Making a Feather Rest

[last arrow]

I am setting up my old Bear Cub for one of the kids to shoot.  I wanted to put a feather rest on it so that it was set up like it was when I started shooting it 40 years ago.  Can any one offer instructions in how to make one?

Any help will be appreciated.

[kurtbel5]

Get a hold of TRAP i just got 4 and they are beautiful.You can see them in history/collecting forum
           Kurt

[tradtusker]

im also very interested to see how they are made

[mmgrode]

me too!

[joebuck]

I split my Right feather quill (i shoot right handed) and cut 4" section and place in my straight feather clamp. Then I grind down on belt sander. Next I cut 4 feathers about an 1  1/2 long and mount feathers side by side on double sided tape on a scrap piece of wood. Then I snip with some barber sissors to shape. Next I take feathers off scrap wood and super glue on my bow. Tip: I put masking tape on one side on each feather when I snip it. Its cuts better. I have had same feather rest on for 8 years. I do not like mounting on bow with double sided tape. It doesn't hold as well as super glue! I also make mine a "little" because they shoot like an elevated rest. Awesome arrow flight
 

[philil]

Very interesting joebuck!
That would look a lot better than my toothbrush rest    :rolleyes:    
But how do they hold up under wet conditions?

[joebuck]

Phill, the quill is cut to about 1/4" height. The natural rigidness of the quill being that short is not affected by water. You can pour water on it:)

[flint kemper]

joebuck, not only builds fine arrow rests, but fine bows and turkey calls as well, am I correct Joebuck? Flint

[joebuck]

Thanks for the kind words FK..lets say I had alot of time as a bachelor to learn a lot of arts and crafts    ( got married at 38)......but feather rests are about as traditonal as ole Fred Bear himself......IMO I think they are the "most" forgotten accessory out there with huge benefits...getting that arrow off the shelf 1/4"-3/8" produces great results. Try it you'll be shooting "aspirins" in no time

[herb haines]

i have a whole bunch of feather rests old one that the peel and stick glue is past working on because of age , they are still in original bubble packs  cost $1.50 plus shipping --- herb

[amar911]

Joebuck,

That is a really fine looking bow you have there. I have never heard of a Swamp Rooter. The accent strips and checkering job are terrific. Looks like a best-grade gun stockmaker did the work. Is the riser ebony and walnut? Where did you get that bow? I tried to find something on Swamp Rooter but came up empty except for the picture here of your bow.

Allan

[joebuck]

Allan...it's a homemade bow I made back in 97. Fortunately I do not sell them or my wife would leave me. .I have given a couple out to friends....Riser is gaboon and osage. I cut the checkering 18 lines per inch with basic hand tools. Medalion is Mastadon ivory and I scrimshawed with exacto knife. Accent is my "secret" herrinbone ebony and osage.....this bow has alot frequent flyer miles!..I have been hunting with it since fall of 98...i guess i call it my old friend. I made 2 exactly the same....i now have 2 young sons...hopefully they will be right handed
 

[Chris Surtees]

Joebuck,

Have you thought about offering up one of you bows to St. Judes? One of those beauties would fetch a lot of cash for the kids! Hint! Hint! Hint!          

Great looking feather rest. I have a J. Pierce Choctaw I am going to try one out on.

Thanks for the how to. You should do a small build along for the "How To" form.

[joebuck]

I have thought about it ( St. Judes)...maybe one day when my boys get older and have a little spare time. I have about 50+ hours in each bow..Definitely worth the cause though. I have two friends that have kids that went there 15 years ago and they are alive and well today....you say you have a J. Pierce Choctow? Jerry's and Pat Cebuhar PBS tape gave me the bow makin bug back in 95....one man I wished I had met....he was from Mississippi too   :D

[Chris Surtees]

I was lucky enough to pick the Choctaw up from Ray Hammond about a year ago. Great shooting bow and one of prettiest all Osage bows I have ever seen. Almost afraid to shoot it at times for fear of something happening to it. Once I get back it is going on a pig for sure though.

[philil]

Tried a "joebuck-style" feather rest yesterday    
Great arrow flight but I think my alu-arrows are a little to loud when drawn over the rest.

Has anyone had problems wih that while hunting?
Also can you actually use vanes on the feather rest when it's one of those wet hunting days?

Phil

[joebuck]

Hello Philil, I shoot alum. arrows also and hadn't (to my knowledge) had an animal spook...I probably will one day becasue all the weird stuff always happens to me!

I also mount my feather rest leaving about 2 feathers wide clearance from side plate. Then I shoot my Plastic Vanes with Cock feather UP!..It makes a difference..........good luck

[last arrow]

Thanks Joebuck, sounds like it as simple as they look.  Putting tape on to cut the feather will help.  

I only have one question, do I need to use right wing feathers for right handed shooters and left wing for left handed shooters?

Thanks for your help.  Enjoyed the story in the TBM last month too.

[joebuck]

Thanks Blaine..rule is right wing for right hand shooter. Now lesson 201 is I just mount feathers together on scarp board cut about 1/2" high and burn them at one time with feather burner!!!..but steady hand for that...also tip here is do not push down to hard on feather to scrap board becasue you will have to pull them up and place on bow...good luck

[philil]

Thanks joebuck...I'll give it another try with more space between side plate and rest.    

Phil