Dowel maker

[Agbowyer]

David, I was posting while you were sending. I didn't notice any problems on the hickory, but I'm going to do some ash probably this weekend. I got an extra blade, but I assume you sharpen just like a plane blane....Chris

[D. Tiller]

Chris, those Hickory shafts must be really HEAVY! I'm going a bit lighter with the VG fir but I can never get the spine down at 3/8" to where I can use it with my 65# longbow. How do you adjust the cut or the shaft diamiter after running it throug the tools to eaqual the spine you want?

Also, how sharp should I make the blad?

David T.

[Agbowyer]

Hickory ia a heavy wood, but very tough. I adjust the spine by sanding. The tool has two set screw to adjust the blade. I adjusted mine then checked diameter. As far as sharpness, by the time I finish you could shave with the blade. I use a fine file and then strop with leather to polish the blade. Works good for me... Chris

[D. Tiller]

I will try the fine file. I have been using stones and it takes forever to try and get the blade sharp.

David

[Badger]

I have a big commercial dowel maker that will cut dowels up to 1", It cuts by using a spinning cutting head and the arrow just pushes straight through. The head is turning at around 7500 rpms. I am thinking of building a smaller slightly quieter version for my arrows. If adjust just right it will give you a highly polished burnished arrow right out of the machine, but tends to load up with some woods then starts tearing chunks out. Steve