txcookie,
Here is what you will need: 1.spine tester 2.grain scale 3.fletching jig 4.taper tool. 5. Some way to straighten them. Some people do this by hand, I do that too some times, but I also have an old device called a fontier arrow straightener that works real well. 6. If you use full length or natural feathers, you will need a way to cut/shape them. I'll try to give you an idea on how you can expect to spend....
1. spine tester. You can spend anywhere from 100 to 280 dollars on one. They all work pretty much the same. You can build your own in an hour or two that works just as well for less than 20 bucks. If you're interested in that, give me a pm.
2. Grain scale. Anywhere from 10 to 80 dollars. The ten dollar job isn't as accurate as the others, but it will work well enough if you're careful. I think the 25 dollar digital job is the best deal going here. You can also make one of these yourself for next to nothing. I tried once according to some plans I found, but I couldn't get it to weigh the same arrow to the same weight twice.
3. Fletching jig. Anywhere from 27 to 80 dollars for a good adjustable one. 3 Rivers just came out with the 27 dollar job, and they aren't in the business of selling junk. Again, you can make one of these yourself. I've seen plans but I never tried it.
4. taper tool. Anywhere from 8 to 30 dollars. I bought the more expensive tru center tool. It's biggest advantage is that it can taper any diameter shaft. As far as the cheaper ones, you'll have to buy a separate one for each diameter. I never had a problem with mine, but some people hate them and swear by the cheaper ones.
5. straightening tool. Some people do this completely by hand, but I think a tool makes it a little easier depending on what kind of wood you are using. Some people just use a large eye hook to do it, others use a screw driver. I LOVE my discontinued Frontier arrow staightener. If you buy a tool for this, it can be anywhere from 12 to 36 dollars.
6. feather cutter / shaper. You can buy die cut feathers and by pass this, but if you don't use a very long fletch, many times you can get two fletchings from one full length feather. And even if you can't, you can still splice two shorter ones together. A tool to cut or shape your feathers will cost anywhere from 20 to 100 dollars. I cut mine with scissors but I made a very simple jig that helps me cut them very precisely. It cost about a quarter make. If interested, pm me.
If you want to make them fancy, you can spend a lot more on the tools to do it, but this is all you need to make good, matched arrows. BTW, cheap wooden dowels can make very good arrows if you know what to look for. Hope I didn't leave anything out.
Austin
Topic: Who shoots wood? (Read 1296 times)
