Crafting woodies-basic instructions for a rookie?

[Cavscout9753]

Haha every rookies head thats reading this probably has smoke coming out of the ears. Perhaps if someone has a picture handy that illustrates the point it would lend some clarity to the matter?

[britt]

I like to dye my shafts with leather tanning stuff. Works great and many colors.

[jrchambers]

think of the grains as the river and the raft, always want the raft up and down and the river left to right or parallel

[Bud B.]

http://tradgang.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=091918

[Tracker2]

Let me add something. I dip my arrows in Polyurethane. It gives them a GLASS finish and it looks real nice.

Also with the grain. If you buy sure wood shafts that are tapered (I think they shoot the best IMO) they will have it figured out for you. BUT basically you look that the way the grain running. Really tight grains that are close together are best. YOu also want to look for grain that is straight. What i mean by that is you dont want any twist. The best way to look for that is to lay it on a table on a white sheet of paper and look down on the arrow and see how straight the grain is running. If you see the grain have a drastic twist or it "Drop off" the edge of the shaft. use that end as your nock end.  BASICALLY you want the straightest end of the grain to be your point end. That end is much stronger.

It only makes sense. Where the grain changes is where it is weak.

Once you have found your end points, i mark my NOCK end with a sharpie where i want my cock feather to go. You want the grains to sit perpendicular to your riser. Making the arrow more stiff. This is important so if the arrow WERE to break when the paradox happens around the riser, it won't go into your hand.  (I have seen this happen) The arrow will also fly better as well. if you took your hand and placed it flat on the shelf of  your bow so it extends outward away from your riser. You want the grain to sit like stacked books on your hand. making an "L" with your riser. Does that make sense?

I hope this all helps and I also hope that ALL of our inputs does not confuse you. EVERYONE has their own ways of doing things and once you make a couple doz, you will develop your own ways of doing things. Its an art, and art is done differently by everyone.

ENJOY IT. thats the biggest thing. If you rush, you will get a rush job . Take your time and just think about the logic behind what your doing. Surewood shafts will be your best bet for grain and straightness. Doug fir is REALLY straight!

Post pics as you go so we can help!

CHEERS! and Merry CHristmas!

[ChuckC]

There are others out there, but I have read (and given a couple away as starter presents)TJ Conrads' book " The Traditional Bowhunters Handbook".  I recommend you get a copy and read thru it.  It explains all of this and much more.

ChuckC