Help for newbie arrowmaker

[canshooter]

I recently finished my first bow that is shoot-able, now I want to make some arrows to go with it. In the DIY spirit I bought a Veritas 3/8 dowel maker. For a trial run I cut some strips off a piece of red cedar deck planking that I had around...way too light in spine. Its floppy!

What is a readily available wood from Home Depot or Rona that I can make my firs trial dozen from. Oak, Maple what do you guys suggest.

I cant see spending the time and dough on POC or DF at my level yet!

Thanks

[4est trekker]

You can use the hardwood dowels sold at most home improvement stores.  They may be poplar, basswood, maple, etc.  The poplar are great, and generally spine between 35-45# in the 5/16" diameter.  I've hunted with them for a long time and have great luck with them.  A little hand pressure and/or heat will straighten them up nicely.

[Pat B]

You can buy poplar boards from Home Depot. It makes very good arrows. I bought a board that is 3/8" thick x 4" wide x 36" long from Home Depot....next to the red oak.

[canshooter]

Thanks guys, I think I will look for the poplar. I like the idea of making them starting with a board so its all me!

[Jason Scott]

So, what would the poplar spine at 3/8"? That stuff is economical. I found the dowel cutter for $21.50. This could be something i might try if I can get good enough spine for 55 - 60# bows. Will 3/8" spine high enough?

[Don Stokes]

You just have to try it and see. All 3/8 dowels will not spine the same. If your bow is a self bow, they should spine high enough on average.

[Jason Scott]

Is there tip for selecting stock that would spine higher. Like maybe more dense or heavier or darker? I have glass bows and they are 170+ @ 10 gpp. Do some of the other types of wood at these stores spine higher? I'm not familiar with basswood.

[4est trekker]

Basswood is also known as Linden or "Linewood."  It's really not a superior wood for arrows, but it'll work.  It's a very popular carving wood, and is probably one of the best trees for making cordage.  In fact, that's how's the name "linewood" came about.  The underbark is superior for cordage and primitive rope making (i.e. lines).  

Also, when I said that poplar averages 35-45# in the 5/16" diameter, it certainly doesn't mean that you can't get it in other spine weights.  It's just after a couple hundred arrow shafts, that's what the average/majority ended up being.

[sulphur]

POPLAR, POPLAR, POPLAR.  Here is a build along i did with the dowel maker.  
 http://***********.bowsite.com/TF/lw/thread2.cfm?forum=23&threadid=190256&category=

[bjansen]

wow...Sulphur...nice job on those!

[Jason Scott]

Thanks guys! I think I have a new mission and I can afford this one.

[sulphur]

poplar really is an all around great arrow wood.  Hickory and ash work as well with the dowel maker.  I use hickory to make heavy weight pig stickers.  Ash give just a bit more weight than poplar and are really tough.  The main thing about poplar is i can run down the street and get it at lowes or home depot.

[Jason Scott]

I can't say how much I appreciate this Sulphur. That link is what I have been looking for. I just didn't look on lw yet.

[sulphur]

i send you a p.m. on the best way to pick your boards.  I am glad to be of help.  so many guys on here have helped me, just passing it on.

[Jason Scott]

I need to explore Jawges site too.

[sulphur]

jawge has a great section on footed shafts.  super easy to make.  just a great site all through.