Pac's river cane experimental build along

[Friends call me Pac]

I made my first one about a week ago.  Now I'm attempting to build another and have some things that I think will make it look and perform better.  Then again it may not but that's ok too.

If all goes well I plan to have this shaft in my quiver for the 1 Oct opening of deer season.  this is what I have done so far and all of this has been done in a hour or so.  

I cut this cane a month ago and it has been bundled up with others and drying in my shed.

 

Using pvc pipe cutters I made a clean cut where I wanted the point to go

 

Did the same thing on the nock end of the arrow.

 

The next step was to straighten it.  To begin this I sanded the nodes down to start with. Next I put my heat gun in a vice and used it to heat up the sections that needed to be straightened.  I then used a eyebolt arrow tool to get everything lined up nice and straight.

Back on the point end I made a insert from a section of 5/16" dowel and sanded it so it would fit inside the cane.  The outside portion of the dowel has been tapered so a glue on broadhead can be added at a later time.

 

Next I did the same thing for the nock end but used a 1/4" dowel for the job.  I left it long because I plan to use the extra portion for a self nock.  I don't know if that will work but I am going to give it a shot.

 

[Friends call me Pac]

Here is the nock insert in place.  All I need to do now is glue both inserts in place and wait for the glue to dry.

 

[americanhunter7]

Looking good so far. Love the pics of the process, and explaination of how you are building this arrow and tools you are using. Keep it coming.  

[dixiearcher]

Looks awesome! I need to cut some and get you to give me some tips...can't wait to see this arrow in just a few short weeks and who knows maybe we will be out tracking it's first victim!?

Adam F

[saumensch]

cant wait to see it finished, great build along so far!              

when building bamboo arrows i also glue a 1" wood dowel inside, but i shove it in completely and place the taper on the bamboo itself, works good for me sofar and is abit less work than youre method. Im really curious how it will work out.

Do you plan to wind the ends of the cane for reinforecment? dont know if necessary but i could imagine that the point where wood meets cane could be a point of possible weakness.

[Friends call me Pac]

I thought about tapering the bamboo but I don't have a taper tool that would fit the diamitor of the bamboo.  I wrapped dental floss around the point and nock areas on the 1st arrow and plan to do the same again.

The extra long piece of 1/4" dowel that I planned to make into a self nock didn't work out.  I never could get it straight so I decided to just cut it off flush in the end of the bamboo then make the self nock.

Adam I sure hope we get to put it through a deer at the lake.  If nothing else it will be going on the hunt.

[saumensch]

Thanks for the detailed answer.
Ok, i see. I was lucky enough that most of my shafts would fit in my 5/16" taper tool.
also, i didnt make selfnocks but glued on Plastic Nocks. Selfnocks are of course nicer and more authentic, i just was too lazy.
Good luck with the building and most of all with the hunt in October!!