dowel making tool

[mikieg]

what is the name of the company that sells the dowel making device that kinda works like a pencil sharpener? seems like they have many attachments that make many different diameter dowels. also, has anyone used one of these to make arrow shafts with?

[Crimson mist]

Lee Valley

[bamboo]

its a lot of work to make a matched dozen--but it can make a real good arrow--buy or make a good spine tester-and a scale--and use good wood
  the lee valley is a well made tool

[DVSHUNTER]

The tool is made by Veritas not Lee Vally, but lee vally sells them.  I use the 3/8 cutter and have made good shafts, they need sanding or burnishing after they are cut, but I think it is worth it.

[mikieg]

i was wondering where you buy boards to make into shafts? and what are you looking for when grading potential shaft boards?

[Mike Mecredy]

Go to a lumber yard and get some popler board, they also have them at Lowes/Home Depot.  Straight grain board work best, just rip down some into 7/16" squares and run them through the veritas dowing/tennon jig with a drill, then sand them to desired diameter with some 60 -80 grit and finish them off with 150 - 200 grit.
Pine and fir will work too.

[Don Stokes]

I still have the doweler that was used to make the Superceder shafts, with heads of all arrow shaft sizes. I also have the custom tapering machine that was used to barrel taper the shafts. It will also make single tapers. I would love for someone to take them home, cheap. They've been in storage since '97, and the tapering machine especially will need considerable rehab- rust removal, new seals for the air cylinder, etc. They are very heavy, too heavy for me to ship, and would have to be picked up here in north MS.

Anyone seriously interested in making arrow shafts can PM me. And I do mean CHEAP!

[Shaun]

Don, PM sent.

[spider1]

I have the smaller Lee Valley tool by Veritus. They have a better tool also, it is pretty pricy but cuts to standard arrow shaft diameters. I think that's the one you are looking for.

I also made one of the router table jigs. Mine is made of aluminum and has interchangable bushings, one of the perks of being a machinist!

I use a planing board to cut the corners off my 1/2" blanks. Then I use the Lee Valley tool to cut my blanks to a slightly heavy 3/8". This tool leaves some tear out and rough surfaces. I set up my router table jig to cut a slightly heavy 11/32 and run the 3/8 dowel through it. Cleans it up a bit and makes them a tad heavy. Then I sand them smooth and check with my spine checker. Doesn't take long to have a set all sanded smooth and spined properly.

My last 3 dozen shafts cost me about $6. I use Douglas-fir and used to get it at the local Lowes. Unfortunately they stopped selling it so I need to find a new source, especially since I'm running low on shafts.

[razorback]

Spider, any chance of some photo's of your set up.

[spider1]

I'll give it a try. Been a while since I've posted pictures here.

This is the simple plane setup I use to square off the corners. I used it a few times to make shafts but it didn't do as nice a job as the veritus tool.
   


After knocking off the corners, I spin it through this gadget, It's the less expensive Veritus tool from Lee Valley. If I don't knock off the corners, I get some nasty tearout. This tool isn't micro adjustable and brings the blank to 3/8".
   


This is the router set up. It's the only picture I have of it. It's been slightly updated over that last couple years. Mainly with more supports for the shaft as it feeds out.
   

[mikieg]

man thats awesome! thanks for sharing.

[spider1]

you bet.

 Lee Valley has a real neat shaft maker. Like I said, it's pricey, but if you go through a lot of shafts or have a big family it could be worth it. Chippin in with a few buddies could be a good way to go. But one thing, if you are going to make shafts, you need a spine checker. And you will get good at straightening shafts. Personally, I like steam. Gets 'em straight and they dry out fast.

[sulphur]

i did a build along on the *********** with the 3/8 dowel maker.  here is the link.
 http://***********.bowsite.com/TF/lw/thread2.cfm?forum=23&threadid=190256&category=

[Ed Isaacs]

I have both tools and the 3/8 dowel maker works just fine.  You can even adjust it to make smaller shaft sizes by moving the blade just a bit.

[Sal]

Don, why did they (you?) stop making the superceders?  What kind of wood was it?  I heard nothing but good stuff when they were still around.