True Trad Arrow Buildalong

[fletcharrows]

First let me say, I've missed you all.

I haven't had a lot of time in the last year or so and I'm behind a bit on my reading here. I did a check of some of the build alongs and I haven't found any that discuss what I intend to work out in this discussion. If there is interest, I would like to do a long discussion of how to build trad arrows from scratch in any shop using regular wood tools that almost every wood hobbyist has. We can do arrows that are self nocked, tapered and even done from lumber or timber. The discussion can show every step. everybody that has looked at my earlier stuff here knows that I will give away all of the secrets to building arrows. I will post copious pics on another server and even incorporate other machines that some of you members have built if you want to email me pics. So like I said, I'm going to build a bunch of arrows, all are welcome to follow along if they want to learn. In fact, post to let me know if you are interested and let me know if there are things that you want to learn. I will try to help step by step. THERE IS NO REASON THAT TRULY TRAD PEOPLE SHOULDN'T BE ABLE TO CREATE THEIR OWN GEAR. EXCEPT WHEN TIME GETS IN THE WAY.

Good to see you all again.

fletch

[pjsnell]

I would like to see how you do it.
The main question for me is: how do you know your wood is going to make shafts that spine out where you want them to?  Or do you make a bunch, and use the ones that turn out closest to your desired spine.

[BleekLight]

sounds good can't wait to read along

[theunluckyhunter]

i would love to see some shafts made from simple hand tools...like a planer, knife, sand paper etc...

[fletcharrows]

I'll get started with pics tomorrow. For me simple tools are machines that I build out of other machines that I have, e.g. dowel maker from a router and taper machine from a sander. I also like reinforced self nocks. This should all be very fun. I've been out of it for about a year so I'm getting my wood legs back. The shop is shaping up nicely.

fletch

[Terry Riley]

Hey Mike!
      Glad to see your still around these parts. Looking forward to your build alonge.

Terry

[VTer]

Yes, self nocks and how you do footed arrows. Thanks.

[wislnwings]

I'm looking forward to following along.

[WilliamMcC]

Man I would love to see how footing is done!   :p  

Making arrows for timber and saplings is awesome! I am just finishing up some river cane arrows and have a bundle of wild rose wood seasoning.  

[dosbow56]

Howdy Stranger.......
Folks, if anybody know about building arrows it's this guy right here! and don't let him buff ya, he builds a pretty mean bow too. Good to see ya around again Bud. Looking forward to picking up some pro hints.
Dave

[JAG]

Let's do it!  Self nocks, tapered shafts, how to cut the lumber, make dowels, and then arrows.
I make most all my own gear.  Just never had the chance to build, learn to build, an arrow from scratch.
Thanks, Johnny/JAG

[Gnat]

I'm extremely interested in this process and will definitely be watching along.

Thanks for sharing the knowledge!

[MossyOak]

I'm ready to learn how to construct trad arrows.

[ductape]

Count me in. I would love to learn how to construct my own arrows.  

[snag]

I'm interested too. I have some damascus hand forged heads that I want to mount on some wood shafts with sinew...?

[Fletcher]

This sounds great to me.  I'm listening!

[Shakes.602]

Yeah!!     What Fletcher Said!!      

[dosbow56]

Rick, (Fletcher)
You're being too modest, you should be doing a build along, how-to too......Guys, these are the Masters!........
Dave

[fletcharrows]

I've been fletching a few arrow shafts just to get my skills back in order. I think I'm almost up to speed. In this discussion we will attack several things at different times and not necessarily from the beginning. First we will do reinforced self nocking and tapering as they are pretty simple. The only real tool that you need to have is a 4 inch sander. I will have the kid take some shots later of me using it. this ca also be done on a 6 inch sander but I save that one for real work in my shop. I also think I will save this discussion in an email form and send it out to all those that want it in a few weeks. At least the instructional parts. I'm going to build about 20 or so dozen self nocked tapered shafts so it might take a little bit to get to each part.

PS Good to see you too Terry and everybody else. feel free to email me at [email protected] for anything and especially just to say hello. that goes for everybody      

fletch

[fletcharrows]

My first answer to a question is to PJSNELL. How do we get the spine we want? It is actually pretty easy. the weight of the arrow is far more difficult to match. I will show you how to make a simple machine from a router and a piece of wood that will turn out a 3/8" dowel using a drill for rotation. then you will sand the shaft on the 4 inch grinder. You can keep spining the shaft till it gets right where you need it. Then we taper the shaft to 5/16 at the nock to even out all paradox within the set. In other words the nock ends are all the same so the final stress on the spine is all the same. This way each arrow leaves the shelf the same way. We can address the numerous ways to get to the same weights later but you will find that it is pretty easy to get close in sets of 3 and 6 arrows. this works great for hardwood dowels  at the lumber yard as well.

back soon.

fletch