Bamboo arrows

[Doods70]

Greetings. I have been making bamboo arrows for a while now. The ones I have grow in my yard and are Thai Bamboo. They are tapered, one end being larger diameter than the other. I use to always use the larger diameter end to glue on a top hat steel point because of FOC.

I recently harvested a new batch and the end points are too large for my points, the back end however is the perfect diameter for the point (approx 9mm). My question is, can I use the smaller diameter end as the point? The FOC is just around the middle and the larger diameter end will be the nock. I plan to do self nocks.

Thank you all in advance.

[Tejasmick]

If the balance is at the center of the shaft, diameter should not make a big difference except in dynamic spine.  You might find the arrows shot a little weak because the arrow is stiffer on the back end.  Shorten the shaft (especially the nock end) and tune for good flight.  Otherwise, no.  Either end should work.

[Doods70]

Thank you for this. Will do just that.

When you say the arrow will be stiffer in the back end, is this because the larger diameter at the back  has thicker "walls"?

Thank you

[Tejasmick]

It is a natural material so one never knows how it grow; but yes.  Larger and thicker will make it stiffer.  A stiffer rear section will make a shaft fly a little weaker than one might expect.

[Doods70]

Thanks again for the help.

[Pat B]

I have tapered the big end to accept a glue on point with cane arrows. The cane is slightly bigger in diameter than the point but I doubt it would impede penetration very much.
Some Native Americans did use the big end of cane or shoot shafts for the nock probably because they used a pinch grip and needed a larger diameter for the bulbous nock.

[Doods70]

Thank for all the input. Here are the results.

https://www.facebook.com/823156541131239/photos/pb.823156541131239.-2207520000.1442757888./823173751129518/?type=1&theater

Thank you.

[Pat B]

From what I an see they look good. A few suggestion if I may...Use a thinner wrap at the nock. Being thick the wrap you used can hit and damage your hand. Smoother wraps look better and help with the aerodynamics of your arrow.
Also, round off any sharp edges around the nock so the string isn't damaged from the sharp edges.
Not a necessity but if you use a thin wrap at the forward end of the fletching can prevent hand damage also.
 Now for the real question...How do they fly?

[M60gunner]

For wraps I would use silk thread and wrap like wrapping the guides on a fly rod. For the arrows I would go with 4000 size thread. It is a little fatter than the 6000 size I use but easier to apply with out a wrapping jig.
I like the way you finished the bamboo. You did a great job of smoothing the nodes. Did you heat treat the shafts?

[Doods70]

Thank you. Will look for thinner wraps next time. I air dried the shafts for approx a month. Then heat straightened over our stove. Sanded down up to 1000 grit.

I was hoping to bake them as well so they get tempered and turn a darker brown but still need to get a DIY video somewhere so I can build the oven.

I sprayed with clear laquer and fletched.

They are heavy and some are nock right and obviously stiff off a 38 lbs recurve off the shelf. No issues with nock low or high. They fly well but not for competition unless I can get them all the same weight, spine and all nodes line up. So, i might as well used my carbons. These are purely for fun and shooting something that was hand-made. Right guys?

Thanks for the help again.