advice on building wood arrows.

[TX FLY CASTER]

I have been fletching pre-finished shafts for many years , I would like to start building my arrows from raw shafts. What tools dip tubes etc. Would others recommend and also need advice on what finishes will work with diff. types of cresting paints. Thanks

[monterey]

I use all water based and don't dip anything.  I start with three coats of water based poly wiped on. If they will be crowned, they are masked with masking tape and the crown wiped on with hobby shop acrylic paint.  If they are to be crested it is applied with the same type of acrylic paint.  I use a home made cresting machine, but it can be done without by rolling the shaft along the edge of a table while chasing It with a cresting brush.

Three more coats of wipe on poly and they are ready to Fletch.

[M60gunner]

I would ask you what type of arrow do you want as a finished product? If it is for stumping a lot of guys just stain and wipe on poly. You could also spray a cap finish like Krylon enamels.
My first dip tubes were golf club tubes that golfers use to keep the clubs separate in the bag. I got some big corks for the bottom to keep paint in. I use the tubes from 3Rivers that hold a pint of paint. Less refilling and can be used for storage.
As for paint I would try the waterbased paints, even Bohning is offering them. Just because it is water based does not mean it is not waterproof.

[TX FLY CASTER]

So ....waterbase poly will go over any type of paint , if you use gasket laquer what type of cresting paint do you run?

[MEsquivel]

Testers works very good!
Water paint for water based poly and enamel for gasket laquer.
The secret is to let them dry well. Not much to it.
 
I leave them overnight.

[Surewood Steve]

Fly Caster, go to our web site and go to Custom Arrows heading and open up.  Then go to the Mike Vines build along, he posted this on the PBS site and it is a great "build along" for wood arrow makers.  He covers just about every thing.  Steve