Tuning arrows, cutting and re-inserting

[Riverrat43]

I had a guy in an archery shop tell me today that I should never use hot glue to put inserts into a carbon shaft. He said the heat would break down the carbon. He said this was especially true when you use enough heat ( via blow drier etc.) to heat the glue,inside the shaft,enough that the insert can be removed. If this is true, then how do you try a particular weight on an insert, remove the insert and weight, cut the length of the shaft and re-insert when finding the right weight and length of your carbon arrows? What do you guys do?

[dhermon85]

I use a torch with mapp gas and never had any problems. I heat up a field point screwed in insert. I use hot melt. Just don't over heat. Be careful. Did it three times today, and shot the arrow with no problem.

[Jake Scott]

I use direct flame and hot melt.  I have one set of fmj's that I have been shot THOUSANDS of times.  I have used a flame the remove and re-install the inserts a half a dozen times or more.  I've hit stumps, rocks, tree limbs, squirrels, rabbits and deer with those arrows.  I have no reason to believe that any structural integrity has been compromised whatsoever.  Like dhermon85 said, a ton of guys use mapp or propane torches and get along just fine.  Keep on keeping on.

Jake

Well. I must have a BUNCH of broke down carbon arrows then! I use the Quick Stik hot melt glue from Big Jims Bow Co and have never had a single issue. I have also NEVER lost a single insert from an arrow either when using the Quick Stik!

I think I will just keep on using it.

Almost sounds to me like someone was just trying to sell you a $10/ounce bottle of glue, that when using it, renders shafts ruined if you try to remove the insert.

Bisch

[Riverrat43]

Bisch..we think alike and I came home without any glue! Thank all of you for re affirming what I was thinking. I didn't see a problem using hot glue either. Just wanted to be sure.

[JRY309]

You could also try the saran wrap method.I'll push in the insert with some saran wrap to hold in the insert snug enough for shooting and tuning.I get my tuning done without glueing in at all,it's quick and easy.You do need a softer target like a bag target that doesn't grab too tight on arrow removal.I have tuned my carbon arrows for years using this method.For me I just never cared to use any heat on my carbon arrows.I know a lot of guys like the low temp hot melt glue and never had any problems with it.

[Chesapeake]

I install a larger point in the insert and heat the point so the heat transfers to the insert. I do not apply heat to the carbon shaft, and I try to keep from getting the carbon hot. Too much heat will damage the carbonfiber( actually the resin).

[M60gunner]

I was using golf shaft epoxy for inserts. not reversible. So I remove nock and cut from tail end. Not using that glue but still use that method. I may try Big Jim's glue next time I need shafts.

[saltwatertom]

I too use Big Jim's hot glue. Don't EVER heat the shaft, only heat a field point screwed into the insert, and only enuf to put the insert in or take it out. ( or to put the glue on the insert )

JMHO

;-)

[Stump73]

Im with the crowd on using BigJims hot melt glue. Never had any problems.

[BelegStrongbow]

I just watched a video today of Big Jim showing how to do exactly this. It is on his website. Here hopefully this works.

 http://www.shop.bigjimsbowcompany.com/Carbon-Express-Aluminum-Inserts-AA103.htm

[ISP 5353]

Big Jim's or low temp (blue) hot melt.  I have shot thousands of shots with carbons tuned and put together like this.  No problems.

[Pheonixarcher]

Ferr-l-tite cool flex is formulated specifically for carbon shafts. It's the blue hot melt, that takes less heat to liquefy. It's all I use. Only problems I've had were with 100 gr brass inserts on GT trad arrows, and they were few and far between. Never had a problem with any other shaft/insert combo, including axis arrows with the HIT inserts.

[DanielB89]

Riverrat43,
what he is telling you is not a complete lie, just not a complete truth either.  I have used a lighter to loosen all of the inserts I have ever inserted.  The trick is, do not get the arrow too hot and ALWAYS stay on the insert.  

When I have had arrows break down is when I was heating behind the insert and it definitely broke down the carbon.  

The safest way I have found is the heat a field tip that is in the insert and when the field tip is hot to the touch, try to twist out the insert with some pliers.

[reddogge]

I do the Saran Wrap thing and shoot into a rolled up piece of foam so if I loose an insert I can retrieve it. Saran Wrap holds them so tight you can hardly get them out so I've never had one pull out when tuning.

[KSdan]

Apart from using the Big Jim Hot melt for my final apps-

FOR TUNING:  I just use a few tight wraps of electrical tape to hold it in.  On both my hay bale and foam target, the tape holds plenty long to tune and change-out/cut/adjust as needed.

Dan in KS

[VA Elite]

I have nput a direct flame to my axis arrows many times...the tick is to not heat it for a long period, just enough to get the insert out. Never had any issues with these arrows afterwards.

[MnFn]

I have lost an insert and head in a target using Saran wrap. I have not lost one using hot melt glue.

[KentuckyTJ]

He sells arrows right?