Author Topic: Eastern Red Cedar arrows ??  (Read 6786 times)

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Offline hedgeapple

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Eastern Red Cedar arrows ??
« on: February 07, 2009, 02:54:08 am »
Would Eastern cedar make a good arrow?
Dave   Richmond, KY
26" draw

Offline Pat B

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Re: Eastern Red Cedar arrows ??
« Reply #1 on: February 07, 2009, 10:37:04 am »
I haven't made arrows out of ERC but I believe that it would make good arrows... but maybe light in weight. Use the clearest, straightest wood you can find.
Make the most of all that comes and the least of all that goes!    Pat Brennan  Brevard, NC

Offline hedgeapple

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Re: Eastern Red Cedar arrows ??
« Reply #2 on: February 07, 2009, 11:52:55 am »
Thanks PatB.  I friend has a saw mill.  He cut large forest growth ERC to build his cabin.  He gave me a couple of leftover cedar board. I was able to cut four 1/2 x1/2 staft blanks for one of them.  The grain is pretty straight and they're clear of knots.  I've plained one of them so far.  I'm planning of straightening it tomorrow.  Should I heat treat it to harden it?
Dave   Richmond, KY
26" draw

Offline xin

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Re: Eastern Red Cedar arrows ??
« Reply #3 on: February 07, 2009, 01:18:02 pm »
Hedge, Are you using sapwood or heartwood?

Offline Pat B

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Re: Eastern Red Cedar arrows ??
« Reply #4 on: February 07, 2009, 03:04:19 pm »
Hedge, I've never made ERC arrows so I don't know about tempering. Take a scrap piece and give it a try.
Make the most of all that comes and the least of all that goes!    Pat Brennan  Brevard, NC

Offline hedgeapple

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Re: Eastern Red Cedar arrows ??
« Reply #5 on: February 07, 2009, 04:51:10 pm »
The wood is red, so I"m thinking heart wood.
Dave   Richmond, KY
26" draw

Offline ricktrojanowski

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Re: Eastern Red Cedar arrows ??
« Reply #6 on: February 07, 2009, 11:58:23 pm »
If it is red it's heartwood.  They will probabably be on the light side and somewhat fragile (like POC) But they will probably smell nice if they break ;)
Traverse City, MI

Offline Hillbilly

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Re: Eastern Red Cedar arrows ??
« Reply #7 on: February 08, 2009, 10:48:28 am »
I'm like Rick-they'll be good arrows until you hit a rock (the same is true of commercial POC shafts, though-like Pat said). They'll sure be purty, though.
Smoky Mountains, NC

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Offline hedgeapple

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Re: Eastern Red Cedar arrows ??
« Reply #8 on: February 08, 2009, 10:09:57 pm »
Thanks guys for your input.  If I'm hearing you correctly, the sap wood would be better for the arrows of Eastern cedar?
Dave   Richmond, KY
26" draw

Offline ricktrojanowski

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Re: Eastern Red Cedar arrows ??
« Reply #9 on: February 08, 2009, 10:55:50 pm »
Hedgeapple-  I don't think that the sapwood would make better arrows than the heartwood.  What I responded earlier just sounded that way.  I would go with the heartwood.
Traverse City, MI

Offline hedgeapple

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Re: Eastern Red Cedar arrows ??
« Reply #10 on: February 09, 2009, 12:23:12 am »
Rick, thanks for carifying.  Since I've already cut the cedar into 1/2 squares, I'll go ahead and work them out.  If they break, they break.  If I really like them, I'll make more.   :)
Dave   Richmond, KY
26" draw

Offline ricktrojanowski

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Re: Eastern Red Cedar arrows ??
« Reply #11 on: February 09, 2009, 09:41:20 pm »
I agree.  Go for it.  All arrows break .  The ERC will make some real pretty arrows.  Make sure you post some pics. when you get them finished.
Traverse City, MI