first carbon arrows, need help

[Canadabowyer]

I have my first carbon arrows, a test kit of two AD trad and two AD hammerheads.I want to put the inserts in temporarily.Can I safely use hot melt if I only heat the point to remove the insert? And can I bare shaft them? Thanks , Bob

[bowbenderman]

I dont think I would heat them at all. I shoot a rag bag target so I just put some tape on the insert so it kinda is tight in the arrow. I use this to bare shaft, but you just cant pull it out like in a foam target it will stay inside.  A pillow case with rags in it makes a good backstop. I hope this helps.

[JRY309]

I don't use any heat on my carbons,I tune my carbons by squeezing in the insert with some saran wrap or plastic food wrap.It will hold the insert in snug enough for shooting and tuning.But you need a softer target like a bag target that doesn't grab the arrow too tight to pull the insert back out.I get my tuning done without any heat or gluing my inserts in until I'm done tuning.I know alot of guys have used a hot melt for tuning but there isn't a carbon manufacturer out there that recommends using any heat on their carbons.

[Running Buck]

Bob, I use goldtips and have set all my inserts with hot glue for the last 10 years. I keep a can of cold water next to the bench and only apply heat to the insert. As soon as you get the insert in place,dunk it.  When you want to remove one, heat a field tip and screw it in the insert and pull everything out. The hot glue will hold better if you rough up the inside of the shaft with some fine sandpaper.

[CEO]

Yes you can use hot melt and yes you can tune ADs.
Just my experience/opinion.

[Canadabowyer]

Thanks guys I'll try it all. I'll try the saran wrap first.  Bob

[chopx2]

I also use hot melt like runningbuck describes and no problems...definitely rough up the insides...also when you are ready to glue permanently roughing up is key...I like JB Weld for that...had epoxies not hold occasionally.

[ranger42]

The hot melt trick works for me too!

[Gil Verwey]

Man great ideas about the saran wrap and tape into a bag target. When I get a new dozen I always stripped the feathers off of one, left it full length and would cut the nock end of the shaft down as I tuned them. I am definitely not the sharpest knife in the draw.