lathe

[GaryR]

My buddy just got a wood lathe for turning out duck calls. Could I use it to make arrows shafts?
Gary

[footfootfoot]

You can but it can be tricky. Turing thin spindle stock requires a few tricks and or special tools.  Image search "Spindle steady"
Your tools need to be razor sharp, use gouges not scrapers- a thin spindle won't suffer much pressure from the tool without chattering and whipping.

I'd try to turn an arrow on a lathe as a last resort, I'd try a plane or a router table first, and I've done many hundreds of hours of turning.

But, don't let me discourage you from trying, just be prepared for a challenge!

[Badger]

Very easy to make a jig that will hold a router for turning arrows, you can cut about 1 a minute and only takes about 1 hour or less to make the jig. Do a web search for arrow making jig, or shaft shooter.

[ErictheViking]

http://www.highlandwoodworking.com/dowelmakingjig.aspx      and this was interesting   http://woodgears.ca./dowel/making.html   hope these give you ideas.

[ErictheViking]

you have to include the entire line for the second link to get you all the way to the right page.

[GaryR]

Thanx guys, I'll see what I can do.
Gary

[Tom Leemans]

Thanks for posting that link Eric. That's something any wood worker has the tools to do!

[footfootfoot]

Very easy to make a jig that will hold a router for turning arrows, you can cut about 1 a minute and only takes about 1 hour or less to make the jig. Do a web search for arrow making jig, or shaft shooter.

Ha ha. You're right,  too true! Silly me, thinking like a primitive turner. 

Eric, that dowel making rig with the drill and chisel is fantastic. Thanks for the link