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Author Topic: The $.92 Arrow pictorial, for penny pinchers  (Read 697 times)

Offline Mike Mecredy

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The $.92 Arrow pictorial, for penny pinchers
« on: November 05, 2010, 11:45:00 AM »
I wanted to share a few things on how I make arrows at a very low price (by todays standards). These work well, but you won't win any 300 rounds with them or see a hard core competitor use them but they work well for all other shooting / hunting applications.  

For starters you'll need a fletcher, a feather chopper, and a taper tool.  I don't include those in the $.92 claim since they'll be used over and over.

Now for the materials I used a 5/16" birch dowel from woodcrafter.com they cost $16.00 / 100, making them $.16 each. Check for knots and runouts and other weak spots, (like Scattershot mentions later on) Also use heat or friction on the kinks and straighten them first.  I used full length feathers from Sagittarius Archery for $25.00 / 100, enough to make one arrow costs. $.38.  I used nocks from 3 rivers, $.11 each and points from 3 rivers as well, at $.27 each.  There is an initial investment but it pay off big in the long run.
 

Fist I like to "bar" my feathers, the ones already barred cost more.  I use a fat sharpie,You can also use leather dye, the sort with the round foam applicator and make dots or half moons,
   
 I make a pattern, in this case I did 'h" shape on the white ones and lighting bolts on the orange ones,with random dots. Mark from the top down and perpendicular to hairs (I dond't know what they're called) or at a 45 degree angle to the quill.
   
Then I use a 4" parabolic little copper and make the chops
   
Here's how they turn out    

Then taper the shafts with a taper tool of your choosing  in stall the point and nock. For all the gluing, nocks points and fletvching, I use cheap dollar store super glue gel. 3 tubes for a buck

Then fletch it, I have a love/hate relationship with the Jo Jan.  
   

Here's the $.92 arrow, It's cut 29" BOP and wieghs 510 grains, and spines around 38#, which makes it work well for recurves and longbows with shelves in the 40# range and makes them perfect for 50# english style longbows that require a weaker spine.  (Remember they are 510 grains.) I like to use an acrylic base spray to seal them once they are fletched, and it seals everything and won't hurt the feathers.  
   

I used my 53#, bamboo backed hickory longbow, no rest no shelf, no side plate, just off my hand, and it goes right where it should go.  Notice I added a section of an arrow wrap to crest it. I just use peice of wraps so they'll go furthur.

   
TGMM Family of the bow
USAF, Retired
A.C.B.C.S.

Offline vermonster13

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Re: The $.92 Arrow pictorial, for penny pinchers
« Reply #1 on: November 05, 2010, 11:50:00 AM »
Well done Mike
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Offline SCATTERSHOT

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Re: The $.92 Arrow pictorial, for penny pinchers
« Reply #2 on: November 05, 2010, 11:53:00 AM »
great post, Mike. I have used those dowels myself, and second your opinion on their usability. One caveat, though, be sure to flex them before you go to the trouble of making an arrow. They are dowels, after all, and may have some weak spots or knots.

Good job!
"Experience is a series of non - fatal mistakes."

Offline Mike Mecredy

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Re: The $.92 Arrow pictorial, for penny pinchers
« Reply #3 on: November 05, 2010, 11:53:00 AM »
Oh, and I actually shot that arrow too, from about 18 yrds, I didn't just stick it in the hay bail.
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Offline Mike Mecredy

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Re: The $.92 Arrow pictorial, for penny pinchers
« Reply #4 on: November 05, 2010, 12:14:00 PM »
Yes, check for knots amd run outs.  Glad you mentioned it Eugene
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Offline joekeith

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Re: The $.92 Arrow pictorial, for penny pinchers
« Reply #5 on: November 05, 2010, 12:22:00 PM »
:thumbsup:

Offline twitchstick

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Re: The $.92 Arrow pictorial, for penny pinchers
« Reply #6 on: November 05, 2010, 12:31:00 PM »
I like the use of the sharpy for the barbs.  :thumbsup:

Offline canoeman

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Re: The $.92 Arrow pictorial, for penny pinchers
« Reply #7 on: November 05, 2010, 12:44:00 PM »
Thanks Mike, that looks like the kind of arrow I can afford to shoot often.

Offline Mike Mecredy

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Re: The $.92 Arrow pictorial, for penny pinchers
« Reply #8 on: November 05, 2010, 01:09:00 PM »
If you have rubber stamps you can get a little creative with the sharpie as well  

 

I used tracks on those ones, but for kids, (you know,) happy faces, butterflies, kitties, stars, whoop-ti-doos etc.
TGMM Family of the bow
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Offline Bjorn

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Re: The $.92 Arrow pictorial, for penny pinchers
« Reply #9 on: November 05, 2010, 01:13:00 PM »
:thumbsup:    :thumbsup:

Offline captainkirk

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Re: The $.92 Arrow pictorial, for penny pinchers
« Reply #10 on: November 05, 2010, 01:20:00 PM »
Thanks for the tutorial.  You may have even converted me to try making my own.

captainkirk

Offline Mike Mecredy

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Re: The $.92 Arrow pictorial, for penny pinchers
« Reply #11 on: November 05, 2010, 01:45:00 PM »
The intial investment is a little much,

Chopper  $21.50
Fletcher $102.50
(if you want a single) $40.00
100 dowels $16.00
100 feathers 25.00
100 points   26.50
100 nocks    11.00
total       $202.50 (and shipping)
(Or $139.50 and shipping if you get a single fletcher)  But with arrows costing as much as they do per dozen it's worth it.

(Or you can do what I did and find stuff used but that took me nearly 8 months)
TGMM Family of the bow
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A.C.B.C.S.

Offline Shakes.602

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Re: The $.92 Arrow pictorial, for penny pinchers
« Reply #12 on: November 05, 2010, 01:54:00 PM »
I use Ramin Wood for Shafts, and am Proud to be a "Penny Pincher"!!  "WANTS AND NEEDS"  My Friends!!
"Carpe Cedar" Seize the Arrow!
"Life doesn't get Simpler; it gets Shorter and Turns in Smaller Circles." Dean Torges
"Faith is to Prayer what the Feather is to the Arrow" Thomas Morrow
"Ah Think They Should Outlaw Them Thar Crossbows" A Hunting Pal

Offline rastaman

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Re: The $.92 Arrow pictorial, for penny pinchers
« Reply #13 on: November 05, 2010, 02:11:00 PM »
Very cool!  :thumbsup:    :thumbsup:
TGMM Family of the Bow

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Offline tex-archer

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Re: The $.92 Arrow pictorial, for penny pinchers
« Reply #14 on: November 05, 2010, 03:40:00 PM »
Great idea for the feathers. I'm going to do that on my daughters arrows. Thanks for the info.
Aim small, miss small!!

Offline penrosefred

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Re: The $.92 Arrow pictorial, for penny pinchers
« Reply #15 on: November 05, 2010, 09:03:00 PM »
I just have to try that, thanks a lot
I have been blessed, beyond measure.

Offline Cookus

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Re: The $.92 Arrow pictorial, for penny pinchers
« Reply #16 on: November 05, 2010, 10:42:00 PM »
Thanks for the tutorial Mike!   I can't wait to see the kids bows for Christmas!   I took your advice when I placed the order for the dowel rods you suggested.   After arriving, they became awesome arrows overnight!   As per our discussion (same as the tutorial) all 3 kids will be shooting your bows on Christmas morning!   I just need to finish their quivers (coon, bobcat, and sheep) before Christmas gets here!   God bless you Mike!   You've provided awesome service to me over the years!
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Offline Gen273

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Re: The $.92 Arrow pictorial, for penny pinchers
« Reply #17 on: November 05, 2010, 11:43:00 PM »
COOL, GREAT POST!
Jesus Saves (ROM 10:13)

Offline Butch L

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Re: The $.92 Arrow pictorial, for penny pinchers
« Reply #18 on: November 06, 2010, 12:55:00 AM »
Thanks for sharing Mike. Great idea for affordable kids arrows.

Butch L
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Offline JAG

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Re: The $.92 Arrow pictorial, for penny pinchers
« Reply #19 on: November 06, 2010, 02:35:00 AM »
Mike, Now that's just Kool!
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"May The Good Lord Keep Your Bow Arm Strong and Your Heart and Arrows True!"
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