Laminated birch arrows breaking off in foam target?

[Scott S.]

I made some 5/16" laminated birch arrows for a friend of mine.  He tried them out.  One of the arrows (bare shaft) broke in a Black Hole foam block target the FIRST time he shot it.  Another arrow (fletched) broke after the third shot.  They broke about mid-shaft.  The other laminated birch arrows I have tried in the past were VERY durable.  Other than a possible bad batch of wood, what might be going on here?

Thanks for any help.

[arrowslinger22]

About 6 years ago, I had some the broke, delaminated near the fletching when I released the arrow.  I have scars on my left hand to prove it. Looked like the glue was good, but the wood pealed apart.  Don't shoot them anymore and wouldn't try laminated birch again.

[BWD]

Are they hitting straight or at a fairly severe angle?

[Don Stokes]

It's not unusual for bare shaft woods to break if shot into a hard target (that's why I bare shaft at close range and use soft foam), but fletched arrows should never break like that. Ditch them before someone gets hurt.

[frank bullitt]

Yes, I agree with BWD, bareshafting in a solid foam target is the problem. The only natural shaft I wood do that with would be cane. And still not a good idea.

For bareshafting, hang a piece of butcher paper on a frame, and shoot thru that.

[ron w]

The first batch of Lam. birch I got I shot a bunch and put broadheads on some, shot them and hunt with them.My friend gave me a doz. that he made and they did not last long at all. Most broke mid shaft, for what seemed like no reason. I went back to cedar.I still hunt with the leftovers from that fist batch.Not sure I would buy them again....might go with hickory! I like a heavy shaft!

[Scott S.]

From what I understand (haven't seen it myself), they are going in fairly straight.  

I did not think The Block was that hard of a target to do this.  I wonder if the direction of the foam layers (vertical vs. horizontal) would make a difference?

Don, I am not doubting you, but please explain to me why the bare shaft should react differently than a fletched one.

[WESTBROOK]

Lam birch are tough head-on impact shaft but the break quite easily doing what your doing. I broke a lot my self till I wised up. They are infact plywood, the same rules of strength apply.

I wont buy any more lam birch, the quality just aint there for the price you pay. My draw length keeps me from shortening the shafts, and the ends of the shaft alot of times is not true. There is usually a flare or dip at the end of the shaft that screws up getting a good taper.

If I want heavy I go with Hickory or Ash.

Eric