carbon arrow selection help

[sendero25]

I have always shot aluminum arrows and am now wanting to try carbons. I have a couple of questions regarding selection.
I am considering the Easton Axis arrows due to their small diameter and was wondering if I have to use the "Hidden" inserts that come with them or are brass inserts available for the small diameter shafts?
If not the axis, what carbons do you all recommend?
I would like to get as much weight up front as I can.
My bows are as follows and the draw weights are for my 27.5" draw,
Black Widow PLV  64" 44-46lbs
Tomahawk Diamond Desert Fos, 64" 52lbs
Martin Serengeti recurve 60"48lbs
Bear K-mag  53" 47lbs

I am also considering tapered carbons, but I have no experience in tuning tapered shafts. If I choose tapered shafts do I need to cut them from both ends or just the nock end to get the correct spine?
Thanks for all your help and advice....again!
John

[sendero25]

Sorry for the bad spelling,
It is a desert fox, not fos!
And the k-mag is 52", not 53, but yall knew that!
Thanks again
John

[JRY309]

If you were going with Axis I would choose Axis 500,start full length and tune from there.Beman MFX are the same as Axis but alittle heavier gpi and cost less.You can use the standard inserts or 100 gr. brass for axis/mfx.For tapered carbons like AD Trad lites you only cut from the insert end,if you cut from the nock end the nocks will no longer fit.The only tapered carbons that you cut from both ends are like Easton ACE because they are tapered on both ends and very expensive.The new Carbon Express Heritage 90's may work good also they have a .530 spine.Contact Sipsey River and he can help you out.He also has a special on Vapor 2000 which may work good also.

[Cherokee Scout]

Gold Tip 3555 would work in these bows if tip weight was right, maybe 145-200 depending on arrow length and whcih bow you are shooting.

[sendero25]

Thanks for the advice!
Another quick question, during the tuning process, what glue should I use, that is easily reversable, if I need to change point weight, or inserts often, or need to cut the shaft a couple of times to get the best arrow flight?
Am I correct that I should not use heat on the carbon shaft to remove inserts?
If hot melt or something similar is used, would it be safe to heat the field point and let the heat transfer into the insert to remove it or would that damage the carbon shaft as well?
Thanks again,
John

[longbowray]

i shot a 52# 62in boblee t/d @28 1/2 w/ axis cut 29 1/2 400 w/ 100gr. brass inserts with 145 piont they weight is 545 with good speed about 185 to 190

[longbowray]

and if you wont it heavier try putting two of the 100gr inserts per shaft with your darw that might work ?

[sendero25]

JRY, ray, and John,
Thanks for the help!

[JRY309]

I don't like to use any heat on a carbon shaft,I know alot of guys do it with no problem.But no carbon arrow manufacturer recommends any heat on their carbon shafts.You can tune carbons without installing the inserts depending on what type of target you use.
For my carbon tuning I shoot through a 2" thick foam target into a soft bag target.I push the insert in with some plastic food wrap,it holds the insert in while tuning without using any heat on the shaft.The 2" foam target holds the position of the arrow and the bag target doesn't grab tight enough to pull the insert out with the plastic food wrap.
After I'm happy with my tuning I then glue in the inserts.The key to getting inserts to hold is to properly prep the shafts.I'll etch or scratch the inside with a bore brush or prep tool.I then clean the inside with alcohol and let dry a few minutes and then epoxy in with Powerbond or AAE two part insert epoxy.If I'm installing brass inserts I'll even scratch them with some sandpaper and clean before installing them.Haven't had any problems with inserts coming out.On Axis/MFX I just clean them with alcohol and install the inserts with the supplied HIT epoxy,I even tune them the same way as I do with other carbons before glueing the inserts.

[sendero25]

JRY,
Thanks again.
I just went to our local Gander Mountain and picked up a half dozen Axis 500s, and ordered a half dozen Grizzly Stik Sitkas,
Now the tuning begins. I really appreciate the advice on how to get the inserts in without glue. I'll give it a try!
John