carbon strength ?

[rollin]

Does the grains per inch (gpi) that is listed
     for carbon shafting translate into the
     strength of that shaft?

  For instance a shaft that weighs 6 to 7 (gpi)
      will that shaft be weeker than say a
      9 to 10 (gpi) shaft?

   If you were looking to build a high FOC
      arrow wouldnt you want a lower (gpi) so
      you could put that weight behind the
      broadhead?

[hunt it]

Every carbon manufactor has its own design, some stronger than others. gpi is not an indicator of strength. It would make sense to a certain degree to say if heavier there is more material therefor stronger. But again I say the design and lay up and materials used, dictate the strength of a certain shaft.

As for high FOC, overall desired weight will be your best determining factor along with broadhead preference. Shafts like the grizzly stick and hammer heads are designed and tapered so shaft is high foc to start with.

I would find the shaft you and your bow like the best then load up the front. You can't shoot too much weight up front. The heavier the weight up front the better you will find your arrow flys. I have skinny MFX and Axis shafts with 300gr broadheads and they fly fantastic. If your looking for alot of weight and toughest shaft try the AD Hammer heads or grizzlys and load up the front as well.

[rollin]

Thanks for clearing that up for me. I have seen
     both brands you wrote about with high
     FOC and I bet they work great. Just trying
     to save a little cash building my own as I
     seem to have alot more time than money
     these days.

SO if (gpi) isnt a indicator of strength does
   anyone have a suggestion for a lower cost, low
   weight (gpi) highly durable shaft suitable
   for hunting? Thanks

[hunt it]

Gold Tip Trad Hunters or plain black are good reasonable shafts that tend to tune well out of wider range of weights. Check out Big Jim's prices (sponsor) he has a deal on blemished GT shafts right now. The blemish is always cosmetic and a steal at $40.00 doz.

[rollin]

I'll check em out. Thanks again

[mark land]

Carbon shaft weight varies depending on how much glass is added in the shaft.  Heavier GPI shafts have more fiberglass in them then the lighter shafts, not to say they are stronger, but I would venture to guess that the thicker the shaft wall, the stronger the shaft.  Carbon in itself is very light and stiff, so the manufacturers have to add glass to get the shaft weight up and spine down on those shafts.  Mark

[rollin]

Maybe Im overthinking this but pretty much
  everyone is in agreement that FOC is a
  good thing and being that the shaft of the
  arrow is basicly the medium between the
  string and broadhead woulden't it make
  sence to have the all the weight up front
  insted of in the arrow shaft?
 
  For example a 30" shaft at 10 gpi= 300 grains
              a 30" shaft at 6  gpi= 150 grains

  Given the same spine wouldnt it be better to
      have that weight at the head?

  I guess you have to find a happy medium around
    8gpi or go with the shaft that has FOC
    build in.

   Maybe they will come out with a ultra lite
      ultra strong shaft in the future say
      around 2 to 3 gpi.

[Nitro Stinger 1]

You can get a heavy all carbon shaft,manufactures use glass in shafts to cut cost. The more weight in front of shaft-higher FOC.