Author Topic: Arrow Buildalong???????? (Read 15218 times)

Ranger58 · « **Reply #40 on:** November 22, 2004, 01:30:00 PM »

Hey Fletch,
I'm still waitin! Just ttt! Hope you get the bug worked out of Photobucket. Thanks for your time and efforts, they are appreciated.
L8r

fletcharrows · « **Reply #41 on:** November 22, 2004, 06:44:00 PM »

OK - so far we sealed and painted the shafts. They are usable as is but the finish cresting will rub off if we fletch em now. I do a final finish at this point that I will describe and show. After you do this - you can use the shafts as tomato stakes for a year - then pull em up and fletch and go kill your winter food. Take the arrows, and while holding the nock end - dip them down into polycrylic untill all of the cresting has been covered. Let the excess run off and back into the tube. Don't worry too much about air bubbles because unlike the oil based poly, this stuff doesn't seem to hold the bubbles in the finish - they all pop. Within an hour - take the shafts off the rack and wipe the wet end a bit and let them sit another half hour. At this point they are ready to finish coat. If you have arrows with any other color than white, you can hold the arrow by the point end and full length dip it into the oil based poly and let the excess run off. Wipe the nock in about an hour and let dry overnight. They are almost bullet proof after this layer drys up.
White arrows pose another problem all together. Too deep of an oil based poly coat will yellow our white crown which is highly undesireable. Some guys don't mind but I'm not some guys and it bothers me. So I hold the arrow by the nock end and dip it into the oil based poly up until it gets to the white, just barely. When that coat drys - I dip it again holding the point end, only this time I run the shaft through a gasket. That way the poly coat is thin enough to not fade or yellow the white crown. I know this sounds like a lot of work but I think I get a superior finish that lasts far longer than the arrow. Most of break or are lost before the finish fails. Several of my arrows have been found a year after being lost at shoots and except for the fletch looked good.
On another note - You will notice that the arrows are cut and point taperd to length. Ga.boy has purchased these arrows and they have a good home where they can get shot often. If we are lucky - he will do an independent review of my work when the arrows arrive. Now I have to cut feathers and begin to fletch.

fletch

fletcharrows · « **Reply #42 on:** November 22, 2004, 06:47:00 PM »

OK - in this pic you will notice they are cut and tapered to length

fletch

Van/TX · « **Reply #43 on:** November 22, 2004, 07:48:00 PM »

Too cool Fletch

....Van

Tracy McQueen · « **Reply #44 on:** November 22, 2004, 09:49:00 PM »

Go fletch! I really like the U-tube idea for dealing with bubbles.

Guys I will personally vouch for fletch's arrows if you want him to make YOU some. He's also a heck of a nice guy.

Roughcountry · « **Reply #45 on:** November 22, 2004, 11:06:00 PM »

Thanks Fletch, Good one

Ga.boy · « **Reply #46 on:** November 23, 2004, 12:17:00 PM »

Fletch,

I will be glad to do a reveiw when I get the arrows. They are really lookin good! I knew I had to have them once I saw those GA. Bulldog colors! You are doing a great job with your explanations and pics. I'm definitely going to try my hand at building arrows after deer season.

fletcharrows · « **Reply #47 on:** November 23, 2004, 10:47:00 PM »

OK - didn't want you guys to think I was slacking. I've been real busy so all I could do today was cut feathers and lay on 6 cock feathers. I measured out the lengths and I index by the black stripe. Can't be too far off cuz we are gonna burn them to shape when we are done. You will see my feather block where I cut the fletching before putting it in the clamp.

fletch

Marvin M. · « **Reply #48 on:** November 24, 2004, 08:23:00 AM »

Did I miss something? Come on Fletch, I thought you were going to show us how you splice those pretty feathers, not just stick them on there.

fletcharrows · « **Reply #49 on:** November 25, 2004, 12:04:00 AM »

OK - I will show you tomorrow. I got really busy today and hardly got anything done on these. I do cheat though, I just stack them into the clam and make sure that the barbs are on a similar angle. I'll make sure to take a little time with it tomorrow and post the pics.

fletch

fletcharrows · « **Reply #50 on:** November 27, 2004, 12:36:00 PM »

Sorry for the delays guys - My puter pooped. Cant do too much till I get a new one. email me or PM me if we had any deals going. I promise i will finish this buildalong as soon as I can get back to normal business.

fletch

Ga.boy · « **Reply #51 on:** December 09, 2004, 05:42:00 PM »

I got the arrows today and they are just beautiful! Everything came together just right, from the brass points to the 3 color spliced feathers. Excellent job Fletch. They are all as straight as an ar.., well you know, and the finish is excellent. I can't wait for the rain to stop so that I can get out and shoot them. I'll be glad when you to get your puter back up so you can finish the build along. I especially want to see how you splice. I could post a picture, but think it better to wait and see the natural progression. Thanks Fletch...great job.

Walkingstick · « **Reply #52 on:** December 09, 2004, 06:34:00 PM »

Hope wew finish this someday...Mac~

Ranger58 · « **Reply #53 on:** December 10, 2004, 09:25:00 AM »

Hey Fletch,
Where ya been? Did you get the puter up and running yet? Anxiously awaitin the rest of the story....
L8r

fletcharrows · « **Reply #54 on:** December 13, 2004, 12:59:00 AM »

I am back online - I will finish this dude up this week heheheheheeeeeee

fletch

Bible5 · « **Reply #55 on:** December 13, 2004, 05:24:00 AM »

These look GREAT already! :eek: :eek:

Luke Vander Vennen · « **Reply #56 on:** February 20, 2005, 09:57:00 PM »

ttt just cause it's such a great build-a-long

fletcharrows, you still out there?

SteveD · « **Reply #57 on:** February 21, 2005, 07:41:00 AM »

Fletch, Great Build along. I just ordered some wood arrows and i just built a crester for an old cordless drill motor. Now i can't wait to start.
Thanks for the info Steve

wildcat · « **Reply #58 on:** February 21, 2005, 10:33:00 AM »

Nice buildalong. Thanks for doing this.

Ga.boy · « **Reply #59 on:** February 21, 2005, 11:53:00 AM »

I'll try to post a picture of the finished arrows tonight. Thanks for getting this one back up L.V.V.

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Author Topic: Arrow Buildalong???????? (Read 15218 times)

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