Grain Runout

[jmack]

What is it? I'm going to start crafting my own woodies, and I keep reading to watch for grain runout, but I have absolutely no idea what that is. Does anyone have any pictures that show what a good shaft vs. a bad one would look like?

[flungonin]

Are you referrring to the end grain that shows the grain is running horizontal, when the nock is set vertical..,
  grain of arrow (horizontal)=
  nock (vertical)on horizontal grain |

[jmack]

No, I think the term refers to the grain running the length of the shaft. I've read that If you have too much (or any at all) runout, then the arrow could explode on release, slicing through your hand.

[George Tsoukalas]

On one side you'll see>>>>>>>>>.  On the other you'll see<<<<<<<<<. When he arrow is in shooting position you should see >>>>>>. If the arrow breaks on shooting  it will break up and away from your hand.Knock groove at right angles to end grain. Jawge

[jmack]

Hey Jawge... Would that just be the orientation of the grain? And according to your diagram, should the grain run from POINT>>>>>>>NOCK? What is meant by percent runout? I've heard that most shaft makers allow up to 50% runout. I think I may be confusing myself even more....

[Tilbilly]

He means that when you nock an arrow on your bow,
the nock should be glued in such a position that the <<<<<<< or >>>>>>>(called chevrons) should be at the top/bottom of the shaft. Those grain marks are "runoffs". They are weaker than the grain on the other sides of the shaft. When the arrow is shot, the side of the arrow against the arrow rest has force applied to it. The shaft flexes(paradox) against the side of the bow. Haven't heard whether it matters what direction the runoffs(chevrons) are pointing (forward or backward). The less chevrons on a shaft the better for consistency.

[SCATTERSHOT]

I think what you are referring to is the grain running off the side of the shaft. Older shafts had the grain running the full length of the shaft. According to Rose City's website, if the grain doesn't run off the shaft in 21", it,s a premium shaft.(!) I have some older shafts where the grain runs straight down the shaft, and I'll try to post a picture later.

[George Tsoukalas]

>>>>should point towards your hand. Make sure the groove is at right angles to the end grain. Check before you taper. Mark the proper position of the nock  with a little hole.  Jawge

[SCATTERSHOT]

re some pix... The top photo shows 3 arrows from the side. The top shaft has unacceptable grain runout, and should probably not be shot. The bottom photo shows the same three shafts from the top. The bottom two arrows in each pic have very nice straight grain, and should be what you look for in a shaft. Hope that helps.      

[Roy from Pa]

Very good Scattershot. ^5

[SCATTERSHOT]

ttt

[pointy sticks]

Yup scattershot thats how I figure it. Also Most shafts will have >>>>>>>>>> on one side and <<<<<< on the other. I was taught you always put the >>>>>>>> on the bottom side of the arrow. This is the side which will pass closest to your bow hand and if the arrow were to break the >>>>'s will be passing over your bow hand and not into it.

[jmack]

Thanks scattershot, I think that is exactly what I was looking for. So in other words, if the shaft has chevrons (ie. the >>>>>>> or <<<<<<<) it is an inferior shaft, and should really be avoided in the first place.

[Eric Krewson]

Just about all shafts will have some grain runout but chevrons will be widely spaced on good shafts. On the worst shafts you will find grain circles on the side that has runout.

The above pictures are really good. The top shaft is an ash shaft and could be usable because it is ash but the same runout any of the softer woods would make the shaft very unsafe.

[Dave Worden]

Grain runnout is shown clearly in the top photo.  When the grain line angles across the shaft, that is where the arrow will break.  Notice how the grain lines in the lower two pics are parallel with the shaft centerline.  That indicate no, or little runnout.  The closer to vertical (90 degrees to the center line)that the grain lines are, the worse the runnout is and the weaker the shaft is.

[George Tsoukalas]

What Eric and pointy sticks said. Jawge

[SCATTERSHOT]

Eric is correct about the top shaft being ash. May be OK, but it's a good illustration of runout. Most shafts will have some chevrons, but they should be widely spaced. The cedar shafts in the pix have almost none, but shafts like that are getting harder and harder to find.