How to Build Bamboo Arrows w/ Home Depot Garden Stakes

[mulie]

Would these shafts be suitable for mounting stone points?
Thanks,
Judd

[DEATHMASTER]

Very nicely done.
Great build along.

[Bavarian]

Thanks, very interesting and good to follow!
Shot Bamboo arrows for a while back and they fly! Will try to make some too.

[Mark Baker]

Nicely done!

[tenbrook]

Originally posted by mulie:
Would these shafts be suitable for mounting stone points?
Thanks,
Judd

Sure would my friend.  In fact they would be perfect IMO!  

[tenbrook]

Bamboo Arrow Build-A-Long

Now I'm going to show you how to attach Glue-On Broadheads and Glue-On Nocks.

 

First drill the front of the shaft (point end, fat end) with a 1/4" drill bit a little over 3" deep.  The shaft will want to split so go slow.

 

Next cut a 3" peice of 1/4" hardwood dowel.

 

Squeeze in some Gorilla Glue.  I like Gorilla Glue because it fills the gaps. Any glue will do. Then I wet my 3" piece of 1/4" dowel (Gorilla Glue likes one side wet) and insert it in the shaft.

 
 
 

[tenbrook]

Now lets do the same thing on the nock end.

 

Drill the back of the shaft (nock end, skinny end) with a 3/16" drill bit a little over 2" deep.  The shaft will want to split so go slow.

 

Next cut a 2" peice of 3/16" hardwood dowel.

 

Squeeze in some Gorilla Glue.  I like Gorilla Glue because it fills the gaps. Any glue will do. Then I wet my 2" piece of 3/16" dowel (Gorilla Glue likes one side wet) and insert it in the shaft.

 
 
 

[tenbrook]

Once the glue is dry we can taper the ends and glue on the Point and Nock.

 

Use a taper tool on the Point and nock end.

 
 

Clean up both ends with some sandpaper.

 
 

[tenbrook]

Once tapered you can mount either a Field Point or a Broadhead.  I'm going to mount a Broadhead.

 

Place the broadhead on the stove and let it heat up.

 

While the Broadhead is heating up melt a little Hot Melt Glue on the tip of your shaft.

 

Next use plyers or an oven mit to pick up your hot Broadhead.  Place Broadhead on the tip with Hot Melt Glue and spin it until it gets a nice fit.  Once it feels like its on there centered put it under cold water to cool the Broadhead and set the glue.

 

Finished.

 

[tenbrook]

Bamboo Arrow Build-A-Long

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

[Bladepeek]

Once this has run its course in the PowWow forum, it sure needs to be placed in the build along forum.

One of the better ones I've seen. I need to try this  

[Alltalk]

Awesome  I like the photos......shoot some groups

[mulie]

I bought some bamboo at Home Depot and started following your build along.  I broke several shafts while trying to straighten the nodes using a heat gun. I heated them to the point I felt they were about to smoke and they never softened up.  The area between nodes was easy.  Am I just not heating them enough?  Also by forcing them to bend, am I creating an area of weakness in the node?  Thanks for any advice.
Judd

[Hubi]

Great build along!!      

[JEFF B]

way cool have you ever thought of using inserts from alum shafts its a lot more easy to do and you can use the arrow for hunting or target just by changing the heads  

[kennym]

Nice job Cody!! Thanks for all the time you put in it!

[tenbrook]

Originally posted by mulie:
I bought some bamboo at Home Depot and started following your build along.  I broke several shafts while trying to straighten the nodes using a heat gun. I heated them to the point I felt they were about to smoke and they never softened up.  The area between nodes was easy.  Am I just not heating them enough?  Also by forcing them to bend, am I creating an area of weakness in the node?  Thanks for any advice.
Judd

Just get em' nice and hot and they will bend.  If they are real crooked and need to be bent a bunch sometimes they break.  I use a heat gun and rotate the shaft as I am heating it.  The shaft will actually start to "sweat" right as it becomes soft enough to bend.  Also dont be afraid of a few burn marks.  Won't hurt anything.

Hope this helps!

Also be sure to post some pictures of your finished arrows when your done.  I would love to see them!  

[tenbrook]

Originally posted by JEFF B:
way cool have you ever thought of using inserts from alum shafts its a lot more easy to do and you can use the arrow for hunting or target just by changing the heads      

I have not tried it.  Sounds real cool though!

[tenbrook]

Originally posted by kennym:
Nice job Cody!! Thanks for all the time you put in it!

Thanks Kenny!  

[tenbrook]

Originally posted by Hubi:
Great build along!!          

Thanks Bud!