Arrow Fabrication - Suggestions for saw, jigs, etc

[ArrowCraCra]

Hi everyone,

I am getting set up to make my own arrows and I have been searching around for jigs, saws, feathers, adhesives, and arrow making supplies in general but I am a little overwhelmed.    :eek:  
Question 1)

From your experience in making arrows what would you suggest to a newbie and where would you go to get the following?:

Jig
Saw
other tools?
Feathers
Adhesives
other solvents that may be needed for cleaning shafts?

Question 2) How to...?

What is your advice on making the process efficient and predictable?

What helical do you place on your fletchings (right hand shooter)? R/L/Straight


Thank you!

[JEFF B]

ok number one wood arrows or carbon if wood to cut em i use a sharp and i do mean sharp knife then i self nock em with a little hand saw and file then put some sinew around the nock end for the other end i  use a arrow sharpener the ones that look like a pencil sharpener then put ya fletching on using a fletching jig i use a right hand helical. i am sure someone else will tell ya different any how just have fun making them. as for ya first question i would have a look on here for the jig  saw if you want one feathers adhesives if you are going to use carbon shafts you will need the solvent to clean the shaft before putting on your fletch only if you use plastic ones other than that soap and water will do fine then dry em and fletch. i hope this has helped oh btw any good jig will do   i use a jojan cheep but works   :thumbsup:oh and as far as right hand and left hand no dif  if you shoot right you can shoot left hand fletch or straight  

[TxAg]

I'm gona watch this thread. I'm tired of having someone else cut and fletch my arrows. I need to just buy the stuff and learn to do it myself.  

[ArrowCraCra]

Jeff B - My go to arrows are aluminum (cheep) but I do shoot carbons also.  

TxAg - right on, I agree - DIY time!

[old_goat2]

PM me your email and I'll send you a little article I wrote for our archery club. Can't tell you all the stuff you need for woodies, but here is what I use for carbons.
Bitzenberger Jig, your choice on RW or LW
Weston High Speed arrow saw
Bohning Platinum for feathers
Gorilla Super Glue Gel for inserts, or the bohning hot melt, if you go with super glue, the gorilla is plasticized and is extremely impact resistant.
91% isopropyl alcohol-DO NOT USE RUBBING ALCOHOL

[Biathlonman]

Cheap cut off saw from Harbor freight, abrasive wheels from ****.  Fletching jig of your choice, glue or tape of your choice.

[M60gunner]

How much effort are you willing to expend? Alum. and carbons can be made up real quick with a fletching jig, feathers, the CORRECT glue,and a razor saw and miter box from the hobby store.
I do prefer a cutoff saw that I got from Harbor Freight. I made a jig to hold the shaft in place so I can cut each shaft the same length. All the items needed can be had from any number of Trad Gang sponsors listed above. Maybe to get started get the arrow making DVD from 3Rivers.
Good luck and welcome to one of the benefits of trad archery, DYI.

[old_goat2]

Originally posted by M60gunner:
How much effort are you willing to expend? Alum. and carbons can be made up real quick with a fletching jig, feathers, the CORRECT glue,and a razor saw and miter box from the hobby store.
I do prefer a cutoff saw that I got from Harbor Freight. I made a jig to hold the shaft in place so I can cut each shaft the same length. All the items needed can be had from any number of Trad Gang sponsors listed above. Maybe to get started get the arrow making DVD from 3Rivers.
Good luck and welcome to one of the benefits of trad archery, DYI.

"DYI" Do Yourself In????  :D

[Jakeemt]

Originally posted by ArrowCraCra:
Jeff B - My go to arrows are aluminum (cheep) but I do shoot carbons also.  

TxAg - right on, I agree - DIY time!

Hey man no need for a saw to cut aluminums. Go to auto zone and get a small pipe cutting tool made for cutting brake lines. Works great and costs about 10 bucks. to chamfer the inside you can chuck a little pointed sanding stone from a dremel tool in your drill or use a case chamfer tool from lee reloading. either one works well. I started building my own and aluminum has been very easy and forgiving to work with for a total noob like me.

[LittleBen]

For carbons, you can cut them off with basically anything you can get to cut them, but cut them 1/4" long and then finish them on a disc sander with medium paper. I've done it many times, make sure you have sufficient dust collection though. Arrows saws are expensive and many people already have a disc/belt sander.

[ArrowCraCra]

M60 - what is the "the CORRECT glue"?

Good advice everyone.  Thanks.  Are there any out there that have a specific setup(s) and method you use or arrow making stations that you use?

Products that work, that did not work that kind of a thing?

   :confused:

[M60gunner]

Opps, DYI, My IPad has a mind of it's own.
As to your question about what fletch, right or left,the old standby was right handed use right wing, left handed use left wing. But... alot of folks do not use that rule anymore and their reasons are varied. There are threads here devoted to this subject. Some folks do not care either way.
For years I cleaned my alum. shafts with Comet cleanser and hot water. No need for the fancy shaft cleaner. Carbons are another story, I use acetone or Fletch-Laq thinner to wipe then down. I prefer wraps on carbons because I have never had a feather fall off using wraps and fletch-tite glue. Agian these are my experiences and others may do the same or have a way that works for them. In the end you will find what works for you.

[Alexander Traditional]

I use a tube cutter to cut aluminum and carbon arrows. They come out really straight and need very little if any truing up. I use a BPE fletcher and Bohning Fletch Tite Platinum glue. I use wraps on carbons and just clean the shaft good for aluminum.

[ArrowCraCra]

Good stuff M60 and Alex.  Thanks

[TxAg]

Originally posted by Alexander Traditional:
I use a tube cutter to cut aluminum and carbon arrows. They come out really straight and need very little if any truing up. I use a BPE fletcher and Bohning Fletch Tite Platinum glue. I use wraps on carbons and just clean the shaft good for aluminum.

Any trouble with the carbon splintering?...i guess you just take it slow with easy pressure?  I've wanted to try this but have always been cautioned against it regarding carbons.

[Alexander Traditional]

Tx Ag i've not had any trouble with splintering. I do however run a bead of super glue around the end that I cut and it soaks down in,just in case. You are right about going slow. If you start out too fast especially on aluminum it will get crooked on the first round.

[TxAg]

Thanks guys


Regarding fletching, is it worth the extra money to get a multi fletcher vs a single?

[Alexander Traditional]

Originally posted by TxAg:
Thanks guys


Regarding fletching, is it worth the extra money to get a multi fletcher vs a single?

It just depends on your personal taste. I have no problem with the single. I put one in and go about mowing the grass or whatever it is I"m doing,and then just swing buy in about ten minutes and put another feather on,and before you know it you've got a half a dozen arrows fletched.

[Real Buckmaster]

What Biathlonman  says: is how I do it. I just bought the saw this weekend from harbon freight and cut 4 dozen carbons no problem works great $32

[Rob DiStefano]

you need to first check out the how to resources forum!