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Author Topic: Horn nock inserts  (Read 26654 times)

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Offline adb

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Horn nock inserts
« on: December 28, 2012, 03:10:12 pm »
Everyone keeps asking me how I do my horn nock inserts... well, here goes. Select and cut your horn pieces. I cut the nock insert slot on my bandsaw (yes, it's cheating) with the grain of the shaft. Fit each piece individually by sanding out the slot.
« Last Edit: December 28, 2012, 03:50:24 pm by adb »
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Offline adb

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Re: Horn nock inserts
« Reply #1 on: December 28, 2012, 03:13:05 pm »
Then I glue in each piece with 5 min epoxy. Clamp and let dry. Notice how I leave a bit of extra horn, so I have something to hold on to while gluing.
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Offline adb

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Re: Horn nock inserts
« Reply #2 on: December 28, 2012, 03:16:24 pm »
After the epoxy hardens, I hit them with the belt sander and knock off the extra horn and glue. Easy-peasy.
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Offline adb

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Re: Horn nock inserts
« Reply #3 on: December 28, 2012, 03:20:35 pm »
After that, I taper the last third of the shaft by hand on the belt sander down to 3/8". I put a pencil mark around the shaft where I want the taper to start. Keep going (gently) until you have a nice taper down to 3/8". I roll the shaft with one hand, and apply gentle pressure with the other. Change rolling direction every once in a while.
« Last Edit: December 28, 2012, 03:52:31 pm by adb »
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Offline adb

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Re: Horn nock inserts
« Reply #4 on: December 28, 2012, 03:24:30 pm »
Then I cut in the nocks with a round tile cutting hack saw blade. I usually go 1/4" to 3/8" deep.
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Offline adb

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Re: Horn nock inserts
« Reply #5 on: December 28, 2012, 03:27:27 pm »
Last step is to round the end, and I also cut a small V groove on the edge of each nock. This is only cosmetic. I just think it looks better.
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Offline adb

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Re: Horn nock inserts
« Reply #6 on: December 28, 2012, 03:29:02 pm »
That's it. Pretty simple, actually. I hope this helps someone!
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Offline Dag

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Re: Horn nock inserts
« Reply #7 on: December 28, 2012, 04:32:48 pm »
Excellent how-to!
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Offline AngelDeVille

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Re: Horn nock inserts
« Reply #8 on: December 28, 2012, 07:21:23 pm »
I like the added V groove, it seems to me it's practical in that it would eliminate the string pinching out of the nock.  (I use a thumb draw and a super short bow)
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Offline Easternarcher

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Re: Horn nock inserts
« Reply #9 on: December 29, 2012, 02:40:32 pm »
ADB, I don't make war arrows and when I try this method on 3/8th shafts, I have little room for error and not alot of wood on each side of the slot, and also it concerns me when I see gaps in my slot fit...I hope the glue will adequately fill the gaps..any tips?
Thanks.
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Offline Loki

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Re: Horn nock inserts
« Reply #10 on: December 29, 2012, 02:55:45 pm »
You can make the inserts thinner for smaller shafts, infact i sand all my inserts down to 2mm even for war arrows.
« Last Edit: December 29, 2012, 03:04:20 pm by Loki »
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Offline adb

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Re: Horn nock inserts
« Reply #11 on: December 29, 2012, 04:13:41 pm »
Quote from: Loki on December 29, 2012, 02:55:45 pm
You can make the inserts thinner for smaller shafts, infact i sand all my inserts down to 2mm even for war arrows.

Agreed. I make my inserts for smaller shafts much less thick. You need to be very precise in getting your slot cut straight and in the middle of the shaft. I cut the slot slightly undersize, and then fit each piece by sanding the slot.
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Offline Easternarcher

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Re: Horn nock inserts
« Reply #12 on: December 29, 2012, 10:32:46 pm »
These horn strips at 2.mm now so I'll try to shave a few down and see.
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Offline toomanyknots

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Re: Horn nock inserts
« Reply #13 on: December 30, 2012, 03:51:40 pm »
Nice buildalong, thank you, very helpfull!
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"The way of heaven is like the bending of a bow-
 the upper part is pressed down,
 the lower part is raised up,
 the part that has too much is reduced,
 the part that has too little is increased."

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Offline Loki

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Re: Horn nock inserts
« Reply #14 on: December 30, 2012, 07:42:21 pm »
Quote
I have little room for error and not alot of wood on each side of the slot, and also it concerns me when I see gaps in my slot fit...I hope the glue will adequately fill the gaps..any tips?

I use a backsaw to make the cut, slowly and carefully to keep it straight. If you're using power tools you can make a simple jig to do the job. I use files and paper to get the insert to fit then clamp it shut smothered in superglue.



Horn rod inserts are a lot trickier to do, they have a nice snap on the string but they're a nightmare to make!
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Durham,England
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