Questions for the aluminum users

[bear bowman]

A buddy of mine loaned me some 2018's yesterday. I had to add quite a bit of tip weight to get them to fly but they flew amazing. I currently shoot carbon and have been kicking around making a change. I may drop to 2016's so that I don't have to shoot quite as heavy a head. That being said, what's your take on aluminum durability? What fletching cement seems to work well for you?
I think that's all the questions I have for now. Thanks

[dirtguy]

I shoot 2016s (Easton xx75 = 500 spine) and Ill tell you they are very durable.  They are well worth the money.  I fletch mine with Easton quick bond, which comes in a well designed container and they hold up well.  

I have some shafts that I got years ago and they are still going strong.

[lefty4]

The larger the wall thickness (the second two numbers in the arrow size - 2018 = 20/64 OD with a .018" thick wall) the more durable the arrow will be to bends and dents. So a 2018 will be a little more durable (and heavier and stiffer) than a 2016 arrow. A larger OD will also make the arrow more durable (and heavier and stiffer). I have used 2115s quite a bit and find them to be very durable, but not indestructible. When stumping, I like using HTM rubber blunts over a steel blunt (gives you a very heavy point weight). I pull the rubber blunt off a little and away from the steel blunt to give it a cushioning effect if I hit something really hard. With this setup, these arrows will take quite a blow and lots of abuse. An aluminum arrow flying sideways from a glance can be vulnerable to bending.

But since I have a straightener, I can salvage many of the bent arrows and use them for stumping.

I like XX75 and XX78 alloy aluminum shafts. If you buy cheaper shafts, expect to be disappointed with their durability. You NEVER get what you don't pay for, especially with aluminum arrow shafts.

That's my $.04.
Doug

[DarrinG]

I have been shooting aluminums for many years, around 30 years or longer. Never seen a real need to change. They have a very straightness tolerance (best going usually) and are easy to work with, plus they tune and just fly good! The last 4-5 years I have only used Bohning Fletch Tape for fletching my aluminum shafts. A drop of Loc-Tite gel glue on the tip and the rear of the feather and I've yet to have one just come off. I prep with a cloth damp with Acetone prior to fletching and the Bohning tape has worked wonderfully...and fast.

[Dave Weiss]

For hunting and general purpose use I try to stay with at least a 16 wall thickness for durability. My reason for shooting aluminum is price. A doz aluminum is half the cost of 1/2 doz decent carbons. Durability is secondary to me, I tend to lose more than I break or bend...

[canuck4570]

I am shooting easton X7 eclispe  1814 and to me they are indestrutable

hit wood framing of target and once cement wall and to my surprise no damage……
 
they are top of the line in alluminium using a stronger one then the one used in the regular line

I have 1818s, 1918s, and 2018s.  I prefer 1918s to 2016s, the recovery speed is more like wood shafts. I have a bunch of them.

[M60gunner]

All sound advise. Aluminums are easier to tune. That is a fact. I bought up dozens some years back and still use them for hunting and shooting. Only downside to aluminum is bending. I have enough tools and techniques that I can straighten mine. That does not mean you can not learn as well.
Fletching. The industry standard was Fletch Tite for many years. But it's changed so when I had feathers fall off my bare aluminum arrows I went to Saunders NPV glue. Prep the shafts. There is a solution you can buy to dip the shafts in but I have used Comet scrubbing powder and Scotch bite pad for ever. Just use hot water to rinse. Dry with a clean cloth and don't touch the cleaned area. If you want a little fancier arrow get some arrow wraps from One Stringer. Takes away some of the work and being vinyl the Fletch Tite will work.
Get at least XX75 shafts, the higher the PSI the more bend resistant they are.

[frank bullitt]

I say if you  got em, shoot  em!

[bear bowman]

Thanks guys. I went out and bought a half dozen XX75 2016's and they tuned really well. I ended up with a 29&1/2" arrow and 145 grains up front for a total weight of 502. My bow is about 45# at my draw length.

[TGbow]

Been ahooting aluminum a lot since 1975.
They are very durable if you dont abuse them,just like any other shaft material.
Been shootin Gold Tip 600s here lately but would not hesitate to use aluminum.

[Caboo]

Saunders NPV glue works on everything. Aluminum wall thickeness of 14 and below tend not to be as durable as wall thickness of 15 and above......

[Cory Mattson]

I shoot aluminum on several bows - 2016 for a 59# flat bow - 2020 for a 65# longbow - 2219 for a 65# recurve - and 2020s with 1816s full length inside for a 90# recurve. All super dependable - reasonably durable - like others have mentioned I have been using aluminum since 1975. I like how consistent aluminum is and easy to bare shaft tune.
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