Woodies....how straight is straight?

[Starkman]

Fellas,
I switched to wood arrows about 2 months ago, and needless to say, I'm hooked.  I can get my shafts fairly straight, but when I roll them on a flat surface or crestor I get a very slight wobble.  Is it impossible to get woodies completely straight or is it as critical with woodies?
Bob

[George D. Stout]

It's not as critical, but it's always good to strive for the straightest you can achieve.  You can learn to straighten them by hand fairly well.
There are other tools you can use; Three Rivers Archery and Kustom King Archery sell such tools.

Cedar, especially, has the unique ability to fly straight even if not perfectly so.

[Jason Lester]

Check out the how to section on how to straighten arrows. Its a great way to straighten with just a screwdriver.

[Starkman]

Thanks guys...I can get my arrows fairly straight by the methods described in a few previous threads using my hand and screwdriver.  However, there always seems to be an area(s) that have very minor bends that appear when I roll them.  Am I expecting to much to get them straight like aluminums and carbons?
Bob

[SlowBowinMO]

Because they are not hollow, the center of mass is in the middle of the shaft not the outside wall.  Therefore they do not need to be as straight to fly beautifully.

If you can SEE bends I would continue to work on them though.

[woodchucker]

Some of my straightest shooting arrows aren't very "straight" at all LOL.

HOWEVER.....They are fletched with 3 - 5 1/2" High Sheild cut feathers with a 11 degree helical and they spin like a top!!!!!

My arrows don't wobble,and my broadheads don't "windplane"

The "secret" is the fletching  

[madness522]

I don't recommend doing this with broadheads but with a field tip on the palm of one hand you can spin the arrow and feel for a wobble.  Try it with one of your worse bent arrows and compare it to one that is almost straight.  You could work yourself silly trying to get every wood shaft perfectly straight.  When I can spin one on your hand and not feel a hard wobble I call it good enough. One thing to note here is make sure the field point is perfectly straight on the end of the shaft.

[bbassi]

someone should post a pic of the cane arrows some guys shoot. Straight is good, but it's relative. If the fly straight, they're good. I think you can actually change the spine of an arrow by working it too much.

[Starkman]

Thanks for the input. My arrows are "straight" for the most part and I'm getting very good flight, so maybe I just need to quit fretting over it.
Bob

[Artur]

I've sen some not-so-straight woodies fly right where the archer wanted 'em to go, so "straightness" in woodies is relative. If you can't see the bend with your eyes, it's probably straight enough...

I use an old electric-fence insulator for straightening shafts; the groove for the wire is just the right size, and the curve in the groove doesn't flatten the shaft like a screw-driver does. Plus, I can put the tool in my front pants pocket and not have to worry about stabbing myself when I sit down....

[Brian Krebs]

I use my worst wood arrows for use with rubber blunts; and I get good flight - with 5 1/2 inch fletch. They WILL be effected by a crosswind if it is strong enough- but when its relatively still out- they are like heat seeking missles.

[**DONOTDELETE**]

I use an old electric-fence insulator for straightening shafts; the groove for the wire is just the right size, and the curve in the groove doesn't flatten the shaft like a screw-driver does.

This is a great idea! I've got a bunch of those out in the barn too....I gotta try this one. Thanks Art! outstanding practical tool....i love it.    Kirk

[Artur]

Originally posted by Kirkll:

I use an old electric-fence insulator for straightening shafts; the groove for the wire is just the right size, and the curve in the groove doesn't flatten the shaft like a screw-driver does.

This is a great idea! I've got a bunch of those out in the barn too....I gotta try this one. Thanks Art! outstanding practical tool....i love it.    Kirk [/b]

Saving money where possible is always good. Much welcome, Kirk.