Arrow Planes

[StanM]

Can anybody tell me about the arrow planes made by John Strunk?  I'd like to make some of my own shafts and that looks like the way to go, but I want to know it'll work out before shellin' out a C spot for one.

Stan

[RamiusEng]

I like the sounds of that...does he have a link?

Does the plane allow for tapers???

[Jack Skinner]

I just got one from 3rivers. I like it. It takes some getting used to. Your square stock needs to be 3/8ths a little less and you can get flat spots. I used some straght grain doug fir I got from lowes for my first try. They spined out for me at 23/64ths which then I couldnt run them through sand paper to clean them up much or they would have fallen below my spine needs. So they were not real pretty. But they fly great. Use something cheap to learn on. I also tried some 3/8ths square ramin I pick up to learn with. Now I am ready for birch, or ash to get the spine/weight I need.

I really enjoyed the whole process, it is labor intensive but that is what I like most.

As for tapers I will be planing all my shafts to 23/64 then leaving the tip end at that size for 2 inches then tapering the rest of the shaft down till I get the spine I need. You can do this with the plane or with sandpaper. The plane uses one side for 23/64 flip it over and 11/32 any smaller and you would have to use sandpaper. I have one of those gauges for finding drill sizes that I run the shaft thru to check size.

I kind of copied the plane idea to make a sanding device. A 2x4 with a v cut down the center. Then made a plane similar to the one with a blade just put sandpaper in it. Run it up and down the shaft as you turn it and clean shaft up. Use heavy paper to take down the size and fine to clean up for finishing.

Fun-Fun-Fun

Jack

[Trad Man 25]

Im thinking about making some, but i have no idea what wood to use, i no there will be some woods, better than others, but if you could tell me the onces you have tryied , and worked well for you.
Would be very greatfull  
Manny Thanks James

[Pat B]

A 2x4 with a "V" groove down the center, length wise and a small nail at the end as a stop, a $5 thumb plane from Tru Value Hardware and some 3/8"x3/8" arrow stock.
   Place the stock in the "V" groove and slide it to the stop. With the thumb plane take the 4 corners off, then take those 8 corners off, then 16, then you should be close to a round shaft.  Chuck the shaft in an electric drill and spin the shaft and work sandpaper up and down to smooth. Pat

[StanM]

Hey Pat, did just that very thing tonight and it worked out beautifully.  I can see where I'm going to need a little practice, but the shaft is pretty good.

I found some 2x2's at my local hard ware store that are 36 inches long and made from straight grained Port Orford cedar.  They don't normally carry them, but got a bunch on some deal and were selling them for $1.49 apiece.  I bought three that were perfectly straight grained, no run outs at all.  Ripped one on the bandsaw to 3/8th inch square and planed it down, then chucked and sanded.  Finished shaft, cut to length was 345 grain, but spined a little light, just under 50.

That was for an 11/32 shaft, tapered to 5/16th at the nock.  I'll try doing one slightly larger next time to get something between 55 and 60.

At less than $5.00 for two dozen potential shafts, I can afford to experiment a little.

Stan

[TexMex]

http://users.netonecom.net/~swordman/technology/technology.htm