Arrow Building - Totally Confused!

[Rob DiStefano]

imho, there is absolutely, positively no need, no requirement for expensive tools and materials in order to make durable, worthy, good looking arrows of any shafting material.

while it's nice to have a bitz, and i've had 7 of them over the decades, ANY *cheap* polycarb fletching jig will produce yeoman results for decades to come.  

what is required to build solid, serviceable, good looking "battle" arrows, is knowledge - and here at trad gang that comes for cheap (aka as "free").  

[cedar]

Rob, thanks for helping with the large photo above.  I'm still trying to figure out how to downsize.  You are right, arrows can be done with minimal equipment.  The best way to build a quality arrow is with quality shafts like Surewood DF or Wapiti tapered POC.  If he becomes addicted to arrow building like the rest of us, the tools can come later.

[kybowhunter2]

You can buy i dozen port offord ceders, classic nocks, glue on feild points, and fethers for less than $70.00. Then all you need is any fletcher of your likein. Hand taper tools are good, you can get them for like 5 or 6 bucks. You should be able to make a dozen arrows for $120.00 or less for the first time. Then the second batch you will be making them for about $60.00 a dozen shipping and all. I get most of my stuff from three rivers.

[snag]

There's functional and then there's artful functionality. You can build a pretty darned good arrow that will hit where you look/aim (that's another thread all together! haha). But if you want to step it up a bit, as far as looks, you need to use better tools. That said, there are guys who do a whole lot more then me with far less! Kind of depends on your level of ingenuity and skill level with what you have.

[dnovo]

Yes you can build quite nice arrows for very little $$$$. If you follow the basics outlined above. Then when you decide you want to keep doing it, is the time to start investing in nicer tools. After building my own wood arrows for 30 years I have now collected quite an array of stuff.
Spine tester and grain scale to match arrows as close as possible. Woodchuck taper tool for points and nocks,  dip tubes for sealing, cresting jig and brushes for making 'em pretty,
2 Bitz fletching jigs and a multifletcher.
And I am glad I bought most of this stuff years ago cause the prices were much better then.
So it can end up an addictive and costly hobby but doesn't have to be. Beside what better way to spend those winter nights than to make new arrows for the coming year.

[Rob DiStefano]

Originally posted by snag:
There's functional and then there's artful functionality. You can build a pretty darned good arrow that will hit where you look/aim (that's another thread all together! haha). But if you want to step it up a bit, as far as looks, you need to use better tools. That said, there are guys who do a whole lot more then me with far less! Kind of depends on your level of ingenuity and skill level with what you have.

there are fletchers i know who take arrow building right into the *art* level.  we're talking upwards and beyond two *days* per arrow build.  you wouldn't wanna even shoot the final products, they're that beautiful.

to each their own, as it should be.

[dvsbruce]

Thanks again for all the replies! Lots of good ideas!

[TWarrows]

the best way is to find your own way...in the end you will be happy that you did it yourself..

[Rooselk]

Rob, I love that arrow! What color is the stain you're using for the lower (darker) part of the shaft?

[Rob DiStefano]

Originally posted by Rooselk:
Rob, I love that arrow! What color is the stain you're using for the lower (darker) part of the shaft?

i use powdered analine dye/stain, mixed with water.  both colors are amber aniline, with a few drops of black aniline added for the darker foreshaft color.  that's pretty much my fave arrow stain coloring - darker foreshaft, brighter cap end for visibility - natural turk or goose feathers.