wooden shaft length/diameter questions

[poekoelan]

Why is it that most commercial wooden arrow shafts only come in lengths 32"??

Also, why is it that the biggest diameter is 23/64"?

Those of us who use dowels for arrows know that the smallest length we can buy is 36" and the only diameters we can buy are 5/16 and 3/8. Some of us have to buy 3/8 and do extra work to get arrows in the 60 to 75 spine range.

I'll occasionally hear a guy say that he can't get the length or the spine he wants in wood. If this guy used dowels for arrows he wouldn't have any problem getting the spine or the length he wants. If the wooden dowel industry can provide this, how come the wooden arrow shaft industry can't??

Just something I pondered lately.

[KodiakBob]

How long do you need? Try Wapiti's website for shaft info.

[poekoelan]

I don't need any. I was just wondering why this is.

[aromakr]

poeloelan:
I been in the arrow business for over fifteen years and can count on one hand the orders I've had for arrows over 31" long. longer shafts = more material= higher cost to the consumer. as far as diameter is concerned 3/8 shafts will spine quite high, the average bow weight is between 45/55# no need making a product there is little market for. I can remember in the mid 50's when 3/8" shafts were made, very few sold. Those using bows 70# and above with 30" draws maybe, but not a big market.
Bob

[pdubya]

I bought some 3/8 chinese birch dowels ( I think ) cut to 29 1/2" and hand planed the nock end 10" and then chucked into drill and sanded to 5/16. Did the same to the point to 11/32. Put on .38 shells as blunts and they weigh about 595 grains. No idea about spine but seem to shoot so much better than aluminum which was all I had. Bows are self bows and one recurve all at 45#. Any way to guess spine without tester?

[WESTBROOK]

What length could you make shafts to sell as "dowels" and not as "arrow shafts" and avoid the exise tax?

Eric

[SCATTERSHOT]

pdubya,you can get the spine for an aluminum shaft that you have from Foxfire Archery website, then affix one end to the wall and hang a weight on the other end. Measure how it bends, and then do the same with a dowel. If it bends more, it's weaker. If it bends less, it's stiffer.

That's only ballpark, but it works.