Couple simple arrow questions.

[triggerfinger]

I got a TON of jap arrow boo that I cut a month ago and it seems ready to continue with.  Im gonna make a spine tester like the one PatB has, the one with a dial indicator.  But wanna know dk the arrows have to be straightened first.

Also, ive seen that feathers can be dyed, can boo shafts be dyed?  I think it might make my practice shafts easier to find when I miss. 

[mullet]

 You'll need to straighten them. You will change the spine when you put heat to the boo. I would think you could dye them after you sand or scrape off the protective rind. But, then you'll change the spine again.

If I had a Ton of them, I wouldn't bother looking for lost ones.

[Pat B]

I made one of the uprights on my spine tester adjustable(as per Artcher1  ) just for uneven shafting like cane or hardwood shoots. Each time you check spine you have to zero in the shaft to the dial indicator plunger. ..so that is at least 4 times per shaft.

[triggerfinger]

Pat B. Does that mean you would prefer a diff method

[Pat B]

That's the method Art Butner(Artcher1) tought me.

[bowtarist]

I use leather dye to dye shafts with.  Never boo though, I've never used it. I put the dye on, let it dry and than rub it good with a soft piece of leather or some sheep hide (hair side) to get off any dye that wants to come off.  If you got a TON of it, you've got enough to try all kinds of different things.  Two thumbs up to that!!

[stickbender]

     If these are going to be practice arrows, good ol florecent orange spray paint, at the nocks, and a splash or two before the fletching.   Or some white feather down at the nock, and before the fletching.  Anything to stand out from the surrounding material that your arrow might try to hide in.

                                                          Wayne

[triggerfinger]

     If these are going to be practice arrows, good ol florecent orange spray paint, at the nocks, and a splash or two before the fletching.   Or some white feather down at the nock, and before the fletching.  Anything to stand out from the surrounding material that your arrow might try to hide in.

                                                          Wayne

Now i feel stupid    Never thought of just painting the things

[stickbender]

     It wasn't an original idea, it was on here before.  I just happened to remember it.

                                                                 Wayne

[Pat B]

Even though these aren't cane arrows they were crowned with Krylon spray paint and crested with craft paint...




A light sanding with very fine sand paper on the cane will help paint stick and dye penetrate. Be sure to do some test runs to be sure you like the effect. 

[triggerfinger]

Those are beautiful Pat, whats the fuzzy stuff near the nock?

[Pat B]

They are tracers so I can see where the arrow hits. They are made out of strips of dyed rabbit fur from a fly tying shop.   When you shoot the arrow the tracers lay flat against the shaft but when the arrow hits the tracers flare showing where the arrow hit.

[andy thomas]

those are nice pat will have to try the tracer fur. might help me see the dang arrows(glasses  )

[triggerfinger]

thats cool, never heard of tracers before.  Great idea

[bowtarist]

I've never used tracers, but they sell them in the 3Rivers catalog.  Maybe give you an idea of how big they are to make your own.  Might be good to use if hunting in tall grass and thickets.