Ash disappointment

[Boneyard Bowhunter]

I made some shafts out of ash last week and didn't like the spine range. 12 shafts ranged from 34# to 58#. Has anyone else had this problem. How is birch.

[Jeremy]

How were you making the shafts?  The last board I cut up (doug fir, I think) for doweling gave me around a 20# range, but according to the veneer calipers that was due to diameter differences.  Getting a little more aggressive with sandpaper on a few shafts makes a huge difference.
Any species will vary from tree to tree, and within the tree if conditions have varied drastically over the years (droughts, monsoons, etc).  I think a 15# range or so is to be expected.

[Boneyard Bowhunter]

I use a doweling jig and sand to thickness. The range was due to the wood. I have had the best luck with Doug Fir.

[wingnut]

It is very hard to get a matched set with jsut 12 shafts made.  I started to do this years ago with hard rock maple.  Ended up with 300 shafts to get 5# spine and 5 gr weight matchs.  Got a lot more then one dozen though.  LOL

I had the best luck with poplar for consistant shafts though.

Mike

[JRY309]

Like said I think you were expecting alittle too much from just making up 12 shafts.Wood is a natural material and there will be alot of variables in the spines you get.

[blueline]

Boneyard Bowhunter
I have to repeat the above, you can get 12 arrows from a plank but you must use lots of planks to get the matched set you were looking for.. I generally get 2 to 3 dozen shafts to get 6 hunting arrows. I have had good success with ash as well as hickory and berch... Stay with it it all gomes together soon...

[bentpole]

Tapered Cedars or Tapered Sitka Spruce get my vote of confidence.