Birch Dowels as shafts?

[Minipyro23]

Just bought 100 36" imported 3\\8" Birch Dowels for 35 with shipping. Was going to go with bamboo but tonkin bamboo is a lot more work. I havn't heard many people using birch and was wondering if it is good for arrows and what arrow woods it is similar too. Also what do you think a 30" 3\\8" birch would spine at? Thanks

[mjlaychur]

Check the spine and group them, then check the straightness and try to straighten them, also check for grain runout, this makes a weak spot. You may be better off buying real arrow shafting. After you throw out all the rejects.

[**DONOTDELETE**]

I know there is a llot of members that use lam-birch shafts...


I guess they would spine around 200#'s

[jacobsladder]

contact scattershot...he is very familiar with the dowels....

[Falk]

100pc. for $35, including shipping?!?
Well worth the try I guess. I shoot regular birch shafts (not laminated) but for that money I can get me about 12 - whitout the shipping!

You might end up with many different spines though. My source for birch has them listed from 40-75# in 11/32" and from 50-90# in 23/64". Higher spines should also be available but the list ends here. But this should give you an idea about the weaker side of them.

Birch is durable, good to work with and taper with handtools, nice weight - probably 700-750gr as 3/8" shaft.

[Minipyro23]

Yeah, I thought the price was very good too. I think it will all work out pretty good or its at least worth a go. But 700-750 grains as a shaft, are you sure that is correct?

[jchunt4ever]

Falk, where are you getting those birch shafts from? I purchased a couple dozen about 2 years ago, and love them. I need some more and havn't been able to find them for about the past year or so.

[SCATTERSHOT]

I have made arrows from birch, and they are considerably heavier than cedar, and make a great arrow. 700 grains is not a misprint, for some of them. The 3/8" dowels will spine fairly stiff, I had a couple that went over 100#. Even with culls, .35 cents per shaft is well worth playing with. If there is any doubt, though, pitch the dowel or use it for a tomato stake. Look for grain runout (hard to do sometimes) and knots.

Leave them long at first, and go from there.

Good luck!

[glenkans]

If your going to get serious about archery,you need a spine tester.You could plan on buying pre-made arrows the rest of your life but you'll be missing most of the fun.Just bite the bullet and spend the money.Or make your own.A spine tester is a necessity for most arrrow builders and you'll never regret getting one.Oh by the way ,those dowells make great arrows but the spine varies greatly.Only one way to test them.Spine tester.Best wishes,Glen

[Falk]

Minipyro,
I meant to say that the complete arrow will probably fall into that range.

JC,
I buy my shafts from www.whitewood.de
Jürgen Arnold does a good job and I am really satisfied with his quality. His website is only available in German though. But nevertheless have a look. With all the archery stuff we are used to import from the US, why shouldn't you get shafts from over here?!?

[Minipyro23]

Thanks for all the replys, I may get an arrow spiner later on down the road but I don't really need one yet. These arrows will be for small game and target so they don't have to be perfect. And 700 grains as a whole arrow is a relieve to hear, after I get the supplies I'll weigh them to see how much they are. 3rivers said it takes 7-10 days though so it might be a while for the nocks and tips.

[Tall Paul]

I recently had a dozen white birch arrows made by Bill at Allegheny Mountain arrow works.

These finished out at 730-750 grains (includes 125 grain tip) and 90-95 spine.  They're also 32" from the BOP to VON.

They shoot just fine, look great, just too heavy (too slow) for me.

They're also for sale by the way.