Checking Spine w/ Spine-O-Meter...?????

[aromakr]

DesertDude:
I think you're spending too much time in the heat. I said nothing negitive about Kevin's spine tester. But his tester is made on the same principle as several other testers that have been on the market over the years. And unless your aware that you must line your eye with the pointer when zeroing and reading you can get as much as 4-5# difference in readings, this is especially true when you get to the high spine shafting as those marks are very close together.
Bob

[Bjorn]

Are y'all keeping the tester on the floor? Get it up! Mine is on top of a shelf about 4.5 feet off the floor works great, and easy to see level.

[snag]

Exactly Bjorn.

[Kelly]

I concur with everything aromakr said. Plus, it has been my experience that shafts do/can increase in spine from the type/amount of finish used to seal them. The harder the finish dries the more it will effect the spine. That said, we still are only talking 1-3#, which is nothing to get worried over. Furthermore, virtually every bow/archer combination is capable of shooting a 10-20# variance in spine and 50-100 grains in weight with excellent, accurate results.

[Van/TX]

Snag, one more thing.  I've never tested a wood arrow shaft material that had an 8# variance in spine around the circumference.  This includes the cheapest dowel you can buy at a hardware store.  I would never take the time or invest the expense of making a complete arrow from a shaft that varied more than about 2#'s between with and against the grain.

Either your testing process/spine tester is flawed or you have come across the worst wood shafts for arrow making on the planet    ...Van

[snag]

Thanks for that input Van. Now I am reassured that it was not worth my efforts. I appreciate your validation.

[Bjorn]

A truly remarkable collection of ideas on this thread............who knew it would go on for four pages. Nice work Snag!

[Van/TX]

Snag, Thanks.  That's what I'm here for.  Good luck.  And as Bjorn said - good thread    ...Van