here really speak highly of the Surewoods. I was just wondering how straight we could actually get an arrow and if they could be straightened after sealing. Making the transition from aluminum to wood has been really enjoyable for me and I enjoy making each arrow. Can't beat a wood arrow in flight either! Thanks again for all the replies!
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Ya got that right, and Now ya got the Woodie Fever!! Good For You!!
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You can get the arrow quite straight. It can be done after sealing, however I straighten the bare shaft first, let 'em set a day or so, straighten again. Wipe on my sealer, hang to dry. Check straightness again before next two coats. Check for shaft, point, and nock all spinning true. Then, have fun shooting.