Help with wood arrows

NewtoTrad2008 · October 07, 2009, 06:21:00 PM

I am wanting to make my own wood arrows but I am not really sure where to start. I have a Mohawk longbow 60#@28" not center cut. I only draw 26.5" so the weight is around 50#'s. I want to start with a bare shaft and go from there, dipping cresting, fletching....the whole nine yards. I have everything to get started except for the shafts, I was thinking POC's but was not sure if I get 50-55# do I leave them full length? What do you all suggest I start with? I have been looking for some sort of "tutorial" but have come up empty. Any suggestions you have would be appreciated. Thanks

**DONOTDELETE** · October 07, 2009, 06:31:00 PM

I would go with a 60-65 shaft. Start full length and cut if needed for best flight. what point weight are you going to use?

**DONOTDELETE** · October 07, 2009, 06:32:00 PM

better yet get the test kit from 3rivers. This will give you some different spine arrows.

Gerardo · October 07, 2009, 06:37:00 PM

start 60-65 I draw 27 and my bows go for 53# , have found that 29" with 125 fly beatifully!!!!!

bentpole · October 07, 2009, 06:40:00 PM

Matt, I have a Widow PL. It's 50@ 28"s. I draw 27"s so 47#s I called them to see what they recommend for wood arrows.The folks there said 60/65 with 125 up front. I cut them to 28"s. Perfect. I will not shoot anything else out of that bow. POC's Parallel or Sitka Spruce nock tapered.Funny Vince from Mohawk was the one that recommended wood arrows to me when I had my Mohawk. I would call Vince and see what he says. He wouldn't steer you wrong and save you alot of time and money on experimentation. They are alot quieter, quick , and hit the target with authority.

NewtoTrad2008 · October 07, 2009, 06:41:00 PM

I am not stuck on any particular point weight, i was probably going to start at 125

NewtoTrad2008 · October 07, 2009, 11:25:00 PM

Thanks all-
I think I will take bentpole's advice and give Vince a call.

Brently · October 08, 2009, 12:55:00 AM

I shoot a 60# Robertson long bow and draw 27". I use a 65-70 arrow cut to 29 7/8. 125gr tip and they fly great. I have found that with wood arrows you can use a varied range of spines and still have arrows that work great. Good luck with the arrow making, that is the best part of archery to me.

m midd · October 08, 2009, 01:49:00 AM

i would get the test kit. Every bow is different.
I shoot a 62" 60# tomahawk. i draw 28" and i shoot a 29" 55-60 spine POC with a 125 grain head. i tried quite a few different spines before i achieved perfect flight.

Bill Carlsen · October 08, 2009, 08:02:00 AM

I think your first post about using 50# spine was pretty close to being on target for the bow you described. When I made custom arrows and you would have asked me that is where I would have started, especially with a 125 gr. point. The only factor that might change the spine up to 55-60 would be if you used a fast flight type of string material. If your string is B-50 then the lower spine should be good. Non center shot longbows are sometimes difficult to apply a formula to but you sound like you are on the right track.

snag · October 08, 2009, 01:38:00 PM

I think Gerardo is on the money. Do you know how much out from center the bow is cut?

NewtoTrad2008 · October 08, 2009, 02:14:00 PM

I am not sure how much out of center it is,I think it is about 1/4-1/2"

Fletcher · October 08, 2009, 03:41:00 PM

Starting at 60 @ 28", you will be close to 55-56 lb at 26.5" draw. I went to the Mowhawk site and it doesn't say, but his bows look to be cut pretty close to center to about 1/8" out. I couldn't tell about the string either, but I suspect it is a "hard" string. Your correct spine will depend on arrow length, point weight and you, but I would start with a 55-60 for a 28" BOP arrow.

A set of "test" arrows is a great help in finding the right spine. One good option would be to get a half doz or so shafts that spine from about 52 up to 62 lb and make up your first batch of arrows with these. Play with arrow length and point weight to find what you like and then order some matched shafts. If you have a hard time finding the shafts, let me know and I will probably have some that will work.

Enjoy the journey!

snag · October 08, 2009, 05:11:00 PM

http://www.heilakka.com/stumiller/

This is a helpful link to a spine calculator that gets you right in the ball park! I think the 55#-60# range is good. Now depending on the point weight I think you will be 28"-29" bop.

Another thing is if you are going to hunt with these arrows also, you should think about the weight of the broadhead you will be using. You can then make up the arrows for that tip weight and switch out the field tips for broadheads when you are getting them ready to hunt.